Inside Soap UK 41 - 2016

Do you know what I’m going to tell you? The stars of soap truly are a lovely bunch. I know people always want tales of behind-the-scenes battles and diva behaviour, but after this year’s Inside Soap Awards, I can honestly say everyone was amazing. These guys work really hard (they do far longer hours than I ever have, believe me!), and although they’re happy when they win a prize, they just really appreciate the viewers who tune in every week to watch what they do, so they’re doubly grateful if people take the time to vote for them. Don’t get me wrong, they’re only human, so I’m sure things aren’t always perfect (when are they ever?) but the good far, far outweighs the bad in my experience – and anyway,…

This week, the action in Emmerdale all takes place on a single calamitous day. From Monday to Thursday, each episode will focus on a separate group of characters. Their stories unfold in different places, but all at the same time. And although the participants don’t know it, every last one of them is locked on to an inescapable collision course. On Monday, we’ll discover what happens when Lachlan interferes with Robert’s plan to propose to Aaron, and the action will take us to the edge of a cliff… On Tuesday, Pierce will learn that Rhona has been lying to him, and he’ll stalk Paddy and Marlon on their camping trip in the woods… On Wednesday, drugged and injured James will continue his desperate attempt to escape…

Poor James is trapped in a twisted and terrifying situation at Wiley’s Farm this week, as crazed Emma puts on her old wedding dress – and vows to ensure her fiancé never leaves her! However, the desperate farmer rejects Emma’s warped plans for their eternal marriage – and defiantly scrawls the words ‘I do not!’ on a piece of paper. But as James makes one last break for freedom, his escape plan backfires with devastating consequences for the captive… “The week begins with James having a freshly broken leg, and he’s in so much agony,” explains Bill Ward, who plays the frustrated fella. “He’s trying not to take any painkillers, since he knows that Emma has been drugging him with morphine – plus he hasn’t been eating, so he’s very…

Emma has lost the plot! Is it because she wants revenge for James kissing Moira? Gillian It’s actually not about revenge – it’s all about James. Emma is keeping him hostage and waiting for him to fall in love with her again! How on earth can she think this sort of behaviour is attractive, though? The situation just accelerates and Emma goes into this mode – but not in the way you expect. She becomes super-caring in the hope of convincing James that she is the woman he’s meant to be with. She thinks James has been brainwashed into not wanting her. How did you approach doing scenes of such a dark nature? I wanted to find a way of making it believable and not camp. Emma has to believe…

Loved-up Robert makes plans to propose to boyfriend Aaron this week – but what should be a romantic interlude for the couple soon dissolves into a complete nightmare! A horrifying series of events unfolds when raging Aaron bundles Lachlan into the boot of his car, after the teen makes a shocking accusation against Robert. As Lachlan makes a frantic bid to escape, a chase ensues – leaving the three of them teetering on the edge of a deadly precipice in a chilling stalemate… “Lachlan mishears something that’s said between Robert and Rebecca, and threatens to say that Robert sexually abused him,” reveals Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert. “Aaron overhears this lie and is really offended by it, due to everything he’s been through with his father Gordon. Aaron has a…

Leo’s school play sparks a massive falling-out between Rhona and Pierce this week, prompting her to join Marlon and Paddy on a camping trip with the little boy. But when Rhona fibs to Pierce about where she is, he’s left in a furious mood. So what will he do next? Zoe Henry (Rhona) and Dominic Brunt (Paddy) admit that there’s major trouble in store… Why does Rhona and Pierce’s lovers’ tiff turn into a huge argument? Zoe Pierce can’t come to Leo’s school play because he’s on a business trip, so Rhona invites Paddy instead. But then Pierce’s trip is moved, so she tells him a little white lie and claims that the play has sold out. When Pierce finds out the truth he confronts her, and insists Paddy can’t…