Inside Soap UK 24 - 2019

It was lovely to see Hollyoaks lift the trophy at the British Soap Awards recently, as the soap really has been on top form for the past year. “It was lovely to see Hollyoaks win!” The show’s plots – particularly the harrowing football abuse story and Sinead’s abusive relationship – have been head and shoulders above many other soaps. Plus, the show deftly pulls off these emotional, disturbing storylines right alongside the high-camp fun of a poisoned-lasagne-wielding serial killer, and the high-octane drama of kidnaps, shootings and some literal cliffhangers. Oh, and it has the most fun pub in soapland: The Dog, as run by hard-as-nails Mercedes and soap’s naughtiest gran by far, Nana McQueen. I know that fans of the other soaps like to have a grumble because their…

Love rat Keanu finds himself bound and gagged by a mystery kidnapper this week – just after he discovers that Sharon is pregnant! He’s horrified to realise that he could have fathered a baby with Sharon as well as being the dad to her pregnant step-daughter Louise’s unborn child. Determined to be honest with Louise, and finally confess to his affair with Sharon, Keanu braces himself for the consequences of fessing up. But just hours later, he’s locked in an empty warehouse and unable to move… “Everyone knows Phil is capable of doing terrible things – so imagine what he’d do to Keanu if he knew the truth,” warns our Walford insider. “It’s completely naive of Keanu to think that he can just come clean and somehow live to tell…

1 Employ Ian Beale to be your life coach. He’s deeply unpopular with everyone, rubbish with women, estranged from his kids and has a miserable past. Although Ian’s seen it all, he’s never learnt a damned thing. The notion of following his life advice is utter madness, and yet it would still be a smarter move than opening up to Louise about sleeping with Sharon. 2 Ask Kim Fox-Hubbard to manage your finances. The queen of bling has never been a saver. In fact, we think she’s in a perpetual game of ‘Go For Broke’! Money is tight for you, Keanu, but giving big spender Kim your bank card would still be wiser than getting honest with Lou! 3 Tell Shirley Carter that she’s your ideal woman. We…

Gary seems doomed to take his killer secret to the grave this week – as bloodthirsty Rick delivers on his promise to put his nemesis in the ground! The two men face off in what promises to be a showdown that surely only one of them can survive – but who might not live to fight another day? “It was inevitable that things would go too far for Gary at some point,” grimaces actor Mikey North, who plays the Street’s surprise new super-villain. “He’s found himself in some very difficult situations, especially now he’s carrying the responsibility of the factory collapse. Being up against Rick… Well, it’s not looking promising for Gary!” Time is running out for Gary, and it’s his haste to protect his former fiancée Sarah that lands…

Wicked Kim invites handsome Pete to join her for a drink this week, despite knowing that he’s already spoken for. Pete’s partner Rhona is the only person, aside from Jamie and Graham, that the vicious woman can stand, and the two have formed a friendship. But, despite her fondness for Rhona, Kim doesn’t hesitate when she and Pete end up alone and insists he joins her for a tipple. What’s her game? “Kim is notoriously ruthless when it comes to sex – she wouldn’t think twice about nicking somebody else’s man,” warns our Dales insider. “Pete is attractive and a bit naive, so he doesn’t stand a chance if Kim sets her sights on him. Rhona may rue the day that she befriended Kim.” “Kim wouldn’t think twice about nicking…

FRANK TATE Kim admired Frank’s bank balance and his smarts – he always matched her when it came to scheming. But she never fancied him, grew bored and bumped him off. Thank heavens for Pete that he’s Frank’s opposite. NEIL KINCAID Like Frank, Neil was minted, but it was his love of horses that attracted Kim. Their affair cost Kim her marriage, but she soon won Frank back. We don’t think Pete’s a dab hand with the gee-gees. DAVE GLOVER Farmer Dave was Kim’s true love and, worryingly for Rhona, is the man from Kim’s past who is most like Pete. Kim was willing to leave everything to be with him. If only he hadn’t snuffed it before she could! STEVE MARCHANT Steve loved money and Kim, and was willing…