Table of contents for 43 - 2016 in Inside Soap UK

Well, wasn’t ITV’s ‘Super Soap Week’ last week just... well, super! I don’t think I have ever seen a stunt like Emmerdale’s car crash pile-up, while I let out a scream of horror as poor Anna Windass found herself ablaze in Corrie. But while the big week may be over, the drama is not! We have the Dales’ Emma trying to cover her tracks by setting her evil sights on poor Ashley (don’t you dare, missus!) on p8. Over on the cobbles, Anna struggles with her injuries, and actress Debbie Rush reveals the inside story on the stunt – as well as her very personal connection to this heartbreaking plot. And over the page, there’s a Walford wedding to enjoy – and doesn’t bride Whitney look amazing? It’s anyone’s guess…

Although he’s been keen to keep his distance since their one-night stand, Aidan will be a big support when it comes to helping Maria through this horrendous ordeal… “Aidan is the one person who’s there for Maria,” Samia tells us. “She rapidly loses it as the situation gets more out of control, but he’s really trying to help her get a grip.” The pair have buried their feelings for one another since their fling – but could Caz’s scheming send them back into each other’s arms?…

HIS ANORAK! Phil’s so fond of the collar-up zip-up look that we reckon the coat will have to be surgically removed. There’s been barely a day he hasn’t worn it over the past few years, and we’re a bit worried about the smell. He should leave it to Dot, so it sees the inside of a washing machine just once. HIS BLACK BEANIE! You can always tell when Phil’s been on the sauce – the black beanie appears like magic. Surely on those numerous nights Phil has ended up passed out in the gutter, the beanie has protected him from the elements. Perhaps he ought to bequeath it to ice queen Ronnie – to warm her through from the outside. HIS BASEBALL BAT! If there’s bother, Phil usually gets his…

Coronation Street stars past and present have paid homage to cobbles legend Jean Alexander, who has passed away aged 90. The actress – who was best known for playing Street busybody Hilda Ogden from 1964 to 1987 – created one of the most memorable soap characters of all time through her comedy gossiping and rocky marriage to Stan. “The news has come as a huge shock – Jean played one of the most iconic soap characters to walk the planet,” exclaims actor Michael Le Vell, whose alter ego Kevin lived with Hilda for a time. “My proudest and most exciting moment on the show was when Kevin and Sally moved in with Hilda, as it meant that I would have loads of scenes with her. “Jean was such…

There’s one hell of a Halloween in store for The Mill this week, when Karen and Rob throw a party for their foster-child Barney. This causes a headache for Daniel, whose little boy Joe refuses to choose a costume. But after a search for a robot outfit proves fruitless, Joe decides to dress up as a princess instead – then insists his dad wear a fairy costume! As the shindig gets into full swing, there’s serious drama as a party game prompts Barney to run away. Will the ghoulish guests notice he’s gone before it’s too late? Also this week… Jimmi and Al’s friendship is on the line, and Ayesha decides to organise a date with Seb.…

Eva’s murderous intentions are all in the name of her dad Billy, after she swore revenge on his brother Jack while she sat with him at his deathbed. This was the only instance in which the audience saw Eva and her father together – and Kerry was thrilled to be able to share the heartbreaking scene with Clive Russell [aka Billy], who has also had roles in Coronation Street, Ripper Street and Game Of Thrones. “It felt quite daunting working with an actor as incredible as Clive, but he was so generous and really lovely to work with,” praises the star. “Everyone on set was very excited to meet him and talk to him – especially those who had just watched him in the latest season of Game Of Thrones…

Look horrifically hot with Peacocks’ glam grunge faux-leather midi-skirt. £18 Peacocks The spooky season is a prime time for fun accessories – just like these cobweb earrings. £4 Boohoo Get your spook on and feel freakishly good in this sequined pumpkin top. £8 @ George Asda Go all-out gothic with this enchanting lace dress – it will make for an edgy twist to your outfit! £60 Next Your feet will have feline fever when you wear these cute kitten heels. £22 Topshop…

IT’S AS IF THE CREATORS of The Missing looked at the first series and said, “You think THAT was complicated?” - because series two is giving us brain-ache, in the best possible way. Here we’re following the return of Alice Webster after her abduction 11 years previously, except she might actually be Sophie Giroux and not Alice Webster at all, in which case where the heck is Alice? And on top of that we’ve got two separate time frames - one set in 2014, one in the present day. So yes, it’s very confusing - but the twists and fine performances are keeping us hooked.…

1 SATURDAY DVD THE CONJURING 2 Prepare for the paranormal in this sequel based on one of the most famous cases in British supernatural history. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, who travel to north London in order to help a single mother in a house plagued by malicious spirits. WIN! For the chance to win a copy, tell us who plays Corrie’s Pat Phelan: A) Les Dennis, B) Ian Kelsey, or C) Connor McIntyre. Text ISWIN1, a space, then A, B, or C and your name & address to 85010 (50p). Or see below for postal entries. 2 SUNDAY DVD VIKINGS - SEASON 4: VOLUME 1 Having seized victory in the battle in Paris, Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) returns to Kattegat very ill, and…

ROBERT’S TALE On Emmerdale this week, Robert Sugden said that his dad Jack beat him as a boy for getting involved with another boy who worked on the farm. Is this a storyline I’ve forgotten? It doesn’t sound like something Jack Sugden would have done! Lucy, Blackpool This tale of teenage Robert being ‘leathered’ by Jack for possibly being gay was news to all of us, Lucy – and something of a rewriting of history. Jack was a strong patriarch, but he was also a principled man of the world who tolerated a lot worse behaviour from his sons than a teenage fumble. Perhaps Robert was making up the story just to elicit sympathy from Aaron. He claims to be a changed man, but it would be a very typical…

While Ashley deals with Emma’s brutal treatment alone, his family are torn over the best way to deal with the former vicar’s deteriorating condition. Although they’re relieved when the police inform them that Ashley won’t be prosecuted for driving without a licence on the day of the crash, the issue of how best to care for Ashley while his health continues to decline remains troubling. Laurel believes that they can cope without day care – even after she cuts her hand on a knife Ashley has absent-mindedly put into the bread bin. However, her father Doug and Ashley’s former wife Bernice are convinced that the time has come for Laurel to accept professional help in looking after Ashley – and that she should be considering her own needs as well…

SNEAK PREVIEW! Emmerdale will host the soap wedding of the year in 2017, as village soulmates Robert and Aaron prepare to tie the knot together! However, in true soap fashion, it’ll be a rocky road to the altar for the pair, with twists and turns aplenty… “I have read the outline for it already, and what I will say about it is that it’s really heartbreaking!” teases Dales producer Iain MacLeod. “I don’t think that anyone is expecting dancers and show tunes at the wedding – but it’s emotionally big in that it’s raw and honest, which is in keeping with the characters. We will also have a healthy dose of Dingle craziness right at the heart of the storyline, which will threaten to derail things!” The fellas sealed the…

He’s trying to shake off his love-rat reputation – so why is Bailey suspected of cheating this week? The innocent truth is that Bailey is trying to come to the rescue of mate Megan, who is struggling to get rid of former fling Frank. Ever since their night of passion, Frank has been trying to get Megan to give him a second chance. But now knowing that he’s a con man and just out of prison, Megan has no intention of making that mistake again! So when the persistent fella tries to flirt her into submission in the café, Bailey steps in to rescue her – which is when Zak spots him and lashes out. The violent episode is the trigger for Zak’s fight with Lisa, but also highlights a…

FAIR CITY Bela remains wary of Amanda this week, but sympathises when he learns from Cass that the lass doesn’t have a home. Can they help Amanda in her time of need? Elsewhere, Jake wants his money back from Cathal, but Ama insists she’ll sort it instead. What will Cathal make of Ama’s threats? Also, Damien frets about leaving Pete in the lurch. RIVER CITY Cassie is looking forward to her birthday this week, but is disappointed when Angus seems to have forgotten all about it! Will she get the day she deserves? Meanwhile, Bob and Patrick fear that they’ll receive a visit from DI Donald following Anderson’s assault – but a bigger shock awaits them. Plus, Alex’s charms fall short when he tries to impress Lorna. THE ARCHERS Alistair…

“ANNA DOESN’T WANT KEVIN TO STAY WITH HER OUT OF PITY” Just as Anna thought she’d finally found happiness with new love Kevin, tragedy struck. Having endured horrific burns in the process of rescuing David’s daughter Lily and her own son Gary from the devastation of David’s car crash, she wakes from her induced coma this week. Doting Kevin is by her bedside as she comes round – and he’s inconsolable when Anna declares their relationship over as she struggles to deal with the long and painful journey ahead. However, star Debbie Rush – who plays the frightened woman – is delighted to be in the thick of the action! Having bravely agreed to be set on fire for real as part of the shocking scene in which Anna was…

We know them only too well as EastEnders icons Kat & Alfie Moon, but Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie seem as inseparable as their on-screen alter egos! They began this year starring in a tour of the play The Perfect Murder, then hotfooted it to Ireland to film EastEnders spin-off Redwater, which will hit our screens next year. And now they’re spending Christmas together! The duo are to star as Robin Hood and Maid Marion at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. Both have appeared in panto previously, with Shane revealing why he loves being a part of the annual festivities. “It’s like someone says, ‘Go and dress up and have a laugh’. Coming to pantomime, it’s as if the shackles come off - it’s like ‘What can we do today?…

From lashings of blood-red lips to boo-tiful eyes that hypnotise, look so good it’s scary with these magical make-up treats… Get hocus pocus vibes with Illamasqua’s Bat Lashes for a shocking finishing touch. Look paler than pale with no toil or trouble with Manic Panic’s Dreamtone Liquid Flawless Foundation and Colour Corrector. Have your nails dripping in orange and black with SensatioNail’s gel polishes in Sun Kissed and Midnight Rendezvous. Create spookily sexy lips and ensure vampy pout perfection that lasts with this MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer. Make dressing up a scream (in a good way!) with these ghoulish eye shadows from Makeup Revolution’s ‘The Dead Are Alive’ palette.…

Ford Greg switched me on to Game Of Thrones – he’s a big fan! And I’ve done it all now, I’m up to date and waiting for the next series to come out. Greg I’ve gone box-set crazy this year. After years of shows like Mad Men passing me by, this year alone I’ve watched The West Wing, Game Of Thrones and I’m currently watching 11.22.63, the John F Kennedy assassination thing with James Franco. Ford My two favourite films are It’s A Wonderful Life and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s A Wonderful Life is when you’re young with all your life in front of you, and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is for when you go mad at 45! Greg Mine are Jaws and Tootsie. I…

STORY TIME Crackanory, Dave’s bedtime stories for grown-ups, is set to return for a fourth series. The narrators this year include Sheridan Smith, Anna Friel, Dara Ó Briain and Mel Giedroyc. WARM RECEPTION It turns out absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, as Cold Feet will be back for another series on ITV. This year’s revival pulled in an average of seven million viewers per episode. GETTING INKED? Do you trust anyone enough to design you a tattoo? A new series is looking for fun, outgoing couples, friends and families to take part. For more info, email a recent photo and your details to casting@gobstopper.tv…

FAREWELL TO A TRUE ICON OF SOAP We were very sad to hear news of the death at 90 of former Corrie star Jean Alexander, who played the unforgettable Hilda Ogden. We received many letters in praise of Jean, but our favourite was this poem from Inside Soap reader Carol Ellis… On the Street there was Elsie and Ena and Minnie, Then along came our Hilda with rollers and pinny. She became a real icon - was true working class. She could eavesdrop for England. Her voice could break glass. A real tattletale, she was constantly meddling, Gossip and scandal she’d always be pedalling. Her role of town crier she had to uphold - But beneath all the chat lay a true…

ARIES 21 MARCH - 20 APRIL   You’ll be feeling capable and clever this week - but don’t let that lead you into doing something ill-advised! The temptation may be to run rings around others, but if you succeed, you’ll court more problems. TAURUS 21 APRIL - 21 MAY   Life is weighing you down in little ways lately, but you’d be well advised to throw off those annoying shackles! There’s nothing major getting in your way, and nothing you can’t overcome. GEMINI 22 MAY - 21 JUNE   This week will be painted in bright colours for you, with big decisions to be made and bold actions getting rewarded. Forget subtlety for the moment - there’s going to be no nuance at work or on the home front! CANCER…

BULLSEYE! For all the shock twists and spectacular stunts of ITV’s ‘Super Soap Week’, our favourite moment was seeing bad boy Peter waltz back into Weatherfield with a cheeky grin on his face – knowing that this time, he will be sticking around! Welcome home, Barlow. It’s just not been the same street without you. Having ‘done’ the film Misery, the Emmerdale team sadly ran out of money for their own version of Jurassic Park …and the less said about their bold reimagining of Watership Down, the better. Ooh! Young Dennis Rickman Jnr is a cocky little so-and-so, isn’t he? Like father, like son! It is a truth universally acknowledged that when a soap character is shown to be this happy, fate will deliver a brutal, immediate, unflinching slapdown. Bravo…

With Whitney having customised her stepmother Bianca’s old wedding dress (the one she wore to marry Ricky Butcher for the second time), she’s ticked the boxes for her ‘something old’, ‘something new’ and ‘something borrowed’. But what about her ‘something blue’, we hear you cry! Well, this sparkly gown saw its fair share of misery on Bianca’s big day in 2010 – when her mum Carol stormed into the church with an axe to grind! The ceremony almost didn’t happen as mother and daughter had an almighty slanging match in the grounds – though thankfully, furious Carol was able to grit her teeth long enough for Bianca and Ricky to marry in peace. However, the couple’s wedding reception happened to take place on the same evening that Bradley Branning fell…

“I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW BAD THIS GETS - CAZ HAS LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED” Maria returns to a nightmare on Coronation Street this week – as the police come to suspect that she’s murdered Caz! Crazy Caz took Maria’s rejection extremely badly, and while Maria has been in London trying to smooth over her sham marriage to Pablo, she has no idea that Caz has ordered a credit card in her name and told Tyrone that Maria has been sending her abusive texts! And once unsuspecting Maria comes back to Weatherfield, she discovers the nasty surprise Caz has in store for her… “Maria returns to the cobbles on Halloween, and when she opens the door to her flat, it’s been trashed,” explains Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria. “Then she finds…

What a way to go, Bill! How did you feel when you found out that James was going to die? Well, I was delighted with the story. It wasn’t just a stunt that was dreamt up, it came from these two people – James and Emma – who don’t really get on, and this was probably our one and only chance to go with this outcome. I loved the writing, so I was chuffed to bits! Did you perform your own stunt when James fell from the footbridge? Oh my goodness, no! We did use a bit of green screen for that, and the stuntmen and women have been really extraordinary. I mean, us actors try to do as many of the stunts as we possibly can, but jumping off…

How fitting that frightening Nico should choose the spookiest day of the year on which to strike! With all the Halloween paraphernalia, these spine-chilling scenes made it easy for Persephone to turn Nico into Hollyoaks’ scariest attraction… “The sets and costumes added a creepy atmosphere which really helped me get into character, and the crew went to a lot of effort to make the entire week special,” reveals the star. “That support allowed me to give the best performance I could – and I had Anna Passey [Sienna] by my side, so everything went to plan. These scenes were my most challenging work since starting on Hollyoaks, but I enjoyed every minute of creating them!”…

1. PREPARATION “I had a couple of sleepless nights beforehand, but on the day itself I was on autopilot. My skin was coated with cooling gel, and I wore layers of fireproof clothing. Then I had Anna’s clothes on top – a few sizes bigger than normal, so I looked like the Michelin Man!” 2. REHEARSAL “I shouldn’t have watched the team do a run-through with a dummy dressed as Anna. It was like a huge furnace going up, and that was the one moment I thought, ‘I can’t do this’. But then I saw the stunt lady Donna do it, and I was fine again.” 3. ACTION! “My heart was pounding and I couldn’t speak – I thought I must be crazy! But I trusted everyone to keep me…

“SPARKS WOULD FLY BETWEEN EVA AND GRACE – IT WOULD BE FUN!” With the Osbornes being one of Hollyoaks’ longest-serving families, who could imagine them not being at the heart of the show? But this week, that notion becomes a reality – when the entire clan mysteriously disappear from their home! As Eva remains hell-bent on sticking Jack in a coffin, it looks as though the whole family is in danger if they’ve happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The copper is a force to be reckoned with, and actress Kerry Bennett is having a ball playing the vengeful lass – but she doesn’t necessarily like her cold-blooded alter ego… “It’s difficult to say, because she is quite scary,” laughs the star. “The word ‘psycho’…

As if Zeedan and Yasmeen don’t have enough to worry about, they’re going to discover that Alya has been in the know about Sharif and Sonia for a while. They will also learn that Alya blackmailed her grandad to fund her business, instead of telling Yasmeen the truth. And it’s going to make life at the Nazirs’ very difficult indeed. “Once they find out Alya knew, it doesn’t go down too well,” laughs Sair Khan, who plays her. “So while she’ll want to support her grandma and help build her back up, will Yasmeen let her?” There’s also a suggestion Alya’s going to head down a very unexpected route as her family troubles overwhelm her. “You are going to be really shocked by Alya,” promises Sair. “There will be a…

What would be your dream storyline for Tina? …asks Sue from Devon I’d love for her to go travelling, with EastEnders following her all over the world! I went away myself before I had children, and ended up in Australia for five months. Other than that I’ve not travelled huge amounts, so it’s something I’m looking forward to doing when my children are older. I like the idea of going to America – places such as Texas and St Louis [in Missouri] excite me. Who in the EastEnders cast makes you laugh the most – and why? …asks Michelle, via email Danny Dyer [Mick], simply for who he is. He doesn’t mean to be funny, it’s just how he talks. I can’t repeat anything he says…

“I like playing against type, it drew me to this”JOHN If you love a good crime drama, then you have Victorian author Wilkie Collins to thank. His classic tale The Moonstone is considered to be the first English detective novel, setting the template for 150 years of mysteries to follow. In the novel, Rachel Verinder inherits a famous diamond on her 18th birthday, but on the night of her party the Moonstone is stolen. Her friend, Franklin Blake, hopes to win Rachel’s heart by recovering the missing gem, persuading ex-policeman Sergeant Cuff to help him find it. We chatted to John Thomson, who plays Cuff, and Sarah Hadland, who plays Rachel’s meddling cousin Drusilla Clack, in order to find out more about this new BBC daytime…

“I WANTED TO CUT ALL THIS HAIR OFF. WITH A HEAD LIKE THIS, A HAT IS VERY PRACTICAL.” The Blacklist’s James Spader on how his character gained his signature headgear “ON FIFTEEN TO ONE I’VE ASKED ENDLESS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE KARDASHIANS, BUT I’VE NO IDEA WHO THEY ARE.” QI host Sandi Toksvig admits that there are still a few gaps in her general knowledge “I’M 31 AND I STILL CAN’T GROW A BEARD IT’S EMBARRASSING. LET’S JUST SAY THAT THE MOUSTACHE IS 70 PER CENT ME.” Tutankhamun star Max Irons admits he had a bit of help with his facial hair “I’VE HAD TO GIVE HIM A NAME - BECAUSE IN HER HEAD MY CHARACTER WOULD KNOW WHAT HE’S CALLED!” Katherine Kelly on the fact that the lead character in…