Inside Soap UK 48 - 2020

“You can still watch the Inside Soap Awards!” Normally as you read this, I’d be waking up with a hangover and a really ugly selfie on my phone of me gurning alongside two picture-perfect Hollyoaks stars. So, I’m pleased to say that running the Inside Soap Awards as a virtual, online show this year has been good for both my health and self-esteem! If you missed the ceremony, you can still watch it on our YouTube channel or Facebook page – and you can check out our chats with all the winners in this issue. Our Inside Soap Awards 2020 section starts on p46. Elsewhere this week, we have our festive preview, where our stars give us a peek at what’s ahead. And if Christmas is on your mind, remember…

Yasmeen’s trial gets under way this week, and she finally gets the chance to tell the whole world the truth about her abusive husband Geoff. But will the jury believe her? It’s a terrifying – as well as empowering – moment for Yasmeen, as she comes face to face with her manipulative partner following months in prison. However, as she takes the stand to tell her version of events, Yasmeen finally finds the strength to reveal what really happened on the night that she lashed out at Geoff… “Yasmeen is buoyed by wanting to protect others” “Yasmeen is aware that this is her truth, and nobody else can say what went on in that room,” explains Shelley King, who plays the accused. “She’s also aware from her conversations with Alya…

Can Tim persuade Elaine to testify? Tim’s furious with himself this week, after he falls for his dad’s machinations and punches him – and in the process ruins his credibility as a witness! But Tim is given a glimmer of hope when the police reveal that they’ve tracked down Elaine, who is currently residing in a pyschiatric facility… Realising that this is his best chance to help Yasmeen, Tim heads to the hospital to visit Elaine. It’s an emotional moment for them both as Tim admits that he was wrong to believe his dad’s lies, and apologises to Elaine for not accepting that she was his birth mother sooner. However, as Tim begs Elaine to give evidence against his dad, will she agree? And can the pair of them finally…

This week marks the beginning of yet another classic ‘whodunnit?’ in Walford, after Ian is brutally attacked in the Queen Vic and left for dead! By the end of Friday’s episode, Ian’s enemies, old and new, are practically queuing up outside the pub to have a pop at the rotten weasel – after months of secrets, lies and betrayal finally catch up with him… “Ian is collecting enemies like trophies, and he has really dug himself a hole with many Albert Square residents,” concedes Adam Woodyatt, who plays him. “Ultimately, his downfall is that he is terrible with money – and he loves Sharon. Ian thought that by saving her and buying the Vic she would fall in love with him, but of course that didn’t happen. He ended up…

Adam is swapping Walford for the theatre… It’s no secret that, after 35 years of playing Ian, star Adam is due to take an extended break from EastEnders – and his alter ego’s attack is surely the catalyst that sparks his exit. Away from Walford, the actor will launch into another ‘whodunnit?’, playing the lead in a stage adaptation of Peter James’ murder-mystery, Looking Good Dead… “There aren’t many things that would persuade me to take a break from EastEnders, but this is one of them,” he says. “I can’t wait to tour the UK and perform in front of a live audience.” Visit www.peterjames.com for information on dates and venues.…

Liv finds herself tempted to do the unthinkable this week – by entering into a pact of silence with abusive Paul Ashdale. With Mandy still distraught about Vinny’s decision not to move into their family home, Paul is desperate to put the family back together and sees Liv as the major obstacle. He rightly assumes that she’s counselling Vinny to stay away, so heads over to catch her home alone and vulnerable. But as he locks the door and threatens the horrified teen, Liv collapses and suffers an epileptic fit. “Liv is the thorn in Paul’s side – he says it’s only ever gone wrong since she came along!” says Reece Dinsdale, who plays the Dales villain. “Paul knows she’s a smart cookie, and that she’s been in Vinny’s ear…