Table of contents for 26 - 2016 in Inside Soap UK

Hooray! Summer’s here. Well, you wouldn’t know it at the moment if you looked out my window at the rain belting down, plus there’s the fact that I’m rather tired today as I was awoken in the night by a thunderclap so almighty that I thought I must be caught in one of Emmerdale’s explosive village dramas! However, we’re British, so we will live in eternal hope that summer will be here soon – especially as it gives us here at Inside Soap the chance to bring you a big, fat summer preview! We’ve got all the sizzling secrets over on p12. There are big returns, shock affairs, secrets revealed and couples reunited. If we can be certain of one thing, it’s that it’s going to be a hot summer…

SONNY DHILLON Bisexual Sonny cheated on his girlfriend Michelle Connor with former flame Sean. JAMIE BALDWIN Sean fell for Jamie – but Jamie was in love with his own stepmum, Frankie! TIM WHITE Sean borrowed a dog to get close to handsome vet Tim, but it turned out Tim was a liar – he already had a boyfriend. MARCUS DENT Nurse Marcus ditched Sean after the lusty lad tried to snog Michelle’s cousin Tom Kerrigan. TODD GRIMSHAW Wicked Todd manipulated Sean to do his bidding after realising that his friend had feelings for him.…

It’s all change in the Aussie soaps this summer, as Home and Away has confirmed a raft of shock departures – while a new arrival is set to rock Neighbours to its core! Summer Bay stalwart Alf Stewart will be bowing out later this year – but don’t fret, it’s only a temporary exit! Actor Ray Meagher is taking a break from the soap to reprise his role of Bob in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert – The Musical, but plans to return once he’s done. Meanwhile, viewers can expect to see Maddy, Josh, Chris and Andy exit the show in coming weeks, with the actors who play them having filmed their final scenes already. But it’s not all bad news –…

Violence erupts on Darwin ward this week, when Jac punches Oliver! The warring medics come to blows after Ollie goes against Jac’s instructions while they’re operating on a patient in theatre. But when the disagreement becomes personal – and Ollie makes the unwise decision to bring Jac’s daughter Emma into the argument – she sees red, and Ollie ends up with a split lip! Will he report Jac’s outrageous behaviour to their superiors, or will she be able to make amends before it’s too late? Also this week… Fletch is furious when Raf takes the step of asking Naomi out, and Essie’s pregnancy plans put pressure on Sacha.…

“GIRLS TELL ME THE STORYLINE HAS HELPED THEM OPEN UP” Being a teenager is no easy task at the best of times – but Bethany Platt is going through hell right now. Having suffered at the hands of her ruthless bullies for months, she has nowhere left to turn. And with her troubled mum Sarah in hospital and the rest of her family also stressed to the nines, the lonely lass has never felt more desperate. This week, she’s conned into believing that her biggest bully Lauren is set to call a truce – though it’s nothing but heartless fakery. And with no end in sight for Bethany, actress Lucy Fallon, who plays her, can feel her alter ego’s pain… Bethany is having a rough ride at the moment –…

Tackling a real-life health issue is nothing new for soaps. But Emmerdale is breaking fresh ground with Ashley's dementia storyline. For those also going through what the Thomas family are dealing with, Charlotte says there are some important resources to use. “The biggest advice we got was to use support groups,” she tells us. “The groups are vital for people and their families to rely on and turn to. You can't struggle with this alone – it's impossible. As Ashley’s condition progresses, there are times when a person suffering like that won't make any sense. If you are caring for someone in that position, you could go mad.” It's the collective support, and connecting with other carers going through this, that comes as a big relief for many, according to…

How did the role of Belinda come about for you? …asks Mary, via email I was still in Holby City [playing nurse Fran Reynolds] when my agent said EastEnders would like me to read for the part of Kat’s sister. I thought there was no way I’d get it, but I did and I’ve been here for a while now. It would be great if all the other Slater girls came back, too – I’d love them on the Square again! Is it true that you’ve appeared in EastEnders before? …asks Maggie from Preston Yes, Maggie – it was actually my first TV job back in 1998! I played a character called Alice who was Lenny Wallace’s girlfriend. Alice had Hepatitis B and came to Albert…

The death of Ashley Peacock was one of Coronation Street’s most heartbreaking goodbyes. He was killed in the 2010 tram crash, and died a hero after saving the lives of Nick Tilsley and Peter Barlow – but left behind widow Claire and their kids. While star Steven Arnold was sad to say goodbye to a job he loved so much, the Warrington-born performer says that the past few years have been incredibly exciting – especially as he’s been challenged by all sorts of varied roles… “I wanted to go out with a bang and move on to a new chapter,” shares the 41-year-old actor. “I’ve done stuff I never thought I’d do – Shakespeare, period dramas, comedies and all sorts. That’s what you want as an…

This box-pleat multi-coloured skirt from Valley of the Dolls nips you in at the waist and offers an enviable silhouette. Inspired by the Chelsea Physic Gardens, Oasis’ swishy petal-print skirt is an essential summer piece for any girl. Make like Jacqueline and look clean-cut in a crisp ivory A-line skirt for summer vibes all season long. A jacquard print and vintage-inspired appeal make Coast’s luxe offering worth every penny! With summer colours and a floral print, this Chi Chi London skirt will give any outfit a few extra rays of sunshine.…

I’ve just started watching New Blood . I tend to get quite addicted to things, so when I watched the first episode and they said, “You can now watch episode two on iPlayer”, I was like, “Okay!”. I love the show’s humour. I’ve been watching The Next Step with my children. It’s brilliant, it’s on CBBC and it’s a bit like Fame. I try to stop them watching it without me, because I really like it! Then I noticed that I was watching it without them, which was quite embarrassing. Friday night is film night in our house, so we try to watch a film that’s family-friendly. Last weekend we watched Mirror Mirror, and we’ve watched the Harry Potter films a lot, but not…

TAKE TO THE STAGE Gary Barlow is launching a BBC1 talent search for cast members in a stage show based on Take That songs. The series, currently titled Let It Shine, will be hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Graham Norton. LONDON CALLING Not all the new series of Death In Paradise will be sun-drenched, as Humphrey and the team will be heading to London for a two-part story where they try to resolve a particularly complicated crime. TAYLOR MADE A BBC1 drama is set to explore the story of Damilola Taylor, who was murdered in Peckham in 2000, aged 10. Our Loved Boy will star Babou Ceesay and Wunmi Mosaku as Damilola’s parents Richard and Gloria.…

ARIES 21 MARCH - 20 APRIL   ’Tis the season of… flirtation! Aries is a fire sign, and this week could be the time to act on a feeling. Financially, you are counting the pennies - in the long term, this will serve you well. TAURUS 21 APRIL - 21 MAY   You will have encountered a few money worries this week, but look forward to a small windfall. Family strife will soon be in the past, as sunnier days encourage a brighter outlook. GEMINI 22 MAY - 21 JUNE   Take the time to introduce some fun into family life this week. Your inquisitive nature and creativity can raise everyone’s spirits. Work niggles may be getting to you; try to take time out and chillax. CANCER 22 JUNE -…

Belle’s misbehaviour has taken Lisa to hell and back – but Jane has nothing but praise for Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays her. “I really take my hat off to Eden,” enthuses Jane. “She has such a huge workload at the moment, but she gets on with it so professionally. She does her best with everything and I totally admire her – although I was a bit shocked when she started getting kissing scenes! “We have a cool relationship and can talk about anything. Eden is very mature. As her pretend mum, it’s been lovely to see her growing up, and I’m very proud of her.”…

David & Kylie Kylie and David can finally put the horror of the past year behind them, now Callum Logan’s murder has been pinned on Tony Stewart. We know that actress Paula Lane, who plays Kylie, is leaving Corrie – so under what circumstances will her character depart the cobbles? “There is one final twist in the tale still to come,” warns our Weatherfield spy. “Kylie’s past has a habit of catching up with her, and jail is on the cards if she’s exposed as Callum’s true killer. Whatever happens, David loves Kylie with all his heart. He can’t imagine life without her, and is bound to feel devastated following her departure.” David & Tracy As David and Tracy’s relationship steps up a gear, the impulsive fella will seize the…

SHE’S GOT STYLE Lovely Mary is a brunette bombshell with an eye for fashion. She’s not afraid to make bold wardrobe choices whenever the occasion demands, and she’ll never let you down if fancy dress is required! SHE’S NOT SHORT ON PERSONALITY Mary is a charming conversationalist, and any man on a night out with her is guaranteed to learn something. Her fierce intelligence, deep curiosity and talent for storytelling are a winning combination. You’d never get bored talking to Mary! SHE’S GOT LIFE SKILLS Mary can cook, she can play chess, she can dance, and she’d be the best person ever to have on your Trivial Pursuit team. She’s well-travelled, independent, and likely to be able to put together flatpack furniture better than any man alive! AND SHE’S GOT…

Nick comes to the rescue of former flame Leanne during Simon’s birthday celebrations this week – and cheeky Simon tells Leanne that she should get back together with her ex! “Leanne left her role at the Bistro out of loyalty to Nick, but her new job is making her miserable, and to top it off she has a very bad back,” explains our cobbles spy. “This week, she agrees to take Simon for dinner and a movie as a treat for his birthday, and she really doesn’t want to let him down. However, Nick realises she’s in a lot of emotional pain, so he offers to take Simon instead.” Leanne gratefully accepts Nick’s offer, and when the pair return from the cinema she’s delighted to see Simon looking happier than…

“SAVING LIVES IS SECOND NATURE TO JACOB - HE DIVES IN WITHOUT A THOUGHT” Jacob recklessly puts his life on the line to save a man from drowning this week – leaving his ex-girlfriend Connie terrified that she’ll lose the man she still loves! The former couple are on their way to a conference when their car is flagged down by a panicked passer-by, who tells them that a man is trapped in a nearby storm drain. While Connie calls for backup, Jacob jumps straight in and tries to rescue him – but when he’s washed away downstream, it looks as though it could be game over for the medic… “Saving lives is second nature to Jacob – he dives into the water without a thought for his own safety,”…

Protective mum Leah is on the warpath this week, after she finds out that her teenage son VJ is dating a woman who is six years older than him! VJ and his new squeeze Billie are blissfully happy as they bask in their new romance – but when Leah spots them frolicking on the beach, she’s furious! How will Billie react when Leah approaches her and begs her to break things off? “Billie does genuinely like VJ, and he genuinely likes her too,” explains Tessa de Josselin, who plays Billie. “She is initially aware of the age gap, and the fact that VJ is still in school and hasn’t lived an independent life. However, that soon dissolves and they fall further in love. “When Leah confronts her, Billie is open…

FAIR CITY Jake arrives at the shelter unwell this week, putting Ama in a difficult position. He asks for insulin, but she’s not allowed to give it to him without a prescription. What will she do? Elsewhere, Sash and Carol plead with Robbie to rehire Nora as a cleaner, before Nora learns shocking news about Robbie. Also, Ciaran asks Alannah to join him for a drink. RIVER CITY Patrick reacts furiously this week, when he finds out that Alasdair is still in Shieldinch. Shocked by his outburst, Angel tries to talk to Patrick, but he refuses to open up and continues to feel isolated. Meanwhile, Drew’s estranged dad Pete turns up out of the blue – will Caitlin tell her son who Pete really is? Also, Angus surprises Cassie with…

“NEETA MAY SEEM LIKE A RAY OF SUNSHINE, BUT SHE IS STRONG” If the ladies in Mac Nightingale’s life were to have a fight, we’d be hard pressed to know who to put our money on. His ex-wives Marnie and Cindy would certainly pull out every dirty trick in the book to secure a victory, and we’d fear for his lovely fiancée Neeta against two seasoned schemers like them! Neeta does indeed find herself on the receiving end of Marnie’s wickedness this week, as the bitch ropes daughter Ellie into setting up the poor lass. But when we grab Hollyoaks star Amrit Maghera – who plays Neeta – for a chat about her alter ego’s predicament, she warns us not to underestimate nice girl Neeta… “Neeta may seem like a…

Corrie has lost two of its top stars recently, with Alison King (Carla) and Ryan Thomas (Jason) both leaving the cobbles. Now Paula Lane (Kylie) is heading off - and the actress said goodbye to her cast mates at a glitzy bash. Battling the blustery weather were Tina O’ Brien (Sarah) and fiancé Adam Crofts, Paula’s on-screen son Harry McDermott (Max) and Lucy Fallon (Bethany), among others. Meanwhile, Paula’s pal Sophie Austin (formerly Hollyoaks’ Lindsey Roscoe) arrived with new boyfriend Shayne Ward (Corrie’s Aidan). Paula tweeted: “What a night - nearly nine months pregnant and I partied the night away… I feel so loved.” Good luck, Paula!…

“The audience wants to see how the characters deal with life’s obstacles” The first series of Boy Meets Girl told a love story between a young man and an older transgender woman that was warm, witty and captivating. When it ended, Inside TV was one of many voices clamouring for a second series, because we needed to have more of Leo and Judy (and their overbearing families) in our lives. Fortunately the BBC’s comedy power players were listening, and ordered a new six-part series which arrives on our screens this week – so we called up Rebecca Root, who plays Judy, for a chat to see if the path of true love will be running smooth or not… Hi Rebecca! Where do we find Judy at…

“HE WAS STRUTTING AROUND SAYING ‘I AM THE TASKMASTER’, SO HE HAD A BRIEF PERIOD WHERE HE LOST IT.” Taskmaster’s Alex Horne remembers when the power (briefly) went to Greg Davies’ head… “IT’S NOT AS TALL AN ORDER AS IT MIGHT SOUND. THERE IS SOMETHING LIBERATING ABOUT NOT SITTING ON IT FOR TOO LONG!” Amelia Bullmore likes the last-minute topical scenes on C4’s Power Monkeys “I WOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT IF THERE WAS ANY SENSE IN WHICH IT WAS PURE JAZZ HANDS AND PANTOMIME.” Judge Rinder tells us that it’s important to him for his series to keep things real “I DON’T THINK IT’S NECESSARILY A MAN’S WORLD - THERE ARE SO MANY WOMEN BEHIND THE SCENES, WHISPERING IN EARS…” Versailles star Sarah Winter on how 17th-century women made their…

THE BAY GOES BOOM! There were so many big shocks in Home and Away this week that I could barely keep up! Deaths, kidnappings, amputations, killers exposed – it was like a year’s worth of drama all in one week… I don’t think I’ve ever been as traumatised by a soap as I am after watching this week’s Home and Away! How could the writers do this to us? I’ve sobbed my way through every single episode. I even had a dream last night that I was in the explosion, and was crushed by a caravan! Beth, via email My heart goes out to Evie in Home and Away, to lose two members of her family in one week is just tragic. Actress Philippa Northeast has…

“SAM THINKS THAT DUMPING HER SON MIGHT BE THE MOST LOVING THING TO DO” Emotional Sam prepares to drop a massive bombshell on former flame Jack this week – by leaving their son Richard behind in Walford! Jack is still finding it hard to deal with the fact Sam has brought the little lad with her to Peggy’s funeral, mostly because he feels guilty that he has no relationship with his son. He’s a devoted dad to Amy, and Jack considers himself a good man – but his failings with Richard are a bitter pill to stomach. So while he tries to find a way to bond with the boy, little does Jack know that Sam is secretly calculating her escape route. “Sam’s in a really bad place at the…

DRUG DEALING Jai confronted Rakesh about their drug dealing past together during several rather heated exchanges. PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE When his son Kirin knocked down Moira Dingle, Rakesh helped him get rid of the evidence to keep him out of prison. INTERFERING WITH MAIL Rakesh broke the law when he intercepted the letter that confirmed Kirin was baby Johnny’s father. ACCESSORY TO MURDER Rakesh was on hand again when Kirin knocked down and killed Tess, helping his son to flee the country before the police cottoned on. AIDING AND ABETTING A CRIMINAL With Kirin on the run, Rakesh has been wiring him money to help him evade capture. ARSON Setting fire to the Mill development to claim the insurance money was Rakesh’s last-ditch effort to stay afloat.…

Channel 4 Thursday Ste is forced to fight his urge to use crystal meth this week – just before his best mate Tony manages to bag him a job interview! Thanks to some encouragement from calculating Cameron, the recovering addict returned to drugs after being crushed by the news of Harry’s sordid night with James. Heartbroken Harry had no luck convincing Ste to forgive him, so this week Tony and Diane take matters into their own hands and mischievously arrange for the lads to spend some time alone together in the flat – where Harry makes a last-ditch attempt to win back his man. Drugs are still at the forefront of Ste’s mind, though, and he’s soon thinking about taking some more of the crystal meth he’s managed to get…

Rita goes to desperate measures to win back Iain this week – by lying that she’s been attacked! Things are awkward between the medics in the wake of their break-up, and as Rita ducks behind a car to avoid Iain at work, she smacks her face on the wing mirror – resulting in a black eye. Rather than admit the truth, mortified Rita lets Iain believe that her violent former husband Mark assaulted her! With the rest of the ED giving him the cold shoulder over his treatment of Rita, Iain feels terrible, and eventually resolves to stand up for his ex and teach Mark a lesson. How will he feel when he learns Rita’s made the whole thing up? Also this week… Robyn is all loved up,…

“EMMERDALE WANTS TO SHOW THE REALITY OF ALCOHOLISM” We all rejoiced when Ashley and Laurel remarried. Everything seemed right with the world once again. But the stark reality of their relationship is that there will be no happy ending, as Ashley’s dementia diagnosis means his condition will only deteriorate, and Laurel will eventually lose him altogether. While they’ve bravely faced up to this inevitability so far, last week Laurel made a big mistake when she accepted a glass of wine from Ashley – knowing he’d forgotten she’s an alcoholic. It’s a choice that has catastrophic repercussions for their relationship… “Laurel is pregnant, and she’s just drunk a bottle of wine,” says Charlotte Bellamy, who plays her. “She feels so guilty because she’s let herself and Ashley down. As an alcoholic,…

“My first scene in Hollyoaks involved me getting into a car and driving off – it was quite nerve-wracking, as I hadn’t driven in a really long time! I had to hit my mark, and make sure I didn’t crash into anything, so it was a lot of pressure.” “The first cast mate I met was Sophie Porley, who plays Ellie. During the audition process they were putting lots of different combinations of people together, and I was always with Sophie. After the final audition we got the train back to London together, and we were chatting all the way.” “I watched my first episode with Jared [Garfield, who plays Nathan]. He was at my house helping me build furniture from IKEA – very rock and roll – when I…

Their characters’ relationship didn’t last long on screen, but the real-life romance between Emmerdale’s Chris Chittell (Pollard) and Lesley Dunlop (Brenda) has only gone from strength to strength. They started dating in 2008, announced their engagement last year, and finally said “I do” last week in front of friends, family and cast mates, including Nicola Wheeler (Nicola) and Bhasker Patel (Rishi). The loveable duo plighted their troth hundreds of miles away from the Yorkshire Dales, in an intimate ceremony in the coastal village of Coverack in Cornwall. And don’t you think the bride and groom look like a perfect match? So happy and handsome and stylish. We adore those blue suede shoes……

Blimey, these boys have been working out! Former Corrie star Ryan Thomas (Jason) and his brothers – Emmerdale’s Adam (Adam) and Love Island’s Scott – recently undertook a three-month body transformation programme at Manchester’s Ultimate Performance Fitness – and the results are quite something. Ryan’s co-star and gym enthusiast Catherine Tyldesley (Eva) is clearly an admirer – she tweeted: “Awesome transformation. Proves what hard graft and decent grub can do!” Well done, lads!…

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WHAT IS IT ABOUT the countryside that lends itself so well to murder mysteries? Midsomer County is already a no-go area for anyone who values their life, and now the Cotswolds village of Carsley is heading the same way - but at least we have PR guru and amateur sleuth Agatha Raisin to round up the killers. Ashley Jensen is perfectly cast as Agatha, with a strong supporting cast including Mathew Horne, Katy Wix and Jamie Glover, plus plenty of familiar faces turning up as suspects each week. It’s bright, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously - just how we like it.…

1 SATURDAY DVD TRUMBO Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston stars in this extraordinary true story of Dalton Trumbo’s struggle in 1940s Hollywood while under the shadow of the communist blacklist. Also starring Helen Mirren, this is a compelling portrait of a disturbing period in US history. WIN! For the chance to win a copy, tell us which soap stars Helen Pearson: A) Home and Away, B) Hollyoaks, or C) Emmerdale. Text ISPRIZE1, a space, then A, B, or C and your name & address to 87080 (50p). Or see below for postal entries. 2 SUNDAY DVD PEAKY BLINDERS - SERIES 3 In this series of the high-octane drama, Tommy Shelby is pulled into the glamorous and dangerous world of international intrigue in 1920s Britain – putting both his entire organisation…

SALLY’S DA BOMB I really loved the floral jacket that Sally wore in Corrie when she had the party at her summer house. Do you know where I can get one please? Julia, Birmingham Sal’s floral-print bomber jacket comes from Marks & Spencer, and will cost you £59. It’s out of stock online at the moment, but your local store may still have some sizes left. O-B AND OUT? This may sound like a daft question, but in Hollyoaks Tom said he was going off to spend the summer with ‘OB’. Should I know who that is? Michael, London How can you not know who OB is? Sam ‘OB’ O’Brien was best friends with Tom’s older brother Max, who took care of Tom after his parents died – and OB…

BULLSEYE! We were blown away by the courage displayed by Walford’s Sonia, when – to reduce her cancer risk – she made the harrowing decision to have her breasts and ovaries removed. And if she didn’t have enough on her plate, the selfless woman is running around after her girlfriend’s sick mother. Meanwhile, actress Natalie Cassidy is playing an absolute blinder. As the EastEnders costume department continues to make budget cuts, it’s the newest stars who’ve been hit the hardest. Thank goodness. As the Platt family fell apart, baby Harry realised he needs to get outta Dodge post-haste. Shuffle as far as your little tush can carry you, lad! Over in Hollyoaks, auditions for the new Doctor Who aren’t going so well. We’ve noticed that a lot of thought goes…