Table of contents for 21 - 2019 in Inside Soap UK

“It’s like a second Corrie Christmas!” Oh, I do love this week of the year – it feels as if we get a second Corrie Christmas. Okay, I know Rita isn’t actually putting out the Christmas cards and treating the Rovers to her rendition of Santa Baby (if only!), but this week – where Corrie is on telly every night after the Britain’s Got Talent live shows – has become an annual feast of heart-stopping drama, after months of build-up. In previous years, we’ve had murders, explosions, births, and much more – however, this year sees the Platt family take a holiday in the countryside that turns out to be sedate, quiet and uneventful… NOT! Yep, the clan is about to implode in spectacular fashion – while back on the Street,…

Maxine and Damon are racing head-long towards their wedding day – but will the betrothed couple make it to the altar before Damon discovers that his fiancée has been faking her illness? “Maxine has finally everything she’s ever wanted – and given that she’s claiming to be dying, her wedding plans are sure to be completely outrageous!” hints our Hollyoaks insider. “Only one thing stands in the way of her getting her happy ever after, and that’s the possibility that Damon could find out she has been lying to him. So will he uncover the truth before or after they exchange vows?” Maxine’s desperate deception is the result of her suffering from the mental disorder Munchausen’s syndrome, a condition where sufferers pretend to be seriously ill – but will Damon…

Summer may be approaching, but the atmosphere in the ED is frostier than ever – when queen Connie is usurped by trouble-shooter Ciaran Coulson! As the two clash over how best to run the department, Ciaran’s cockiness only feeds Connie’s anxiety. Struggling to cope with even simple tasks, she reaches for prescription pills to calm her nerves. Is she on a slippery slope to addiction? Meanwhile, Ciaran’s presence also has a huge impact on Duffy, when he raises concerns about her dementia diagnosis. And after he makes it clear that he feels she is no longer fit to work, the nurse is forced to make a heartbreaking decision about her future… Plus, Omo drops a bombshell that sends Jacob reeling, and Jade and Marty compete for a nursing bursary –…

Chloe’s been grappling to come to terms with the return of her handsome billionaire ex, Pierce Grayson, convinced that he wants her back. So how will she react when his glamourous fiancée, Ebony, suddenly rocks up in Erinsborough? “Chloe is suspicious of Ebony from the moment she meets her!” confirms our Ramsay Street sneak. “But not wanting to appear the scorned ex-flame, she does some digging on the sly – and discovers that Ebony has a whole heap of secrets! Will she tell Pierce what she knows?” Two Dees or not two Dees? Toadie’s only just getting over the loss of his wife, Sonya – yet his world will be turned upside down again thanks to devious Andrea! She claims to have sighted a mystery woman named Karen, who shares…

There’s trouble in paradise for Whitney and Callum this week, as the normally mild-mannered bloke starts acting out of character. The devoted couple should having their best week ever as they move into their first new home together, but problems arise when Tiff begins larking about while they are unpacking. The naughty teenager finds Callum’s Army uniform, puts on his beret and starts making fun of him until the furious bar man suddenly snaps. “Callum’s aggressive response scares both Tiff and Whitney…” “Callum’s aggressive response scares both Tiff and Whit, who can’t understand where the anger has come from,” reveals our Walford insider. “Just a little while earlier, Callum was his usual sweet and kind self, giving girlfriend Whitney a house-warming present that shows how much he cares.” Whitney is…

“This obsession with tidying has to stop. I couldn’t find the biscuits or the coffee, and this morning, I didn’t know where my knickers were.” “That’s hardly a first.” “Oh, that’s rich. Coming from somebody who uses her knickers as ankle-warmers.” Tracy and Liz need to be kept living in the same house at all costs, Corrie! “He’s gettin’ right on my Bristols.” The BBC fulfilling its educational remit, with another lesson in rhyming slang. “Chas, I’m sure everything is going to be all right. It’s like I know it.” “We’ve got to be due some happiness, right?” There’s no way Emmerdale would be so cruel as to put us through that kind of pain again… Is there? “We’ve got something you’ll never have. Family. Love… And that’s something you…

There’s a distinct lack of holiday romance for Shona and David this week, when they join the Platts for a ‘relaxing’ rural break. The drama which ensues, as a result of David’s scheming with his brother Nick (see p4), prompts heartbroken Shona to call off their engagement – believing David is having a fling with barbers’ apprentice Natalie. But when we join Julia Goulding, aka Shona, for a chat about these dramatic developments, she admits learning that David has ripped off his gran Audrey will be a far more painful realisation than his supposed infidelity… “Stealing Audrey’s cash is just cold!” she insists. “I think Shona would prefer David and Natalie to have an affair, if I’m honest. Taking from your own gran is not who David is, and it’s…

“I have to say Elisabeth [Zara] makes me laugh the most, although everyone’s witty. She and Ali Bastian [who plays Becky] are both potty-mouthed, but don’t tell them I said that!” “Both me and Adrian  Lewis Morgan [Jimmi] are keen motorcyclists. We’ve not been riding together, but we talk about it a lot! And I’ve got into hot yoga with Sarah Moyle [Valerie]…” “I’d love it if Stirling Gallacher [Georgina Woodson] came back. She was belly-laugh funny. I was very sad when she and her partner Seán Gleeson [Ronnie] left.” “I reckon I hang out with Ashley Rice [Sid] the most between scenes. He’s my dressing-room mate, and has weights going on in the corner which I dip in with sometimes.” “I’d say Chris Walker [Rob] is the coolest member…

CORRIE’S MICHELLE It’s National Tomato Week – and Kym looks stunning in this saucy red number. Work this hot hue with these tomato-toned treats……

I love watching Billions on Sky Atlantic. And I have to say, for me, one of the best dramas to come out in recent years is Succession  – that’s phenomenally good. Plus, like a lot of people, I couldn’t wait for the final season of Game Of Thrones! The last thing I watched that I thought was utterly fantastic was Home on Channel 4, with Rufus Jones – my other half [actress Cosima Shaw] is in it as well. I think it’s absolutely spot-on – very funny and beautifully, classically British. You know how Brits love to make fun of themselves and their shortcomings? It’s that in a nutshell. I’ve laughed and cried at Ricky Gervais’ After Life – I think that’s a tremendously brilliant piece of work. I find…

OH! CAROL Guy Pearce is to play the role of Scrooge in BBC1’s forthcoming adaptation of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The cast also includes Stephen Graham as Jacob Marley, and Andy Serkis as the Ghost Of Christmas Past… DINNER PLANS Friday Night Dinner is set to return to Channel 4 for a sixth series. The comedy, starring Tamsin Greig, Paul Ritter, Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal as a family whose weekly dinner always goes awry, will be back next year. DAME FOR A LAUGH Dame Edna Everage will return to BBC1 later this year for a one-off special. The iconic Aussie entertainer (played by Barry Humphries) will host an evening of music and chat directly from her luxury yacht, where she’s currently enjoying her…

Carla Connor’s mental torment is laid bare this week, when viewers are taken inside her terrifying world – as she suffers a severe psychotic episode. With scenes being told from Carla’s point of view, we’ll see things through her eyes as her fear and desperation reach a dangerous climax. Despite being home under the care of Peter, troubled Carla is still desperately ill and secretly disposing of her medication. Convinced that everyone is out to get her, Carla makes her escape – but she’s set to go on the most challenging journey of her life… “Carla sees Hayley in her red coat… but she’s gone” “Carla thinks her family and Peter are all in on it,” explains Alison King, who plays the unstable factory owner and has worked with mental…

The big reveal that Coronation Street viewers have been waiting for plays out on screen this week, as we finally learn the identity of Underworld’s ‘Fiddler on the Roof’! It’s been three months since the factory caved in, burying various Street residents and killing Rana Habeeb. But which of the six suspects will turn out to be responsible? The smart money has to be on Carla. The knicker boss blames herself for the destruction, and has had a mental breakdown as a result. Meanwhile, her business partner, Nick, had Wayne Hayes’ health and safety report hidden under his mattress, and seems willing to do whatever it takes in order to cover his tracks. Could he be the guilty party? Also in the frame is Carla’s lover, Peter, who hit the…

Could Serial killer Breda strike again – and who might she have her beady eye on this time? A group of Hollyoaks favourites are heading off to a summer musical festival – and who knows what will happen when they’re let loose from the village… Only Ollie knows the truth about baby DJ’s paternity – will he finally admit that Luke is the babydaddy? Will Elly and Shaun pull together to become the perfect parents for their unborn child? And how will Mark cope if they do? Finn attempts to convince everyone that he really is the model neighbour – but the cracks are beginning to show… Kyle continues to cause tension between Gary and Amy as they plan their wedding. Is Amy hiding her real feelings for him, though?…

As temperatures (hopefully) start to soar this summertime, the heat will most definitely be on for certain members of the Letherbridge posse by the time the series takes its regular break from the middle of June! For others at the GP practice, however, the change of season will bring cold comfort… While practice manager Becky takes a short break from The Mill, her temporary replacement, Su – who viewers may recognise from her Doctors appearance last year – wastes no time in winding up the whole team! However, Becky’s absence proves particularly troublesome for a guilty Daniel, who struggles to cope with his emotions in the wake of their secret steamy liaison… Elsewhere, Valerie is thrilled as her pet cat Geoffrey’s painting talents continue causing a stir – but she’s…

Robbo attempts to make amends with Jasmine this week – but his efforts result in her suffering a panic attack! “I think Jasmine is in shock that Robbo’s returned,” explains Sam Frost, who plays Jasmine. “She was a mess and completely broken when he suddenly left. Robbo didn’t call or text in over six weeks – I think Jas is understandably confused.” Despite Robbo’s grovelling and apologies, Jasmine remains adamant that things are over between the two of them… “Jas doesn’t want to be with someone who can just pack up and leave without a word,” shares Sam. “She has spent their entire relationship on Robbo’s terms. Jasmine has been incredibly supportive of Tori and Robbo having a baby together – and when he left, she still supported Tori. Jas…

Linda is taken over by fear this week, when a video reveals that it wasn’t actually Bailey who hit Dennis – it was Linda’s own son, four-year-old Ollie! Bailey took the rap in order to prevent Ollie from getting into trouble. But while Linda is touched by the sweet gesture, learning the truth could lead to worries for the Carter family. Viewers will recall that Ollie injured his head after falling from his highchair back in 2016, and doctors concluded that he could be left with serious brain damage, which could manifest itself as he grows up. So, might the little’un’s violent outburst be the beginning of a terrible ordeal for the clan?…

Graham LOOKS Brooding Graham is a bit of a dish, and he’s in good nick thanks to being the Dales’ answer to 007. 4/5 CHARACTER You don’t get a lot of laughs with our Graham, but he does have beautiful manners and a shed load of cash. 3/5 FIDELITY Graham took about 15 seconds to bed Kim Tate behind Megan’s back, so he’s not going to win this round. 1/5 PROSPECTS The trouble is that Graham has brilliant prospects – until he manages to annoy Kim and ends up out on his ear. 3/5 TOTAL 11/20 Frank LOOKS Silver fox Frank is definitely easy on the eye, and his delightfully twinkly peepers have us swooning at the telly most nights. 4/5 CHARACTER He’s funny, he’s charming and he’s loving –…

FAIR CITY This week, Heather unexpectedly arrives in town to see Ellie, and shocks Bob and Renee when she reveals that they’re leaving for Brazil! Meanwhile, Jane accuses Paul of taking advantage of Callum. Plus, Doug worries he’s become the victim of a scam. RIVER CITY Poppy helps Dougie in the charity shop this week, and discovers camera footage of the night Lydia was murdered. Elsewhere, Maggie begins to doubt whether she wants to nurse again. And Scarlett clashes with her new neighbour, Eve Christie… THE ARCHERS Alistair and Shula continue preparing for Jim’s birthday this week, but Alistair’s odd behaviour soon arouses suspicion. Meanwhile, Adam and Ian return from Bulgaria and try to choose a baby name. Finally, Harrison is shocked to receive a note from the bunting trickster.…

Lisa Dingle is like an old friend to viewers, and I am glad she is back – but now we have to sit and wait for her to pass away. Belle’s life will never be the same without her mum, and nor will ours. I hope Belle forgives Charity for not telling her, as she will so need her in the future. Sylvia, Hayling Island I know that us viewers were already in on the secret about Lisa’s terminal illness, but that didn’t make it any easier to watch her break the news to poor Belle. The tears were rolling down my cheeks as Lisa told her little girl she’s dying. I just hope they can make the most of the time they have left together. Magenta How on Earth…

As Shona’s relationship crumbles, romance has blossomed for actress Julia, who tied the knot with her partner Ben Silver earlier this year. Julia and teacher Ben exchanged vows in a ceremony at Manchester’s Albert Hall, with many of her Corrie co-stars – including Tina O’Brien (Sarah), Jack P Shepherd (David) and Lucy Fallon (Bethany) – in attendance. And while a wedding for Shona and David now looks unlikely, Julia’s big day sounds a little different from the kind of nuptials she imagined her alter ego might organise… “Getting to wear a big white dress on Corrie? That’d be fun!” shared Julia, prior to Shona and David’s troubles. “I don’t know what sort of wedding Shona would want, but I don’t think she’d have a heel on – maybe a pair…

Our fave soap actors took their place among the great and good of the small screen when they attended the 2019 BAFTA Television Awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall. With Corrie, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Casualty all up for the Soap and Continuing Drama gong, the soapies took the red carpet by storm. Corrie’s Helen Worth – who received a nod in the Must-See Moment category for her part in Gail’s monologue following Aidan’s death – looked fab in florals. So too did the Street’s Samia Longchambon (Maria) in a flowing blush dress, while Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes) opted for a chic trouser suit, complete with black tie. Everyone looked great, but the night belonged to EastEnders, who won the top prize. Danny Dyer (Mick) joined Davood Ghadami (Kush) and Zack…

Yes To Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Wipes Cleanse your face with a little help from tomatoes, as the salicylic acid helps fight acne and control sebum. Ella Baché The Original Tomato Radiance Cream Slather thirsty skin in this iconic original tomato cream. It’s rich in vitamins, fruit acids and lycopenes, for long-lasting hydration. NARS Nail Polish in Dovima Vivid Tomato Red While tomatoes are working a treat on your skin, add a glossy tomato tip to nails with this knockout nail polish. Tonymoly I’m Tomato Sheet Mask Sit back and relax as tomato extract and vitamin E work together to revitalize skin, and give back its radiant glow!…

WE HAD OUR DOUBTS ABOUT this time-travelling comic-book show during its rather sluggish and serious first season, but since then it’s evolved into what we reckon is easily the best superhero series on TV. It’s ambitious, witty, piercingly self-aware and, most importantly, fun – plus it’s the one that feels the most like you’re seeing a comic book come to life. Season four comes to a close on Sky One this week, but the first four seasons are available via Sky On Demand and NOW TV. So stick with the iffy (but short!) season one for some important world-building, then prepare for a wild ride……

DEAN GAFFNEY (Robbie Jackson, EastEnders ) IN Robbie headed off to India earlier this year, but he’ll soon be back in Walford. However, our EastEnders spies tell us the character won’t be returning to Albert Square alone – so who’s come back with him? “Robbie’s been off soul-searching,” teases Dean Gaffney, who plays him. Next week OLIVIA DEEBLE (Raffy Morrison, Home and Away ) OUT After weeks of speculation that Raffy will be leaving Summer Bay later this year, actress Olivia has confirmed that she’s currently in Toronto, Canada, filming for a new Disney movie! “I am so excited to announce that I’m playing Princess Roxana in the new Disney+ [Disney’s new streaming service] movie called Secret Society Of Second Born Royals,” she…

EMMERDALE Facing the future VICTORIA MAKES AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE… As Victoria makes a big decision concerning her pregnancy next week, her friends and family rally round – but can they offer Vic the support she so desperately needs? The reality of her predicament in the wake of her horrendous attack is devastating, with her nearest and dearest also badly shaken. However, will they be by her side as she prepares herself for what lies ahead? CORRIE Don’t go! The cobbles locals gather to bid Norris a fond farewell next week – however, when taking a trip down memory lane, he’s given pause for thought. As he realises what, and who, he’s leaving behind on the Street, might Norris change his mind? EASTENDERS Sister secrets! The reason Iqra and Habiba are…

Although no stranger to big storylines, Carla’s real-life alter ego Alison says her character’s psychosis is one of the toughest things she’s ever done. We caught up with her to find out what it’s been like. Hi, Alison. What was it like to film Carla’s psychosis? It was really weird trying to encapsulate what she’s going through. I met a beautiful lady through Mind, who suffers from this, and she told me that in moments of extreme psychosis, you are never not yourself – you are just the most terrified version of yourself. You are locked in there and there is no way out. Was it important to meet somebody with real experience of this? It made all the difference. With soaps, there are different writers for each episode, and…

Dear EastEnders, don’t think we haven’t noticed the tantalising fact that Stuart and Rainie are on the same team this week. Despite her stirring, Rainie does the right thing in the end, with her and Stuart set to work together to find Bex. We’ve long believed that these two twisted-but-fascinating characters could be a solid-gold pairing, and there’s definitely chemistry between them. So is it time to retire the idea that Max and Rainie are meant to be, and pair her up with a bloke who is just as unhinged and unpredictable as she is instead? We certainly hope so! Lots of love, Inside Soap x…

Holby City will be setting record temperatures this summer – when two colleagues embark on a hot new romance, and another character pops the question! Meanwhile, as the show continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary, we’ll see the return of two old favourites – Jac’s soul mate, Joseph Byrne, and her old nemesis and love rival, Faye Morton! “Joseph was the love of Jac’s life, and as if that in itself isn’t enough to rock her world, he turns up with the woman who is Jac’s sworn enemy!” teases Holby City’s executive producer, Simon Harper. “It was for Joseph’s sake that Jac sent Faye packing in 2010, and as far as Jac’s concerned, it’s the ultimate insult – and comes at a time when she is already feeling off-balance both…

Is there a new romance on the horizon for Ziggy this summer, as she and Dean grow closer? Fresh from her marriage break-up from Brody, Ziggy throws herself into doing up an old car to keep her occupied. The project leads to an unexpected outback adventure for her and Dean, where sparks soon fly… but is it too soon for a new relationship? Elsewhere, Mason continues to flout the law as he makes his own CBD oil to help sister Raffy with her epilepsy. However, his good intentions go awry when he’s pulled over by the cops and busted for possession of marijuana! How will Justin and Tori react when they find out what their younger siblings have been up to? Plus, Roo is shocked when Alf and Martha make…

Harry has a secret rendezvous with his ex-girlfriend Sadie this week – and it’s clear that he doesn’t want his boyfriend James to find out what he’s up to! “Sadie’s back in Harry’s life – she wants something” The exact nature of his meetings with Sadie remain a mystery for now, although Hollyoaks star Parry Glasspool, who plays Harry, informs us that his alter ego definitely has something to hide… “Sadie’s a former fling who has come back into Harry’s life – and she wants something from him,” he teases. “She’s bugging him, and you can see from all the texts she’s sending that she means business. She could be blackmailing Harry, perhaps, but I can’t tell you exactly what she wants.” Unfortunately for Harry, his shady behaviour hasn’t gone…

“I’m so glad Mariam is back so she can put a stop to this Adam and Habiba nonsense. As his foster mum, she’ll be able to spot his dishonesty a mile off – and Adam will feel properly punished!” …suggests reader Mara from Blackburn “I ain’t being funny, but has nobody at Corrie noticed that Dr Ali is a right sort and wouldn’t be single for five minutes in real life? The man is fit, and he’s a doctor. C’mon Corrie, give him a romance. You’re stretching our disbelief to breaking point!” …wails reader Michelle “ David’s having such a horrible time right now that I wish his best mate Nikhil Sharma would return to support him. Although it was played for laughs, their bond was a wonderful example of…

While the rest of the family is sent into a flap after the events at the picnic, Mitch finally finds the moment to tell his daughter the truth about Dinah’s tragic suicide this week. Until now, Mitch hasn’t been able to find the right words or the right time to tell Bailey how her mum made the choice to end her own life. And after hearing about the incident with Dennis in the park, Mitch is adamant that the lass needs to be told off. But Mick and Linda manage to convince him to go easy on Bailey after everything she’s been through recently. Once Mitch finds out that Bailey wasn’t really the one responsible for hitting Dennis, he softens, and Karen convinces him that he really needs to tell…

Singleton Jai lines up his first date in ages this week, following a fair bit of prompting from the factory girls! After being encouraged by Laurel, Kerry and Nicola, Jai finds himself on a dating app – and is delighted to receive some interest from an eligible lady. Ahead of their first meet-up, Jai is feeling pretty confident about his chances of impressing his date, and feels ready to get back in the game. But after being teased by his family and the girls, will Jai prove he’s still got it?…

Jacob visits his mum this week, and is shocked by what he finds! Mother and son haven’t spoken in months, so when a patient is brought into the ED with some stolen prescription drugs, Jacob is stunned to hear that they belong to Omo… When he calls round to see his mum, Jacob is shocked to find a strange young woman in the house! She introduces herself as Jet, and tells Jacob that she’s heard all about him from Omo. But who is this woman – and what is she doing in his mother’s house?…

ROCK OUT? Can you confirm when the BBC will show the end of Red Rock, which they took off air right in the middle of the series? Carole The BBC tells me that as Red Rock is acquired from Ireland’s TV3, they’re unable to play the last episodes till they’ve aired there. Once they have, it will return to BBC1 for its conclusion. DATING DENISE In EastEnders, when Jack asked Denise out for a drink, he said he hoped she wouldn’t throw a jug of water over him this time! Have the pair been on a date before? Gerald In 2012, Jack was set up on a blind date by pals Tanya Branning and Zainab Masood – and the lady in question turned out to be Denise! She and…

Grace’s usual attire consists of a blouse with a pencil skirt and a pair of killer heels – or at least that’s what we believe are on her feet… “Filming all day in heels really hurts,” explains Tamara. “So I’ll often have a very glamorous outfit on while filming – but I’ll be wearing a pair of slippers on my feet! If only the audience could see!” The actress also reveals that Hollyoaks Will Hostage viewers love rat situation won Louis ’t: be seeing her character’s signature escape look for quite some time, though, as the accident has resulted in Grace’s fashion sense taking a back seat. “I’m absolutely loving Grace’s wardrobe at the moment!” laughs Tamara. “It’s basically all tracksuits and hoodies! Every time I walk around in the…

“MERCURY, VENUS AND EARTH ARE SMALLER THAN THEY SHOULD BE” Did you know that far from being the dry, red planet we know it as today, Mars once had water in abundance? Or that a battle with the Sun changed Venus’ future? Turns out, the history of our solar system contains enough drama to rival Line Of Duty – and in this new five-part series, Professor Brian Cox is going to explain the turbulent past of Earth and its seven nearest planetary neighbours. “I think the key difference between this series and Wonders Of The Solar System is that the history of the planets is the central focus,” Brian tells Inside TV. “And because of the data we have now, we can, with some confidence, understand the history of the…

We’ve just about reached that time of the year where the weather is nice more often than it isn’t, which means it’s time to check in with the Springwatch team once again. They will be returning to their current year-round home in the Cairngorms for another three weeks, for an update on the wildlife. We caught up with Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke ahead of this year’s series, to find out what they have planned. You’re going back to the Cairngorms – are you looking forward to it? Michaela It’s a tough job, isn’t it?! We’re very excited to be going there again. Winterwatch went really well – we’ve done it there before [in 2014], but we’ve never stayed for spring. I’ve always been confused by…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Gemma Dean...................... Rebecca Ryan Iain Dean..................... Michael Stevenson Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin................ Cathy Shipton Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia.......................... Tony Marshall Elle Gardner.......................... Jaye Griffiths Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Archie Hudson..................... Genesis Lynea Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh........................... William Beck Marty Kirkby................ Shaheen Jafargholi Jade Lovall.......................... Gabriella Leon Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Rash Masum........................... Neet Mohan Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Will Noble................................. Jack Nolan Ruby Spark................................ Maddy Hill CORONATION STREET Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Amy Barlow.......................... Elle Mulvaney Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby.................... Georgia Taylor Emma Brooker............... Alexandra Mardell Chesney Brown.......................... Sam Aston Claudia Colby.......................... Rula Lenska Mary Cole.................................. Patti Clare Norris Cole........................ Malcolm Hebden Carla Connor.............................…

JAC’S X-CITING NEWS Ex-EastEnder Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) is rumoured to be one of the contestants taking part in Celebrity X Factor, which is thought to be hitting our screens this year. The star has shared several videos of herself singing online, and is said to be in talks with show bosses after the posts caught their attention. Will she sing her way to success? HOORAY FOR HAYLEY! Former Coronation Street star Hayley Tamaddon (Andrea Beckett) is to wed! The actress, who also appeared in the Dales, tweeted a snap of herself and her new sparkly engagement ring, and wrote: “He proposed… I said yes!” Hayley’s been with fiancé Adrian for two years, and also recently announced her pregnancy. “I didn’t think I could have children,” she shared. “And now,…

BULLSEYE! Ken and Roy were like gladiators in the Corrie colosseum as they thrashed it out over which of their charges, Peter or Carla, was in greater need of rehabilitation – and we sympathised with them both! Meaty scenes like these are exactly what’s been missing since the factory collapse, due to the repetitive ‘suspect of the week’ palaver. Thank mercy the big reveal is imminent! Will’s hunger for revenge on Harriet knows no limits. And, apparently, neither does his credit card. Coffins are expensive! EastEnders has a way to go in silencing its critics of the past two years, but Gray – or ‘Christian Gray’, as we like to call him – might be the character to do it. We want to see all his 50 shades. We’re not…