Inside Soap UK 12 - 2016

While I know in my heart that my favourite soaps are stories made up by writers and performed by actors (and that the Beales and Dingles and Connors and the rest don’t really all live inside my television set), sometimes I do confuse fact and fiction. To my shame, there are occasions when I have expected a soap star to be, in real life, just like the character they play on TV. I once involuntarily yelped in fear when I opened the door at an awards bash to find Archie Mitchell. Of course, it’s really a tribute to the actor’s skill in creating such a believable character, isn’t it? You’ll probably experience a similar confusion when you read our chat (on p54) with Corrie star Connor McIntyre, who plays the…

“PHIL IS FULL OF ANGER - HE’S LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO FLIP OUT” Drunken Phil totally loses it this week – but as he runs riot at the car lot, he fails to realise that there’s someone inside the office whose life he is putting in deadly danger! The drama begins when Phil learns that his family intend to take control of his businesses, as they fear the Mitchell empire will crumble with him in his current state. And later, after a nasty confrontation with Ben, Phil finally goes over the edge – deciding that if he can’t have the Arches and the car lot, then no one will! But his actions have terrible consequences… TAKEOVER BID Despite all of the carnage that Phil has caused recently, at the…

SHE CONTINUES TO BE MANIPULATED BY AUNT BABE… Wicked Aunt Babe’s grip on Abi tightens this week, as she threatens to expose the girl as a liar to Ben! Following Abi’s fall, it’s Babe who rushes to her side and promises the girl’s family that she’ll take care of her. Once away from prying eyes, Babe tells Abi they ought to pretend they’ve been to the hospital, and that Abi has lost her baby – blaming Phil’s actions for the tragedy. Reluctantly Abi agrees, although she feels terrible when Ben reacts in horror to the news and appears devastated by their ‘loss’. However, in his turmoil Ben turns to Paul for support, not Abi – highlighting the reality that he’ll never truly love her. Saddened by what she’s done and…

“HOLLY DOESN’T LIKE CAIN - BUT SHE’S NEVER GIVEN HIM A CHANCE” This week, Holly learns the hard way that Charity is not to be trusted – but fortunately, her mum Moira is on hand to pick up the pieces. Desperate for cash to pay off her dodgy ex-boyfriend – and drug dealer – Dean, Holly falls hook, line and sinker for one of Charity’s crooked schemes. But luckily for Holly, Moira has a solution to her problems – whether she likes it or not! “Holly is being very naive in getting involved with Charity – it’s a stupid thing to do,” sighs Natalie J Robb, who plays Moira. “Charity double-crosses her by setting her up to steal from the Woolpack – then tells Moira about it! So Moira’s ready…

As Moira’s arch-rival Charity tries to get her claws into Holly, Moira is given another reason to despise her. But Natalie claims her ballsy alter ego won’t be messed with… “At the moment, Moira feels solid enough in her marriage to Cain to give as good as she gets when it comes to Charity,” insists the actress. “Moira’s not happy about her being back in the village, though – she’s like a bad smell or an irritating spot that’s always there! “She’ll always be wary of Charity, because of the history she shares with Cain – but if any cracks were to appear further down the line, then Moira is ready to sort them!”…

“TRACY IS CALLING ALL THE SHOTS - SHE WANTS CARLA TO BE UNHAPPY!” Another furious row breaks out between arch-rivals Carla and Tracy this week – with Carla forced to give her nemesis a slap across the face! The drama kicks off after Tracy gets an earful from Robert, which causes her to turn on both him and Carla. Having already suffered enough of Tracy’s behaviour, Carla fights back – but with the Barlow bitch primed to reveal Carla’s secret passion with Robert, will she regret lashing out? “It’s the showdown to beat all showdowns!” grins Kate Ford, who plays Tracy. “Now that Robert owns the Bistro, Tracy reckons she’s calling all the shots, which is exactly what she’s been waiting to do. But Tracy worries that whatever happens to…