Inside Soap UK 40 - 2020

“Some soap nuptials cheered me right up!” At last, a wedding! I can’t tell you how much some soap nuptials have cheered me right up. Firstly there was Rainie and Stuart’s madcap big day on EastEnders – and this week it’s Sally and Tim, two of the nation’s best-loved characters, who are tying the knot. Of course, there will be drama – evil Geoff is involved after all – although all the excitement and happiness of the special day is going to win through in the end, I’m sure! Elsewhere this week, there’s the daddy of all shocks in Walford. When Danny Dyer told us he was on the verge of his “best story ever”, he wasn’t joking. Turn to p8 for all the gossip on this big bombshell. Meanwhile,…

Wicked Geoff attempts to wreck Tim’s wedding to Sally this week – after being banned from attending the celebrations by his disgusted son. Tim’s so determined to keep his dad away from the happy occasion that he and bride Sally secretly plan a ceremony without telling him. The only people in the know are Tim’s daughter Faye and Sally’s best friends Gail and Abi. However, when the girls get together for a hush-hush hen do in the back garden, lurking Geoff overhears Faye give the game away. What will his next move be? “Tim just really doesn’t want his dad ruining something else!” explains Coronation Street actor Joe Duttine, who plays the groom. “He knows that Geoff hates Sally, and so he wants to keep the wedding a secret. This…

Yasmeen shocks granddaughter Alya with her attitude to her impending trial this week – when she says that she wants to remain inside! Now that Tim is on side over his dad’s crimes, following the video evidence of what went on behind closed doors with Geoff and Yasmeen, there’s a feeling of confidence from Yasmeen’s friends and family. But when Alya reassures Yasmeen that her prison nightmare may soon be over, she’s stunned by her response. Yasmeen explains that she’s dreading being released as she feels safer and more secure behind bars, where Geoff can’t reach her. Can Alya persuade Yasmeen not to destroy her chance of freedom?…

Corrie’s coercive control story has provoked an enormous reaction, and Joe informs us that he’s received plenty of feedback. However, not all of it was complimentary… Hello, Joe! Are you glad that Tim now knows about Geoff’s terrible abuse? Yes! In the same way the audience was wanting the story to reach this point, so was I. Tim was starting to question things, but it was a case of how long can he deny what is right in front of his eyes? Will he now find his mum, and get to know her? He wants to make sure that she is safe and okay. That is his main concern before he even thinks about the possibility of building a relationship. He doesn’t know Elaine, and he doesn’t know what sort…

The reason for Frankie’s creepy interest in the Carter family is finally revealed this week – when she tells Mick that she believes he is her father! For weeks, Frankie has been hanging around the clan, snapping sneaky pictures of them all, and taking a particular interest in young Ollie. But as suspicious Mick pushes her for answers about what she’s up to, nothing can prepare him for the shock he’s about to receive… “So many possibilities have been running through Mick’s head, yet never in a million years could he have predicted this bombshell!” gasps our Square spy. “Frankie is adamant Mick is her dad, and the look of shock on his face says it all. But is he shocked as he thinks she’s a troublemaker who’s trying to…

While it’s hard to believe that Frankie’s claims could be true, we already know that Mick has a huge storyline coming up, which is set to culminate in what star Danny Dyer describes as a “dark Christmas”. So could this be the beginning of the massive plot he’s been teasing? “I’m very excited about it,” he revealed recently. “The plot I’ve been gifted with is by far the best storyline I’ve ever had, and it’s very important. I wish I could tell you more… but it’s a powerful thing.” He also hinted that it wouldn’t be a happy festive season for Mick and Linda this year… “You know what Christmas is about on the Square!” he chuckled. “I’ll let you use your own imagination on that one. We’re due another…