Table of contents for 43 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“It raises questions for the serious soap nerd” Well, I am shook by the news (see p13) that our soap faves will soon be giddily skipping between Walford and Weatherfield, Hollyoaks and Holby, in a wholly unexpected bid to drive the national conversation about global warming. But this worthy endeavour raises questions for the serious soap nerd. If Mick Carter and Kevin Webster exist in the same ‘universe’, then what of the time Dot Cotton said she never missed an episode of Corrie? (Kat replied she’d “rather watch me dirty laundry spinning about” – which is a bit pot-calling-the-kettle-black.) Or those occasions you’d spot the end credits of Emmerdale on the telly in the Beale house? Surely, now we have our first link-up, it won’t be long before the ITV…

All seven of Britain’s top continuing dramas will join forces for a historic crossover storyline to highlight the issue of climate change. The idea is the brainchild of Emmerdale executive producer Jane Hudson, who wanted to tell one important issue-based story across all the shows. Scenes have been filmed for Emmerdale, EastEnders, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Holby City, Casualty and Doctors to coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021. Excitingly for soap fans, this will mean cameos from characters in rival soaps, as well as references made to different shows. “Never before have all five soaps and both continuing dramas come together and united in telling one story. And we certainly haven’t seen characters pop up in other shows before,” said Jane. “This is a real treat for our…

DAVID & THEO Baby Theo was a Christmas Day bombshell for David and Jacob courtesy of paedophile Maya, who ditched her child on their doorstep. They didn’t know which of them the little boy belonged to until a DNA test proved he was David’s son. DOT & TOMAS Dot took in baby Tomas after he was abandoned in a church and later tried to help his illegal immigrant mum Anya. But when Anya was deported, Dot secretly kept Tomas – until worried Reverend Stevens and Dr Legg persuaded her to hand him back to social services. JASON & HOLLY Eileen was handed son Jason’s ‘baby girl’ on Christmas Day, only to later discover little Holly was Charlie Stubbs’ daughter. It turned out Charlie lied to Holly’s mum about his name,…

The drama involving survivors Mackenzie and Charity during the HOP challenge doesn’t come close to putting out their spark this week, as the troublesome pair bounce back from recent events by cooking up a new scam! If anything, the journey that Charity and Mack went on appears to have brought them closer – and if there are two people in the village who are all about living for the moment in the wake of a tragedy, it’s these pair of rascals. But some would argue that there’s a time and a place for such debauchery, and perhaps taking an innocent person for every penny in the current climate is pushing it… “Mack and Charity are itching to get involved in some mischief,” reports our Dales spy. “They are plotting in…

He’s a young man with a terminal condition, and Curtis has always seemed like a loner – so where are his family? We haven’t yet met Curtis’ mum or dad, or indeed anyone else significant in his life away from Weatherfield. The only person he’s introduced to Emma is his friend Danielle, whom he met at a support group. Does Sam want to find out more about where he comes from? “That’d be really interesting – I’d like to see him with his mum or dad because we haven’t seen much about his past or his upbringing,” he reasons. “I do think he lacks the experience of paternal or maternal care, which is why part of him is just surprised and confused that so many people in Emma’s world want…

We can talk about the Queens of Weatherfield until the cows come home, yet only on very special occasion do we see real royalty treading the cobbles. Earlier this year, The Queen visited the Street in honor of Corrie’s 60th anniversary – which is nominated in our Best Showstopper category. And it sounds as if the dramatic episodes featuring wicked Geoff’s demise and a bulldozer almost tearing down the houses have Her Majesty’s vote! “The Queen thought we were cool!” squeals Jennie. “I met her along with Alan, Maureen and Samia [Longchambon, who plays Maria] and it was difficult to explain the stories of our characters in the short time that we had with her. We just had to say, ‘It’s complicated, Ma’am’! “The crew also got to meet The…

“It’s great to be back,” beams EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, as she joins us to celebrate Stacey’s triumphant return to Walford (see p4), while in real life, Lacey is back after welcoming baby Trilby seven months ago. “It’s hard to keep up with all the drama in Albert Square as the show is on during the children’s bedtime [Lacey is also mum to two-year-old Dusty] – but I did manage to watch bits of it! I loved seeing how it all played out after Stacey went to prison, and I reckon she’s pleased that Ruby was sent down. Although, I’m sure Stacey will want her own revenge!” It sounds as if that’s a plot Lacey would relish as she glides back into Stacey’s shoes – but first, her alter ego…

There’s a devastating shock in store for Ste this week, when he learns that ruthless Fergus is selling his family’s home from under his nose! Ste attempts to stop the sale in its tracks – but actor Kieron Richardson, who plays him, tells us it could be too late… Hi Kieron! What’s going on with Fergus selling Ste’s house? Initially, Fergus saved the day by buying the house because Ste had no money – but it’s all gone wrong. Fergus is playing this massive game of Monopoly with the village, and he’s making his next move… How worried is Ste that he and the family will be homeless? Very! When Ste came back from Newcastle last year his aim was to turn his life around. But it wasn’t plain sailing,…

Ben Aldridge (DI Matthew Venn) Ben has had numerous screen roles, perhaps most famously as Captain James in Our Girl and Daniel Parish in Lark Rise To Candleford. He starred opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge as – ahem, a name we cannot print here – in hit BBC1 comedy Fleabag. Pearl Mackie (DS Jen Rafferty) Pearl is most recognisable as Peter Capaldi’s Time Lord companion Bill Potts in Doctor Who. She also played Lucy ‘One’, Jonny’s girlfriend in the brilliant Channel 4 comedy Friday Night Dinner. Dylan Edwards (DC Ross Pritchard) Dylan starred as Marc in BBC1/Netflix’s Wanderlust. He also played Billy in Roisin Conaty’s sitcom GameFace on Channel 4, and was in the coincidentally named sitcom Pramface on BBC3 as Mike.…

In the third of the current series, as former footballer now presenter Alex Scott delves into her family’s history, she discovers her close-to-home Jewish ancestry – and a shocking lineage to the slave trade. Here, Alex reveals what we can expect from the episode… Hi, Alex! Was tracing your family tree something you were always interested in? Absolutely! But I didn’t know how to go about it. So the brilliant team took all of the time and stress out of what can be a long and complicated process. You learn that your great-grandfather Phil was involved in the Battle of Cable Street in London in 1936. Having grown up in the East End, was that a surprise? I wasn’t aware of my family’s connection to Cable Street at all. It’s…

BULLSEYE! We don’t often see Kim get serious, but when she does, it’s compelling. Much as we laugh along with ‘the Kimfluencer’, it’s stories like her search for Vincent that make us care for Ms Fox-Hubbard. Tameka Empson did a great job of flipping between Kim’s hope and horror, and it’ll be fascinating to see what Kim does now she’s on to Phil. Maybe Mitchell has met his match! We’re offended on Diane’s behalf. Glory Years looks horrendous! But it shows the power of magazines… Diane saw this one and decided to leave the country! We love the team-up/ rivalry of Kat and Janine – they really spark off each other. Keep it going, gang! Ellis is going to feel real bad about how many people he emotionally blackmailed into…

With all the drama, it’s easy to forget that the sinkhole in David’s garden was orchestrated by wicked property tycoon, Ray Crosby, as part of his plan with Debbie to force the locals to sell their homes to make way for a new development. Ray’s handsome henchman turned up on David’s doorstep wearing a fetching orange onesie, posing as an inspector. Yet in actual fact, the man was sent to deliberately sabotage No 8 so that a sinkhole would appear! And while Debbie remained blissfully ignorant to some of Ray’s dirty tactics in the beginning, she was far from innocent. David ended up selling to Ray dirt cheap, but after the sleazy Bistro boss was arrested for locking Kevin and Debbie in a freezer, she sold the house back to…

The upcoming Neighbours episodes set in London will see TV and radio star Amanda Holden playing Harlow Robinson’s aunt Harriet. The Britain’s Got Talent judge filmed alongside Jemma Donovan [Harlow] to create the story in which the duo try to get to the bottom of a mystery surrounding Harlow’s late mum Prue. “If I had told my 13-year-old self that I would one day appear in Neighbours, I’d have never believed it!” said Amanda. “So many people were beeping in their cars!” Amanda isn’t the only big-name British star to bag a spot in Neighbours. Pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be dishing out advice to Harlow during scenes filmed near the London Eye. “Neighbours was a huge part of my school days. We all watched it, loved it, talked about…

There’s fresh hope for Nina this week, when she and Asha stumble upon vital evidence linking Corey to Seb’s murder. It’s Asha who first makes the connection when she sees Stu – a local homeless person – with a Weatherfield County backpack. He tells her that he found it in the river and fished it out, and Asha is convinced it’s the same bag Corey had with him on the night of Seb’s murder. However, when she tries to get the bag from him, Stu runs away. But now Nina and Asha have new hope of bringing Corey to justice. “This development is huge – Stu is inadvertently holding the key piece of evidence that could change everything,” explains our Weatherfield insider. “Corey was able to twist all the evidence…

There’s a drugs raid at Ruby’s club this week, as the police turn the place over looking for evidence, taking special care to search Dotty. While the sometime drug dealer claims to be going straight – and that all this drama is linked to her errant mum – the raid still has serious consequences. Not for Dotty, but for two men in her life… “Dotty’s in trouble, one way or another,” explains our source on the Square. “In her desperation, she turns the screws on her ‘Uncle Tom’ – better known to us as Rocky. She demands that he step up their plan to con Sonia out of Dot’s money, or else. At the same time, Dotty’s antics again contrive to knock Keegan’s love life off track…” Away from the…

“Whatever she’s up to, I’m going to find out, even if it kills me.” Victoria there, honking like heck on the Soap Klaxon of Doom. “Seriously what did my daughter ever see in you? Face of a fish, brains of a beetle.” Hashim disses Zeedan. That fish part is unfair. “I take my marital duties very seriously. She might look like a little runaround, but under the bonnet there’s a Rolls-Royce engine. I’ve got to keep it purring.” Yes guys… Women like nothing more than being compared to motor cars. “I made a meal for Manpreet and as a thank you, she’s leaving me.” Should have got a takeaway, mate. “Why don’t you scuttle back to Mordor, you demented bint.” We love Andrea’s conviction that Kim Tate is not merely…

Worried Leyla prepares to confront husband Liam on his double life this week – but will it make things better? Having let the matter lie for weeks, Leyla gets some sage advice from close pal Tracy. Having been through a similar situation when she was hiding her post-natal depression from partner Nate, Tracy has some wisdom to share. She tells Leyla that the best way to help Liam is to force him to be honest about what’s really going on instead of letting things fester. Things are getting worse at home as Leyla keeps trying to get Liam to open up, and he just doubles down on his lies. So, after another chat with Tracy, Leyla decides it’s time to be brave and confront Liam before things get even worse.…

FAIR CITY Ritchie’s reign of terror continues this week, and Sash wonders if the only way to escape his grasp is to kill him! Meanwhile, Olwen gives Cristiano some information about surrogacy… And Pete confronts Lucy in front of everyone. RIVER CITY Caitlin has a big decision to make this week, when she’s left a sizeable inheritance from John. Elsewhere, Lenny is back from Sicily and on a mission to find out who put a hit out on him! Plus, Nicole goes to great lengths to get Darren’s attention… THE ARCHERS The residents gather at Brookfield for the Harvest Supper this week, and Bert Fry is ready to launch into his poems – will the event be a success? Meanwhile, Rex wants to impress his father. Finally, there’s a spanner…

IMRAN’S ONE NIGHT STAND! After weeks of speculation, Imran’s cheating ways were revealed – and he spent the night with none other than Abi! Our loyal Corrie viewers had a lot to say about the scandal… I had such high hopes for Imran and, to be honest, I’m lost for words! How could he cheat on Toyah with Abi? The whole affair just makes no sense to me. Rosie, Essex In my opinion, it would have been better if Imran had slept with Sabeen. At least then there would have been the excuse of they were married and once had a happy relationship. What’s his excuse for sleeping with Abi? The fact that he was drunk and sad, no doubt. Paula Out of all the guys, Imran was one of…

EMMERDALE’S FABULOUS FEMALES “For quite a few years, I shared a dressing room with Shirley Stelfox, who played Edna, Charlotte Bellamy, who plays Laurel, and Paula Tilbrook, who played Betty. It was such a great team. But poor Charlotte is so young, and she had all the oldies to share with. But I do think of them all very fondly. We had very happy days all sharing the dressing room together – and so much laughter and joy.” HER SCREEN SISTER “As sisters, Diane and Val had a heated relationship, but I didn’t half enjoy working with Charlie Hardwick. We had such great scenes written for us – like the mirror maze! Sadly, that was the last time Charlie and I filmed together, as Val perished in…

“Deep down Leanne and Nick love each other”BEN When television crews were shutting down during the pandemic and shows going off the air, the ever-reliable Ben Price and Jane Danson – aka the Street’s Nick and Leanne – were arguably responsible for 70% of the acting on telly during those uncertain times. Charged with telling the truly unimaginable story of a mother losing a child, the stars navigated their toughest plot to date, as Leanne sadly ran out of options and had to let doctors switch off her young son Oliver’s life support machine. The consequences of this tragedy have carried into 2021, with stoic performances from Ben and Jane earning them a nod for Inside Soap’s Best Partnership Award. Yet, as the stars themselves point out, their teamwork has…

It sounds as if there was never any doubt in Lacey’s mind over whether she’d return to EastEnders after having Trilby. The 33-year-old makes no secret of the fact that she is living the dream in terms of juggling work and motherhood – and would even love to expand her gorgeous clan. Meanwhile, her daughter Dusty and her newborn son Trilby are giving Lacey nothing but pure joy. “Trilby is a dream and so chilled – Dusty is great with him as well,” gushed Lacey on a recent holiday. “We’re so lucky to have the two we have, but I definitely want more!”…

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Newcomer Eve makes an instant impression on Walford this week. We caught up with star Heather Pearce to learn more about Stacey’s prison bestie… Welcome, Heather! Tell us about Eve – what is she like? Eve’s loveable, super-bright and quick-witted – but she just can’t avoid getting into trouble! She has a temper and is a little erratic, yet she’s fair and just – so when Eve does something that is highly illegal or morally on the border, you’ll quite often understand why she’s doing it. But it’s probably something I wouldn’t do! Could you be friends with Eve? I would, but I don’t think my mother would have approved! [Laughs] Eve flirts with Shirley – was that fun to film with Linda Henry? Linda was lovely, she definitely put…

There’s a massive shock for Zack this week, when a baby is left on his doorstep with a note that says: “Alyssa is yours”. Following his split from Nancy, Zack has returned to his love-rat ways and is back to breaking hearts all over London. He’s clearly in pain after losing the woman he’d fallen for, so he’s trying to make himself feel better with one-night stands. But the party looks as if it’s well and truly over as Zack realises he could be a daddy. “Nobody expects to arrive home and find an abandoned baby on their front step,” says our Walford insider. “Zack is completely floored. The note reads, ‘Alyssa is yours, please take care of her,’ and it’s evident that her mum is long gone. Zack’s life…

The Alahans are reeling from the consequences of Dev’s decision to pull Asha out of their burning car before Aadi. We caught up with Jimmi Harkishin for the lowdown on their big drama… Hi Jimmi, what do you make of Dev’s choice? It wasn’t a question of favouritism – it was who needed his help more at the time. Aadi was trapped in the front, but he was lucid and talking, whereas Asha was unconscious. He was coming straight back for his son. How hard was it for Dev to see Aadi fighting for his life in the hospital? He’s been distraught because it’s really painful to see anything happen to your children. Dev wishes it was him and wishes he could take Aadi’s place. It’s an honest pain, he…

Kim completely breaks down this week, after revealing to her six-year-old Pearl that her father is dead. Will mum and daughter survive this heartbreak? Even though Vincent has been missing for three years, Kim recently found a clue to his sudden disappearance. However, both Denise and Phil – who believe they know the truth – have been working hard to persuade Kim to let sleeping dogs lie, and to leave Vincent in the past. Ultimately, Kim finds her own path to what seems an incontrovertible fact: Vincent is dead. And despite having only just begun to accept this, Kim decides to break the tragic news to her young daughter. “It’s the kind of revelation that no one wants to tell their family,” reveals our Albert Square insider. “But poor Pearl…

Goldie is forced to appeal to Olivia’s better nature this week, after the arrival of a mysterious letter forces Prince’s mum to reveal a secret from her past. Prior to the twist, the two women are at loggerheads as Olivia snaps at Goldie for interfering with the planning of her hen do. To add fuel to the fire, Olivia then overhears Goldie telling Scott how boring she is! But after Olivia discovers Goldie’s incriminating letter, she regains the upper hand. What is Goldie hiding – and will Olivia tell Prince?…

Who’s the perky blonde turning heads this week? Why, it’s Melanie Healey making her first appearance, and she quickly proves herself to be a sharp operator, walking straight into a job offer. It’s the grand opening of Beale’s Market – the latest enterprise from Walford’s very own pound shop Richard Branson. And Mel certainly knows the sort of talk that pushes Ian’s buttons. “I had my own business,” she tells him, flashing a winning smile. “But the recession hit me hard and the rising interest rates finished me off, really.” Well, Ian’s interest rate – among other things – is certainly rising as Mel charms the customers and his tat starts flying off the shelves. Of course, Mel will go on to be the second Mrs Beale; another union that…

TO BE JADED I know she was hungover, but EastEnders’ Ash recently wore a lovely jumpsuit – can you find it, or something similar? Steph, Cardiff We have found a few for you! The first is the ‘Belt Jumpsuit Evergreen’ from Ivy & Oak. Or if you want to look the part for a night out like Ash, have a look at the ‘Green Wrap Front Belted Jumpsuit’ from AX Paris. SALON WARS ROUND TWO Can you tell me how Corrie’s Audrey was able to sell her salon to Ray when he was buying up the Street? I thought Claudia bought it to be part of her salon chain? Richard, Cheshire Interestingly, Audrey didn’t sell the salon to Ray. Initially, when Audrey sold the salon to Claudia and Maria in…

“It’s not every day that a sinkhole opens in your garden,” points out actress Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz, as she joins us to kick off Corrie’s campaign in the battle for Best Soap, while also feeling chuffed with her nomination for Best Actress. “Sadly, though, there is someone in everyone’s street getting divorced – and that’s just life, isn’t it? I think that’s why Fiz and Tyrone’s story this year has been so relatable. We all know people that it’s happened to. “I know she won’t mind me telling you this,” continues Jennie. “I bump into a lady in my local Co-op, and after Tyrone left Fiz for Alina, this woman came up to me and said, ‘Fiz, Fiz, Fiz – I need to tell you that exactly what…

Do you each have a favourite classic Corrie partnership? Ben It was Audrey and Alf for me; and the Duckworths, obviously. I really liked seeing the nitty gritty of those relationships – and Nick and Leanne have it, too. They’re in love, it’s a bit snippy – then something big happens, but they’ll always be together and bash through. Jane It will always be Jack and Vera for me hands down as that was my Corrie growing up before I joined the show. There are a couple of Nick and Leanne superfans out there who tweet me a lot, so it’s nice to think that people are enjoying us in a similar way. In real life people do stay together, don’t they? It’s nice to show that.…

As cookery competition Farm To Feast: Best Menu Wins continues, host Eamonn Holmes shares what tickles his TV taste buds… What have you been watching on TV recently? Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Video – I’d always harboured ambitions of being a farmer, but the jeopardy he goes through has put me off! I also have a fixation with car programmes: the ones where they fix them up, like Wheeler Dealers, or Car SOS. I love the idea that the sort of cars I grew up with as a kid in the 70s, like a Ford Granada or Capri, they’re restoring them to what I knew. What about comedy-wise? Car Share, with Peter Kay and Sian Gibson, is a beautifully crafted show. And there was a black comedy on Sky…

Mark Strong is back as brilliant surgeon Daniel Milton, and Daniel Mays returns as ‘doomsday prepper’ Lee Simmons. Daniel and Lee were initially introduced as they launched an illegal medical clinic in a bunker beneath London’s Temple underground station, to help find a cure for Daniel’s terminally ill wife Beth (Catherine McCormack) – where he also ended up embroiled in treating criminals and other shadowy individuals. But now, Daniel is determined to turn his back on the bunker and make a fresh start… “Daniel seems to be getting his life back together,” shares Mark. “The plan he’s made with Beth seems to be working and everything is going great, until Lee calls and the whole thing starts again.” “A body is discovered, and Lee is being held to ransom,” adds…

EASTENDERS Gray’s shock move! BUT WHICH WALFORD WOMAN IS IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE? There’s a storm brewing in Walford, as Chelsea prepares for motherhood – unaware that her baby’s father is a secret serial killer! But she’s not the only one oblivious to his true colours, as Whitney realises that she needs to step up and support Gray in his hour of need. Will he be grateful, though? And is he ready to face the prospect of having another child? What Gray does next leaves both Chelsea and Whitney shocked to the core… EMMERDALE Look who’s back It’s been over a year since we last saw Dales loudmouth Kerry in the village – but next week, she’s finally back! What fresh mayhem will she cause as she makes her…