Table of contents for 1 - 2016 in Inside Soap UK

It’s not just Adam who’s furious at Rakesh this week – his fiancée Priya is pretty angry at him for dragging her into the sorry situation, too. As the truth is revealed, Vanessa can’t believe that Priya knew what Rakesh had done all along, and didn’t come clean. With Kirin also pointing out that Priya is just as much to blame as his dad, she’s really feeling the pressure – so she moves out of Mill Cottage. Rakesh is devastated at this latest turn of events, and when Rishi tells him that Priya may never be able to forgive him, Rakesh worries that the pair’s relationship is over for good. Is there anything he can do to make Priya take him back?…

“IT’S GOING TO TAKE A MIRACLE FOR SHARON TO EVEN CONSIDER HAVING PHIL BACK ” Sharon learns the awful truth this week, as Phil confesses he was to blame for the horrific car crash that almost killed her young son, Dennis! There’s every chance his shock revelation will finally put an end to their troubled marriage – but as he continues to hit the bottle, will it be the end for seriously ill Phil as well? “Phil knows the damage to his liver is irreversible, so he is pretty much hitting the self-destruct button every time he takes even a sip of booze,” sighs our Walford insider. “There’s no stopping him, though, and Sharon’s past trying to help him.” EastEnders viewers know that Sharon’s best mate Ian initially took the…

As Zak weathers a family backlash, Steve Halliwell – who plays the Dingle dad – is preparing for the same from miffed Emmerdale viewers… “I’m sure I’ll be in for a few handbags now that Zak has betrayed Lisa,” says the star. “I’ll have to get some padded clothing for when I go round the supermarket! I’ve also been worried about not working with Jane Cox [Lisa] so much any more – we both are. “I don’t know yet what’s in store for Zak and Lisa – I just sign on the dotted line to play Zak Dingle, I don’t dictate his stories. So I’ll have to wait and see what happens as well!”…

Things are heating up for Carmel this week, as she pays her former lover Masood an unexpected visit! When Carmel first arrived on the Square, she and new neighbour Masood wasted little time jumping into bed together for an impromptu bunk-up. Kush and Shabnam were mortified by their respective parents’ steamy behaviour – and neither was Carmel happy when she learned that Masood wasn’t exactly a one-woman man! Despite promising her son that nothing else would happen between her and Mas, Carmel’s feelings change after the week’s events leave her on a downer. She now knows that she has a grandson in Arthur, thanks to Kush’s fling with Stacey, yet she’s frustrated by the lack of contact with the baby – and she has no one to talk to about…

It’s the moment of truth for Essie this week, as she takes a pregnancy test and wonders if her dreams of being a mum are finally about to come true. However, before she has time to digest the results, Essie is called away after a patient goes missing before a complex operation. It transpires that the lady, Alison, is due to have a kidney transplant and that the donor is her long-lost son, Lewis. But when Essie starts to suspect foul play on Alison’s part, she sticks her neck out to protect Lewis. Is Essie making a big mistake – and will it turn out that she is, in fact, pregnant? Also this week… Morven tells Arthur that they shouldn’t talk about their new romance at work –…

After all the strain that the Joe-Lindsey-Freddie saga put on his family, Robbie has learned the hard way that a Roscoe brother love triangle is bound to end in tears. But it hasn’t stopped the troublemaker from starting an affair with Jason’s fiancée Holly! The pair can’t stay away from each other, and have nearly been caught in the act a number of times. However, as much as Robbie loves his twin, star Charlie Wernham reckons that his alter ego is far too smitten to put the brakes on their relationship… “It started off as a bit of fun, but now Robbie genuinely loves Holly just as much as Jason does,” explains the actor. “His main priority is to be with her properly and have everything out in the open,…

We can always rely on the stars of soap to bring a bit of glam to party season - and boy, did they ever! Dressed to the nines were Hollyoaks actresses Daisy Wood-Davis (Kim), Tamara Wall (Grace) and Jazmine Franks (Esther), who were off to party in Liverpool - while over in Manchester, the Coronation Street cast certainly weren’t going to miss out! Katie McGlynn (Sinead), Sair Khan (Alya), Faye Brookes (Kate) and Tisha Merry (Steph) threw a party the Rovers would be proud of, while cast mate Jennie McAlpine (Fiz) played it classy and restrained.…

Troublemaker Darren Miller certainly had a messy seven years on the Square – with notable moments including a failed engagement, a disastrous wedding, and an unexpected baby drama! Although his wheeler-dealer character didn’t have a lot of luck in the long run, actor Charlie G Hawkins wouldn’t have had it any other way, and feels extremely lucky to have been a part of the show… “I’ll always hold Darren dear to me and had the time of my life on EastEnders,” shares the star. “Seven years just flew by – it felt like seven weeks! I was only 12 years old when I joined, so everybody mothered me and I was always looked after. The cast were like a little family!” In his latest role, Charlie will swap the screen…

SOAP’S WINTER WARMERS! Party season may be over, but that doesn’t mean looking glam has to be. Follow these fabulous soap ladies’ leads with a faux-fur hero buy, and kick off your new year wardrobe in style……

It’s the start of the season at the Solana once again, and some familiar faces are returning to Benidorm – but bringing new friends along with them. After holidaying with his family for the past two years, Tiger Dyke is back on a lads’ holiday with his mate Joey Ellis this time, so get ready for trouble… “It’s the first time he’s away from his parents, so he can do what he wants now,” reveals Danny Walters, who plays Tiger. “He doesn’t have his dad, Clive, around to listen to, so Tiger and Joey have just gone on holiday to have fun in the sun!” While the two might fancy themselves as a pair of ladykillers, it looks as though they might not manage to live up to that reputation…

Things are looking even gloomier than usual in Gotham as the Batman prequel returns for its second season this week – and it was hardly sunshine city to begin with. While detective Jim Gordon has been demoted to a beat officer, Oswald Cobblepot – aka the Penguin – is riding high as Gotham’s latest criminal kingpin… “We start the season where Oswald is in a place of absolute power,” reveals Robin Lord Taylor, who plays him. “Unfortunately, he learns very quickly that he is far from prepared to maintain this place of power! He’s only known how to achieve success from a powerless place, manipulating a situation without bringing attention to himself. When you’re the King of Gotham, all eyes are on you and it’s a whole new…

“THE WIG AND COSTUME AND THE PERIOD ALL HELP DISPEL ANY HINT OF OWEN ARMSTRONG.” Ian Puleston-Davies is a long way from Coronation Street in Beowulf: Return To The Shieldlands “WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO DISTRACT US NOW - I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY FILLED THEIR TIME BACK THEN!” War And Peace star Aisling Loftus doesn’t fancy living back in the 1800s… “IT’S THE BEST PLAYGROUND IN THE WORLD - EVERY BODY WHO COMES ON TO THE SHOW IS JUST A BIG KID!” Ben Shephard on why the Ninja Warrior UK challenge is so appealing “THERE WERE NO TRAVELS A BROAD THIS YEAR-I THINK THE FURTHEST WE WENT WAS FARNHAM!” Emilia Fox reveals that Silent Witness is keeping focused on home stories this year…

ARIES 21 MARCH - 20 APRIL  Your creative juices are flowing this week, and you’ll be feeling so inspired you’ll want the whole world to know about your brilliant ideas! If you can find the time, why not start writing a blog? TAURUS 21 APRIL - 21 MAY  A face from the past puts in an appearance this week. And while it might be nice to say hello, think carefully before telling them what you’ve been up to - God only knows who might find out! GEMINI 22 MAY - 21 JUNE  If you’re feeling under pressure, this week should bring you some much-needed relief. But don’t be too proud to accept any offers of help that come your way - it’s easier if someone lends a hand. CANCER 22…

CLAUDETTE VS CARMEL They’re our fave new arrivals of the past year, so what could be more fun than to put them at each other’s throats, in classic Pat vs Peggy style? May we suggest a battle for Masood? SALLY&TIM IN THE ROVERS The definition of a ‘no-brainer’. Social-climbing Sal and feckless Tim running the pub would be comedy gold – and an evocation of Weatherfield’s glory days, when Annie Walker ruled the Rovers, and hangdog hubby Jack, with a rod of iron. ANDY & BERNICE It was the hit romantic plot of 2015, so we want to see a lot more of them in the coming year. Give Andy a job as gamekeeper at Home Farm, so Bernice can go the full Lady Chatterley in the hayloft! WE WON’T…

As Martin desperately tries to keep Stacey together, Kush and Shabnam are on the verge of falling apart, as she struggles to cope with the shattering news that he is baby Arthur’s father. Having finally discovered the staggering truth, Shabs is absolutely devastated by her husband’s betrayal. But with Kush fearing for the safety of his son after Stacey’s rooftop meltdown, does he risk neglecting wife Shabnam at a time when he should be doing all he can to gain her forgiveness? It’s crunch time for the couple as Kush begs stunned Shabnam to stand by him – but can he convince her to stay?…

As the Slaters go to war this week, there’s one more bombshell with the potential to break the fragile clan into a billion pieces. With Kat’s world having been turned upside down by her dad Charlie’s death – and the life-changing reveal of her long-lost son – there’s not been a right time for her hubby Alfie to come clean about his brain tumour. While Alfie initially found out about his illness before the couple left for Spain in the summer, he chose to bury his head in the sand. He’s since learned more about the severity of his condition after having a scan at Walford General – and yet he’s still not managed to pluck up the courage to tell Kat the difficult news. However, as the guilt-stricken fella…

Playing Nikki in the dramatic episodes is Anna Acton – better known to soap fans as Walford’s DC Emma Summerhayes, who cracked the Lucy Beale murder case before mowed down in the Square. “My character in Casualty couldn’t be more different from Emma, so it’s been exciting,” says the star, who is married to Ben Hull (who plays Mr T in Casualty’s sister show Holby City). “I really loved my time on EastEnders and feel very lucky to have been involved in such an epic storyline. I’ve always been a huge fan of the show, and I still tune in now!”…

FAIR CITY Louise decides to up and leave for Barcelona this week, and Dean is shocked to hear she may never return! When he confronts her and she asks him if there’s a reason to stay, how will he respond? Elsewhere, Emmet lies to Rose about having a job at the Station, and Robbie and Caoimhe have a little fun with it… Also, Bob pushes his friendship with Jackie too far. RIVER CITY Martina is furious when Lenny turns up at Billy’s funeral this week, so she decides to hit him where it hurts – Callum. Will Alex realise the extent of his mother’s manipulation? Meanwhile, Ellie feels neglected by Bob, whose social life revolves around best mate Angus – so the couple buy Angus a puppy! Also, Eileen and…

After throwing caution to the wind and continuing his affair with Tess, the Dales’ Paddy has now become entangled in a web of lies. Although Rhona remains unaware of her husband’s conduct, Paddy slips up again this week – but when he persuades Aaron to cover for him, the dreadful truth comes tumbling out. And as Paddy disappoints the one person who has always admired him, actor Dominic Brunt – who plays the village vet – fears that his alter ego may never come to his senses… “Paddy needs to snap out of it,” shares the 45-year-old. “He’s being a selfish idiot, and after using Aaron as an excuse on a couple of occasions, he’s finally forced to come clean about everything. Aaron is gutted, and he doesn’t take the…

WITH 2016 well under way, Tristan tells us that he’s absolutely delighted with the direction in which his character is heading… “I’ve been quite keen to show a stronger side of him, and I think that’s happening now,” enthuses the star. “I think Robert will do whatever it takes to make sure his future is secure, but I don’t think he’s totally ruthless. There has to be a reason he does things, and vengeance or spite aren’t good enough reasons for him – whereas it might be for Tracy. In that respect, I think they balance each other out. Robert’s more ready to stand on an equal footing with Tracy now!”…

ROBBIE HAS ASSURED Holly that he is prepared to turn his back on his bad-boy ways in order to make her happy. But how would Charlie feel if his character made the change? “Of course I’d miss him causing mischief, but there’s only so much trouble someone can cause before they start to feel the consequences of the law,” muses the actor. “Holly has high standards, and I think Robbie would be willing to change his entire lifestyle in order to meet them. He’s been unlucky in love so far, and it would be nice for him to finally have a bit of luck. “There are a few occasions coming up where Robbie does some noble things. I was pleasantly surprised, and I think the audience will be pleased too.…

Feeling rough from a Christmas tipple or two? The stars of soap know that a great way to kick off the new year is by getting back to the gym. Making us feel guilty here at Inside Soap for still munching on our Quality Street well into January, actors such as Corrie’s Shayne Ward (Aidan) and Kym Marsh (Michelle), plus Emmerdale’s Fiona Wade (Priya), Roxy Shahidi (Leyla) and the gang have been tweeting their joy at being back on the treadmill and working on those amazing physiques of theirs. Ab-tastic!…

Although Darren began his stretch in Walford as a baby-faced kid, fans of the show will best remember him in his later years – when, in a shocking turn of events, he was revealed as the father of Heather Trott’s son, George! “My friends would never text me about EastEnders, but I went to the cinema on the night of the reveal and when I came out I had over 65 voicemails!” chuckles Charlie. “EastEnders has always done the ‘whodunnit?’ really well – look at ‘Who shot Phil?’ and ‘Who killed Archie?’ – so everyone went wild when they found out Darren was the dad! “I was shocked, but it was a big storyline, and I felt privileged that the writers chose me to take the lead with Cheryl [Fergison,…

1 SATURDAY DVD ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL Greg (Thomas Mann) gets through high school life by blending in anonymously, with Earl (RJ Cyler) his only companion. But when he is forced to spend time with cancer patient Rachel (Olivia Cooke), their uniquely funny story shows how worthwhile friendship can be. WIN! For the chance to win a copy, tell us which family Rachel lives with in Hollyoaks: A) McQueens, B) Savages, or C) Nightingales. Text ISWIN1, a space, then A, B, or C and your name & address to 87080 (50p). Or see below for postal entries. 2 SUNDAY DVD SHERLOCK: THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are back as Holmes and Watson in this one-off episode set in Victorian London. When the…

Anna is having the time of her life with Kevin right now, but they’ll be absolutely miserable if soon-to-return Phelan has anything to do with it… “Somewhere along the line he has made it his mission to ruin Anna’s life,” explains Debbie. “She’s adamant that she’s not going to tell Kevin that Phelan blackmailed her into having sex with him – but the secret starts eating her up. It could mean that another of Anna’s relationships is ruined because of Phelan…”…

It was an unforgettable Christmas for Fiz and her family, made even more special when Tyrone asked for her hand in marriage. Although the caring mum was swept off her feet by his shock proposal, their financial situation is now yet another obstacle to contend with. Coronation Street viewers will know that Fiz took time off work to care for her sick daughter, and it’s clear that Tyrone’s income won’t cover their mounting debts. Can the wedding go ahead, or will heartbroken Fiz decide to forfeit her special day?…

Alfie’s world is turned upside down this week, after Tony rejects the teen when he thinks he’s his biological dad! Alfie decided to do a DNA test to confirm whether he was in fact Tony’s son, but didn’t realise he’d swiped a fork that Mac – his actual dad – had been using. So when Tony comes across the DNA results, he’s horrified to read that he’s a match! He tells heartbroken Alfie he wants nothing to do with him – and then suggests another DNA test. Will it force Mac to come clean?…

MANDY DINGLE Paddy was smitten with feisty Mandy from the moment he arrived in Emmerdale, but her family had other ideas. After the pair tied the knot in 1999, Mandy was called away to look after her father Caleb, and began an affair with his carer shortly afterwards. EMILY DINGLE Paddy managed to bounce back, though, tying the knot with mild-mannered Emily. They fostered wild child Debbie together, but their relationship hit a snag when Paddy found comfort in the arms of scheming Viv. VIV HOPE In one of soap’s most catastrophic affairs, faithful Paddy was seduced by Viv’s short skirt and steely stare. The pair were at it all over Emmerdale, but their illicit relationship imploded when Viv manipulated Paddy into telling his wife! TONI DAGGERT & DELILAH DINGLE…

Martin thought his life was made when girlfriend Stacey gave birth to a little boy recently. However, joy rapidly becomes pain this week, when Stacey takes tiny Arthur on to the roof of the Vic as her mental health unravels (see p4). While terrified Martin tries to talk Stacey down, he still doesn’t know that Arthur isn’t even his son – but with a tough road ahead for all three, James Bye, who plays Martin, is ready for the challenge… What’s it like to have Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, as your leading lady? It’s an honour, an absolute honour – when I found out how much I was going to be working with Lacey, it was incredible. I have to say, the storylines she has done leading up the…

1“Guy Henry, who plays Henrik Hanssen, really cracks me up. People probably don’t realise it because his character is such a serious fellow, but Guy is absolutely hilarious. He’s extremely quick-witted and sharp – a very funny man.” “If I were admitted to Holby, I’d want Rosie Marcel [aka Jac] to be in charge of treating me. Jac is a genius and so is Guy – they are two of a kind! The sparring between the characters works really well.” “James Anderson, who plays Ollie, is someone who I’d love to act with more. I think we work really well together. The viewers will see that there’s a little bit of paternal jealousy on Guy’s part this week because Ollie is going out with Zosia.” “I recently appeared in an…

Here’s a sight for paw eyes! Dales stunner Gemma Atkinson – who plays Carly – went barking mad for this adorable little mutt named Midge, whom she met at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester. The generous star visited the shelter as part of a campaign to donate toys to its four-legged residents, having previously contributed the £25,000 winnings that she scooped on a celebrity edition of ITV quiz show The Chase. Good on you, Gemma – that’s an awful lot of Pedigree Chum! Also starring...…

What similarities are there between you and Kate? …asks Shannon from Carlisle I would say that I’m quite different from Kate. She’s a bit confrontational and I’m not, but I think it’s good to be able to step into a different pair of shoes when I come to work. How would you cope doing Kate’s job at the factory? …asks Adam from Durham I’d probably get just as bored as she does! Kate would rather be messing about with Kirk in the packing area – but even though I think I would also be friends with Kirk in real life, I would probably prefer to be working on one of the sewing machines. What do your family think of the Connors? …asks Jeremy, via email They were so excited when…

2004 Nicola’s come a long way since landing in Emmerdale in 2001, and so has her sense of style. We’re totally crushing on this colourful strapless number with pastel accessories. 2005 Gone are the pink streaks, and in place is a neat, choppy bob - sharp and to the point. Silver may be ruling this winter season, but Nicola was on to the trend years ago. 2006 Her soap daughter is called Angel - and Nicola is rather angelic in this white pleated dress, snapped at the Inside Soap Awards 2006. 2008 Looking beautiful in blue, Nicola’s found her signature colour - emphasising her honey-blonde locks and blue eyes. Gone are the elaborate get-ups in favour of an effortless outfit. 2009 You wouldn’t get a dress like this in the…

REIGN DANCE The makers of celebrity send-up Star Stories have a new satirical comedy coming to Channel 4, this time with a royal target. Six-parter The Windsors will take a comic look at life in the Royal family. JOSHING AROUND BBC3 comedy Josh, written by and starring Josh Widdicombe, will be returning to the soon-to-be online-only channel for a second run later this year. The flatshare sitcom also stars Jack Dee. BE ON TV Contributors are wanted for a new Channel 4 programme that’s looking to see how attached we are to our many possessions. If you think you could live a back-to-basics life, go to www.princesstv.com/ productions or call 020 7985 1808 for more information.…