Table of contents for 08 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“The soaps cleverly cover filming in advance…” Well, I’m looking forward to seeing our soaps resplendent in a shimmering blanket of snow come the spring, when scenes filmed recently hit our screens. Hopefully, we’ll be watching those gleaming white fields and snow-capped rooftops on our TVs just as real life will be warming up, and we’ll be feeling the sunshine (come on, surely we deserve at least that this year!). I enjoy watching scenes set outside the Woolpack or out on the Square, where the temperature has quite obviously plunged to below zero, and the poor cast members are desperately trying not to look too freezing as they bravely suffer in their spring fashions. The soaps might have some clever tricks to cover filming in advance – such as planting…

Walford’s depleted Carter family is set to receive a welcome shot in the arm when Mick and Linda’s daughter Nancy returns this spring! Actress Maddy Hill is reprising the role that she left nearly five years ago, after Nancy swapped the Square for a fresh start in New Zealand with husband Tamwar Masood. So what brings her home to the East End? “There’s a lot of mystery surrounding Nancy’s return, and she’s coming back to a family which has been through a very difficult year – things are definitely not as Nancy left them,” teases Albert Square chief Jon Sen. “Maddy is a fantastic actor, and we feel very lucky to have her back in Walford.” Meanwhile, Laila Morse is leaving the role of Big Mo – and while it’s…

Following the huge success of Isaac and Lola’s date, Kim announces that she intends to set up her very own matchmaking business – called The Fox Catcher! Kim reckons she has a knack for spotting a red-hot love match, and also counts Denise and Jack as one of her success stories after pushing them to get back together. With that in mind, Kim pitches her services to bartender Mila, who’s seriously impressed with her pal’s matchmaking credentials. However, when Kim approaches Iqra and asks her if she’s willing to be set up on a date, what will be her response?…

Sharon’s hopes of a romantic reunion with ex-husband Phil are shot to pieces this week – thanks to Kat! Nobody knows the explosive secret about Kat and Phil’s shock affair, with both of them intent on keeping it a secret. However, while Kat is trying to play it cool by telling Phil she’s not bothered if he sees Sharon or not, it looks as if the Mitchell hard man wants to be a one-woman man. “It seems that hate has turned to passion for Kat and Phil – sparks are flying!” gasps our Walford gossip. “Sharon’s always been Phil’s true love, but even she can’t distract him from pursuing things with Kat. Poor Sharon ends up with egg on her face when she asks him if they can get back…

There’s a new Woolpack boss this week, as Charity signs over her share of the pub to Marlon. Having been shunned by her entire family thanks to her recent behaviour, Charity was stunned when Chas suggested she sell her half of the business – and it turned out she had Marlon lined up as a new partner! “The Woolpack is the last thing Charity has left in her life, so it pains her to sign it over to Marlon,” shares our Dales spy. “But with the Dingles against her, Charity feels that she has no choice but to comply with Chas’ wishes. Although, the fact that it’s a member of her own family taking the pub away from her sticks the knife in!” While Charity is gutted to lose her…

Dotty turns her hand to a spot of promotional work this week, using Tiff to lure rich city slickers to Ruby’s nightclub! Boss Ruby initially turns her nose up at the idea, pointing out that if Dotty were truly Tiff’s friend, she wouldn’t exploit her. But when Dotty appeals to Ruby again – catching her at a weak moment as she’s dealing with her baby drama (see p10) – she convinces her to let Dotty and Tiff host tables at the club. However, what will Keegan make of his wife’s new job?…

Ste is seriously worried about Sid’s safety this week, when he finds out that the teen is planning to take down Victor! Following the murder of his cousin Jordan, and his best pal Juliet’s subsequent incarceration for drug dealing, Sid has been busy compiling evidence against drugs boss Victor in an attempt to get him sent down. But when Ste finds out what Sid has in mind, he’s worried the lad could get killed! Will Sid take Ste’s concerns on board?…

That’s young Robert Sugden there, at the receiving end of Donna Windsor’s second-best pair of Kickers. As well as helping to turn the boy into the borderline sociopath we’ll know and love, this outrageous bullying also leads to big trouble for Donna, and expulsion for her friend Chelsea – who is unlucky enough to be on a guest actor contract. Elsewhere, Mandy is in two minds – which is a surprise to those who thought she barely has one – when Paddy’s controlling mum offers her a sack of cash to stay away from her darling boy and marry Butch instead. Who will she choose? Over at the hospital we find Kathy, numb with excitement after completing a 2000-piece jigsaw, poised to make a big decision about her future……

I feel as though Shirley is on track to figuring out what Gray’s done. No one has ever really fooled her, and if they have, they haven’t gotten away with it. I reckon it’ll just be a matter of time before Shirley finds out what kind of man Gray really is. Nancy When the truth comes out that Gray killed Tina, I really hope that Shirley is there to go after him, just like when she punched Katy in the middle of the street. I’m sure that Gray will get what’s coming to him eventually. Kylie, Bristol It’s very cold of Gray to get someone to pretend they’re Tina. I wonder whether he believes Mick and Shirley will fall for it, though. Tina’s not one to run away and ignore…

Glamorous real estate agent Susie McAllister arrives in Summer Bay this week, and instantly catches the eye of both Marilyn and John! But while Marilyn is merely coveting the newcomer’s chic style, John is clearly smitten with Susie from the get-go – so he’s delighted when she asks him to join her for dinner that evening. However, will the date be a success? Home and Away newcomer Bridie Carter, who plays Susie, fills us in… “Susie is quite taken by this charming and funny man,” she grins. “There’s something really wonderful about putting these two characters together, because Susie is very driven and confident, and speaks her mind – and John finds this dating thing extremely nerve-wracking, so ends up calling in Irene to hold his hand! Susie quickly points…

Between 1940 and 1941, 45,000 lives were lost as German planes dropped 32,000 tonnes of bombs on British cities in a period known as the Blitz. Despite devastating loss, food shortages and the constant terror of air raids, communities showed unbelievable strength, referred to as ‘Blitz spirit’. Historian Lucy Worsley uncovers the real-life stories of six individuals at the very heart of this horrific period in history, in a fascinating feature-length film… “For many, ‘Blitz spirit’ was a gung-ho attitude, uniquely British, that got us through the war,” explains Lucy. “For me, it’s the spirit of volunteering, helping out, putting yourself in harm’s way. It was definitely there among the people during that time, and we wanted to bring them to life by going back to their stories and using…

BULLSEYE! We really, really like Emmerdale’s Dawn now. We might not have known it at the height of all the Malone nonsense, but his murder cover-up has been the absolute making of her. And we’re really rooting for Dawn and Jamie. Their chemistry is proper Romeo & Juliet, true-love-thwarted-at-every-turn stuff… Plus, he’s much less of a complete and utter tool when she’s around.…

Abusive Geoff may be six feet under, but Yasmeen’s ordeal is still ongoing. And Shelley tells us she’s pleased that Coronation Street has shown that the effects of a controlling relationship can stay with you for years after… “It’s hugely important to show that the torment doesn’t stop when the abuse does,” admits the actress. “It’s a risk in a soap to carry on a storyline for the amount of time that we have, but having spent three years on research and commitment, it would be morally wrong to not follow Yasmeen’s story after the abuse ends. “People have been through court cases, have started to move on with their life, yet the mental scars don’t go away,” continues Shelley. “It’s important to show the full picture for all the…

Leanne and Simon will find themselves at the mercy of ruthless drug lord Harvey in the coming weeks – and look, the rotter in question is played by none other than TV star Will Mellor! Viewers have already seen Simon being lured into the murky world of drug-running by nasty Jacob, but we will soon learn that the lad is small fry compared to his dangerous boss… “Harvey is the first out-and-out baddie I’ve ever played – so I’m looking forward to making waves,” grins 44-year-old Will. “When I first started acting 32 years ago, it was my mum’s dream for me to be in Corrie, so I’m happy to finally be able to make it come true.” “Will is a fantastic actor who has thrown himself heart and soul…

Laurel continues to fret about Gabby this week – and her problems are only made worse when she realises that Jai is still worried about her drinking. With Gabby pregnant with Jamie’s child, Laurel is fearful over her teen stepdaughter’s involvement with the Tate family. She knows that the clan is bad news, and later admits to Jai that she’s scared of losing Gabby for good… “Gabby’s been growing a lot closer to the Tates,” our Dales sneak reminds us. “She’s been working at the HOP for a while now, and Kim has taken the lass under her wing after being impressed with her scheming against Dawn. So, now that Gabby’s carrying Jamie’s baby, Laurel’s concerned that she could grow closer to the family – and further away from her…

Unlikely pairing Phil and Kat have only just got together for a shock affair – so are we crazy to be hearing wedding bells already? The reason we’d put our money on Kat and Phil sharing a big day is down to a clue EastEnders dropped late last year. During Phil’s chat with legal eagle Richie about divorcing Sharon, the lawyer made a comment about “the next Mrs Mitchell”, just before Kat walked in. It was right then that we started placing our bets that an affair between Kat and Phil was on the cards – and that Kat would end up as Phil’s next missus. If they do go the distance, there’s every possibility that Kat could usurp Sharon’s role behind the bar at the Queen Vic too. Wouldn’t…

FAIR CITY ● Orla returns from Germany this week, and reveals to Dolores that Wayne’s dud investment has landed them in huge debt! Meanwhile, Mondo puts an end to Juliet’s growing influencer career. Plus, Damien and Dearbhla bond over a few beers… RIVER CITY ● Poppy wants Cameron to confess to his stalking this week, but when he realises what she’s up to, Cameron takes Poppy prisoner! Elsewhere, Caitlin finally confronts her daughter about Joe’s murder. And Amber rattles Alex with her latest business deal. THE ARCHERS ● Jazzer fills Johnny in on the details of his new squeeze this week, but Johnny is worried that his mate might be making a mistake. Meanwhile, Jim is attempting to do the right thing by his lodger as well as his new…

Lorraine’s concerns for Joe deepen while he continues to act strangely, so she makes the difficult decision to move to Walford permanently – accepting a job at the Vic from Grant. Joe’s delighted, especially when David joins them on a trip to Lancashire to collect a few essentials; possibly a hotpot and a box of Eccles cakes. However, when Joe works out that his dad is having an affair with Cindy, David has some difficult questions to answer. While in Bolton, Joe also visits his late sister Karen at the graveyard, and tells her that the “monsters” they used to be scared of are real, and out to get them. Eek! Back in London, David warns Cindy that they’ll need to move their plans forward……

BUTTON UP I’ve been watching Hollyoaks, and Cher is so stylish! I really loved the pearl-button vest she’s worn recently – where can I get one? Magda, Bedford Cher McQueen is very fashionable! We’ve found a smilar item from Lily Luly, called the Ribbed Pearl Button Front Mid Sleeve Crop Cardigan. It comes in blue, just like Cher’s, and in other colours too. ANCIENT HISTORY… I was shocked when Noah in Emmerdale said he wished that Charity had sold him as a child. What happened there? Marina, Manchester When it was revealed that Noah was Chris Tate’s son, Zoe wanted custody of her nephew. She made a deal with Charity to give her £10k for the custody of Noah and evidence that Chris committed suicide, to get Charity off…

Life couldn’t be more different away from the drama in Walford for Louisa, who has moved into a gorgeous new pad in north London with fiancé Ben Bhanvra. And as far as new arrivals go, the couple are now proud parents to their gorgeous cockapoo pup, Riley, who helped Ben give Louisa lots of love and fuss on her 32nd birthday recently… “I love him – but he is such hard work!” giggles the actress, talking about the dog. “Riley is four months old, and 100% it’s just like having a baby, because we’re literally discussing things like, ‘Who’s doing the feeds? Who’s getting up in the night?’ It’s mad! I never thought that I would ever get a dog, as I’ve never really been much of a dog person.…

Inside Soap has always been ‘Team Carla and Peter’ – yet when Carla’s handsome business associate Lucas arrived in Weatherfield, and attempted to entice her away for a night in a fancy hotel, we could totally see why she’d be tempted. Lucas is suave and charming, and unlike Peter, he doesn’t come with a lorry load of baggage… Lucas is back on the cobbles this week, and his return certainly has Peter worried that Carla might stray! As we sit down for a chat with actor Glen Wallace, who plays Lucas, he reveals that he’s having a great time putting the cat among the pigeons for one of Coronation Street’s most popular pairings. “Lucas doesn’t want Carla to waste her life like he did” “It’s a super way to be…

Now that we’re all wearing masks to protect ourselves from Covid, you could end up walking past one of your favourite soap stars and not even recognise them! Which might be good news for the soap star in question, if it means they can get on with their supermarket shop… So, can you work out which of your favourite soapies are behind these face masks? Check the answers below to see your score……

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Gordon Ramsay isn’t a name synonymous with game shows, but that’s about to change with Gordon Ramsay’s Bank Balance. The chef fronts the contest which tasks players to build their fortune. And, as Gordon tells us, the pressure is like that of a restaurant kitchen… “When I’ve got 25 chefs and a four-minute countdown, and I’m depending on them to come together in that time, it’s no different,” he explains. “This game is packed with jeopardy, as you’re up against the clock.” The premise is to correctly answer a set of 12 questions in order to stack 12 gold bars – worth £100,000 in total – on a tilting board. If the bars crash to the floor, you crash out of the game. Think Jenga on a multi-pronged see-saw… “That…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Faith Cadogan...................... Kirsty Mitchell Leon Cook....................... Bobby Lockwood Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh........................... William Beck Fenisha Khatri........................ Olivia D’Lima Marty Kirkby................ Shaheen Jafargholi Jade Lovall.......................... Gabriella Leon Lev Malinovsky........................... Uriel Emil Rashid ‘Rash’ Masum............. Neet Mohan Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan......................... Adam Hussain Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Edison Bailey......... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Adam Barlow................. Samuel Robertson Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Sarah Barlow........................... Tina O’Brien Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby.................... Georgia Taylor Emma Brooker............... Alexandra Mardell Chesney Brown.......................... Sam Aston Carla…

Hello, Amy! How were the birth scenes to film? Amy Well, I thought I’d have all of Christmas to prepare for it, but then the production team said they would be doing them before instead. So I was thrown right in, and I couldn’t overthink it. I spoke to all my friends and my sisters, and I sent text messages the night before asking for tips. I got one back saying, “Imagine being hit by a bus, then beaten up by a professional boxer, then rolled down a concrete hill, and you’re just about there!” Jurell, what about you? Did you get a father’s perspective from anyone? Jurell I spoke to Jeff Hordley [Cain], and he went into detail of his experience of births. Also, one of my nephews has…

Hollyoaks Will carved out a successful career on the back of playing Chester favourite Jambo Bolton, who was one of the original faces to shape the soap when it launched in 1995. Casualty After two years as ED receptionist Jack Vincent, Will blasted out of Casualty when his character died in a boat explosion! EastEnders In 2007, Will portrayed slimy salesman Warren Stamp, who attempted to assault Carly Wicks. Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps In one of his most popular roles, Will won a legion of fans as Gaz in the sitcom, alongside Sheridan Smith. Broadchurch As shifty psychic Steve Connelly, Will was among the all-star cast to keep viewers guessing in the first series of ITV’s hit murder-mystery series. Line Of Duty Will’s alter ego…

Leanne remains oblivious to the trouble Simon is in this week, as she books another consultation with a psychic. After her previous meeting with Crystal Moon, Leanne truly believes that speaking to a medium is the best way to contact her late son Oliver. But when Toyah calls round to see her sister, she’s alarmed to hear what Leanne has planned – and insists that she stay to hear for herself what the psychic has to say… “Toyah knows that Leanne is in a vulnerable state, and she fears this so-called psychic could be taking advantage of that,” explains our cobbles spy. “She wants to check out this guy for herself. So when Jeremy arrives, closes his eyes, and insists that he is making contact with Oliver, Toyah’s highly suspicious!”…

Not every character can come into a soap and be an instant hit with the fans. Especially when their mission is to break up one of the show’s most popular couples… “There’s been a lot of anger towards Summer for mixing things up between Brody and Sienna,” admits Rhiannon. “But she came in to cause trouble, so she’s not meant to be liked. There have been a lot of mixed opinions, although that just makes her all the more fun to play. It’ll be interesting to see how people react after this week! “Summer has been such a great character for me so far – there’s never a dull moment,” adds the star. “I can’t wait to see what trouble she continues to cause, and how much of sly Summer…

For Alan McKenna, the problem is not so much the revelation that his fiancée has slept with another man. Nor is it the worry that the baby she’s carrying might not be his. It isn’t even the way he discovers all this on his wedding day – while waiting at the altar, no less. It’s just, well… did it have to be Jim McDonald? Of all the men on this great, green Earth to be cuckolded by. Frankly, there’s no way not to take that hard. This all leaves bride Fiona not so much blushing as praying for the ground to open up and swallow her, the church, and all possible witnesses. As secrets go, her night of passion with Jim is in a toxic class of its own. When…

Faith is restored in the Dales this week – and by that we mean Chas and Cain’s madcap mum is back in the village for more mischief and mayhem! The Dingles thought they’d seen the last of Faith in 2019 when Cain exiled his mother from the village, after learning that she had kept him in the dark for years about his secret son Nate. So how will the family react to seeing her again? And just why is Faith hijacking a hearse when we first catch up with her? Returning star Sally Dexter spills the tea… Welcome back, Sally! How does it feel to be playing Faith again? I’m delighted! I’ve missed her dress sense, as I have none whatsoever! And I’ve missed the spark of playing someone who…

While Jim McDonald may seem an unlikely role model, Glen tells us that he was one of the people who inspired him to get into acting… “Growing up as a kid in Belfast, there wasn’t really an option of being an actor as a profession – you got a ‘proper’ job, for want of a better word,” he explains. “But growing up with Charlie Lawson on the telly as Jim McDonald, there was a representation for me as a working-class lad from Belfast, and going, ‘I know who that guy is, and if he can do it, then I can go and do it’. “I know Kerri Quinn [who played Vicky Jefferies, mum of Robert Preston’s secret baby in 2019] too, she’s a great girl,” adds Glen. “I actually went…

Congratulations to EastEnders star Lacey Turner (Stacey) and her husband Matt Kay, who have welcomed a healthy baby boy. The couple – who are already parents to 18-month-old daughter Dusty – announced that their son had arrived on 3 February, weighing 6lbs. “Matt and I are so completely besotted with our early surprise, and Dusty is so in love,” declared Lacey, as she revealed that their new bundle of joy arrived earlier than expected. “How lucky we all are!” At the time of going to print, there was no news on a name, but we’re sure it will be just as cool as his sister’s!…

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