Table of contents for 28 - 2019 in Inside Soap UK

“Samia has been an absolute delight” Do you know what’s just made me feel really old? The discovery that – as she tells us in her chat on p40 – Corrie’s Samia Longchambon (or Ghadi, as her surname was then) has been on the Street for just shy of two decades! I mean, I remember writing the feature when she arrived on the cobbles, as the pretty kennel maid who caught the eye of young Tyrone. Since then, we’ve been on quite the journey with her – and as Samia tells us in her interview, we should count ourselves lucky to have survived such a long time with Maria, given her history of dead boyfriends! Every step of the way, Samia has been an absolute delight, and when she chatted…

Harry becomes a first-time dad this week, after his former flame Sadie gives birth while paying a visit to Hollyoaks. “Harry’s terrified!” explains Parry Glasspool who plays him. “It all happens so fast – he’s walking through the village, and suddenly Sadie begins screaming at him, ‘I’m having the baby now!’” The shock arrival comes just as Harry and his other half James finally manage to have some quiet time on a relaxing date at the Dog. “It’s been a very stressful situation for the both of them,” Parry tells us. “They just want to have some time together and not worry about whether Harry’s going to prison for the hit-and-run – because at the moment there’s a high chance of that happening. But the date doesn’t last long…” Indeed,…

Given that he has two women on the go, you could be forgiven for thinking that Robert Preston was a lover and not a fighter. However, these new paparazzi shots show his real-life alter ego, Tristan Gemmill, filming upcoming scenes of Robert brawling in the street with his secret other woman Vicky’s ex-husband, Jed! So much for keeping your double life on the down-low, eh Robert? “While Robert is torn between Michelle and Vicky, it looks as if the mother of his unborn child will have a decision of her own to make, as Jed comes back into the picture,” whispers our cobbles source. “This does not bode well for Robert when Vicky is carrying his baby!” It all kicks off with Jed after Robert finds the window to his…

Pregnant Victoria is confronted with another bombshell from Lee’s family this week – when mum Wendy demands a DNA test. Convinced that the encounter between her son and Victoria was consensual, Wendy wants access to her grandchild. It’s a horrible moment when Victoria realises that Wendy is determined to force her to have her unborn baby DNA tested, so she can make a claim to be part of the child’s life. Victoria’s horror provokes Robert into plotting the drastic honey trap, but she can’t escape Wendy and her demands. Will Victoria be forced to give Lee and his family access to her child?…

“It’s like me and your mother all over again.” “Well, we don’t talk about her, do we?” “Suits me.” So – Tim’s mum, dead or alive? Either way, we suspect that Geoff has spun quite a web of lies to his son. “I never did learn to speak Klingon and I never did marry Carol Decker – her loss. But it’s only now, after 50 years, that I’ve finally got my act together. And a bit like a slightly older Avenger, I’ve managed to assemble all these superheroes in my life. They save the day, every day.” There’s still time to learn Klingon, Paddy. That always impresses the ladies! “Where’s Cain?” “He’s in Scotland, apparently. Not that he bothered to tell me until he was already there. But that’s okay,…

FAIR CITY Dean notices that Tessa might be regretting her decision this week, so he and Eoghan attempt to change her mind – will she accept the internship after all? Meanwhile, Hughie calls Brendan for help as Hughie’s rejection takes it’s toll on Heather’s state of mind! But will she go back to Brazil with Brendan? And Robbie opens up to Carol about his childhood. THE ARCHERS Alistair begs Jim to admit the truth to Fiona this week, but soon Alistair takes it upon himself to break the news. How will Fiona react? Over at Grange Farm, meanwhile, Clarrie’s evening out is cut short when she makes a shocking discovery about one of her sons! Plus, Lillian is summoned to the Lodge for an urgent meeting which soon becomes the…

Stuart is so messed up! For the first time since Stuart arrived, I actually feel quite sorry for him. With a dad like that, what chance did he ever have of turning out to be a decent person? Julian, London A few issues ago, Sarah, you asked if you were the only one who’s not shipping ‘Ballum’ – and the answer is “yes”! The more I see of the two of them After meeting Callum’s dad in EastEnders, I can definitely see why Callum’s been in the closet for so long. Jonno is so vile! I remember the same actor being in Hollyoaks as Mercedes’ dad, Billy, and as I recall, he was a terrible father in that as well! I reckon Jonno might just be worse. Penny Seeing Jonno…

While Maria navigates a new romance, Samia is happily married to her husband and former Dancing On Ice pro-skating partner, Sylvain Longchambon, and together they have a three-year-old son, Yves. The actress also has a nine-year-daughter, Freya, from her previous marriage – and neither of her children appear to be particularly fazed by their mummy’s showbiz career… “The novelty has well and truly worn off for Freya – she’s not bothered at all that I’m in Corrie,” grins Samia. “My son is just about getting there, though. I tried to get him to watch it the other night actually, but he was more interested in watching Blaze And The Monster Machine. I turned it on and said, ‘You can watch mummy in Corrie!’ and he said, ‘This isn’t Corrie!’ It…

“I’d love for Pete and Rhona to live happily ever after,” claims Dales star Anthony Quinlan, as his alter ego gets down on one knee and proposes to Rhona again this week. “However, I don’t know if that will be the case. There’s no question that they care about each other, but I don’t think they’re being true to themselves.” This week brings proposal number three for Pete and Rhona, whose romance has proved an emotional roller coaster from the moment it started. Although, as we wait to discover if it’ll be third time lucky for the pair, the cracks are already showing… “Pete is madly in love with Rhona – and he’s never doubted his feelings for her,” insists former Hollyoaks star Anthony. “I’ve said before that when they…

In a village where the residents spend most of their time hopping in and out of bed with each other, poor Scott has drawn the short straw – he’s barely had a sniff of romance in five years! But all that changed recently, when he met the handsome Dr Levi Rochester… “I so want Scott to be happy with Levi!” enthuses actor Ross Adams, as we ask him about his alter ego’s love life. “They got a bit fruity on Diane’s couch recently, and viewers loved it – they want Scott to be happy, and I do too.” With Damon and Maxine’s wedding just around the corner, Scott asks his new fella to be his ‘plus one’ for the big day. However, Ross hints that there may not be a…

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TUNING IN Olivia Colman, Suranne Jones, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent are among the stars set to record covers of their fave songs for this year’s BBC Children In Need. A special 60-minute show will follow their melodious efforts. TIME CRITICAL John Boyega and Letitia Wright are set to star in new BBC1 drama Small Axe. The six-part series, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen, will tell an anthology of stories within London’s West Indian community from the 1960s to the 1980s. LAUGHING GEAR Sir Lenny Henry is to host a three-part documentary for Gold this autumn. In Lenny Henry’s Race Through Comedy, he’ll meet folk behind the shows that shine a light on Britain’s multicultural history……

JULIA GOULDING (Shona Ramsey, Corrie ) IN  In real life, star Julia is pregnant with her first child with husband Ben Silver, which is due at the end of the year – however, she’s confirmed that she’s not going to be leaving Coronation Street just yet. “I’m so thrilled to say I’ve just signed to stay on the cobbles of Corrie for another year!” tweeted the actress recently. “I’ll be having a baby break when the time comes, but Shona will be back!” Autumn JODI ANASTA (Elly Brennan, Neighbours ) IN  Neighbours star Jodi Anasta has confirmed that she has returned to filming after a brief break from work. Last month, the star’s agent reported that she was taking three weeks off…

EASTENDERS Bobby’s unhappy birthday! WILL HIS BIG DAY BRING BIG TROUBLE? It’s Bobby’s birthday next week, and amid all the stress and tension following the teen’s recent release from prison, Ian and Kathy are keen to celebrate the event in an effort to cheer him up. But as Bobby continues to struggle with settling back into life on the Square, are balloons and birthday cake the very last thing he needs? EMMERDALE Moira’s mistake? Moira takes her meddling in Nate’s love life to the next level next week, when she chooses to make her feelings clear! But how will Nate react – and will Moira end up regretting her decision to wade in? HOME AND AWAY Shock news for Dean! HOLLYOAKS New romance for Peri? NEIGHBOURS Amy faces a big…

BULLSEYE! We shouldn’t be surprised that Lydia – aka Jenny Finn – has a skeleton in her closet. After all, this is a woman who has conversations with a dead parrot. Nevertheless, what a great twist it was to discover Lydia’s baby bombshell just as she took up Lisa Dingle’s mantle as ‘mother’ to the clan. Actress Karen Blick, who plays Lydia, is fully deserving of a huge plot – and is sure to be superb. David and Leyla posing as somebody else on an online gaming platform, to reel in Jacob, somehow doesn’t feel the most tactful way to help a victim of grooming. We shed a little tear when Jean got her ‘Officer And A Gentlemen’ moment with Kush. Too cute! How did it happen that EastEnders’ hot…

After Peter discovers that Gary’s back in the frame this week, he heads over to have it out with Gary there and then – a scene which Mikey says was heated on screen and off! “It gets really intense – Peter pins Gary up against a wall!” shares the star. “You don’t mess with Chris Gascoyne [who plays Peter] in scenes. Normally we get a fight director for stuff, yet out of nowhere, Chris picked me up and threw me against the wall! It was really good, and I loved it because it was so real, it wasn’t acting! My back’s not been right since, but the scene looked good!”…

HOLBY CITY Two more familiar faces are to reappear on the wards of Holby City, as the drama continues its 20th anniversary celebrations. Returning to the heart of the drama are cardiothoracic specialist Professor Elliot Hope – played by Paul Bradley – and general surgeon Diane Lloyd, aka Patricia Potter. “Elliot was the nearest thing to a father that Jac ever had,” says Holby’s executive producer Simon Harper, reminding us of their history. “Her desire to please and prove herself to him at a particularly fraught time will have huge emotional consequences in our climactic story for 2019.” Meanwhile, viewers will recall that Diane was killed off after a collision with a train! Is she to be resurrected? “No, Diane won’t be walking out of the shower, telling her colleagues…

Yashvi’s neighbourhood tours of Erinsborough take a sinister turn this week – when she decides to offer people the opportunity to visit various locations connected to notorious local criminal, Finn Kelly! After one of the punters on her local tour takes a special interest in Finn, Yashvi realises that there’s big money to be made from her neighbour. However, she also knows that if any of the Ramsay Street residents realise what she’s up to, she’ll be in a heap of trouble! Ultimately, the lure of easy cash proves too much, and Yashvi goes ahead with her dark tourism plan. But when one of her tour guests, Alfie, insists on having his photo taken with Finn – or at the very least getting a glimpse inside the house where he…

Leah and Maggie are on a mission to persuade their men to make up this week – but will Justin and Ben get on board? The former mates fell out after Ben discovered that Justin knew that Brody was cheating on Ziggy, and they haven’t spoken since. The women are aware that they won’t put their differences aside of their own accord, so decide to trick the pair into having dinner together! But how will Ben and Justin react when they realise what their other halves have been busy plotting?…

TY THE KNOT? In Corrie recently, Maria asked Tyrone why they split up when they were younger, but we never got to the bottom of it. Please remind me, Sarah! Jordan Teenage sweethearts Maria and Tyrone were engaged to be married – but Maria called things off after she found out that Tyrone had cheated on her with Fiz! WHIT’S MUM? In EastEnders, Whitney mentioned inviting her real mum, Debra, to her wedding. Have we ever seen her on screen? Kayleigh We have indeed! Debra abandoned Whit when she was little, leaving her in the care of her dad, Nathan. Whitney decided to track her  down in 2009, and  the pair started to bond – leading to the revelation that Whitney had a half-brother, Ryan Malloy! Whitney begged her mum…

Pete could certainly do with a bit of family support just now – and Anthony’s still pining for the stars who played his on-screen siblings: actors Joe Gill (Pete’s late brother Finn) and Michael Parr, whose Dales alter ego Ross left the village with girlfriend Rebecca White last year… “Do you know what, I miss them so much,” admits the actor. “Joe’s been busy doing a theatre tour, and Mike’s actually been back in the UK doing a bit of filming, so we always keep in touch. Joe was saying to me the other day that he misses the camaraderie and the buzz that we used to have on set. It’s kind of hard to replicate that, but they’re like my brothers in real life, so we speak a lot!”…

“It takes just one thing to set Rainie on the wrong road…” “We film with her and she just reacts in the right way, it’s incredible,” grins Tanya Franks, as she spills the beans on working with one of her closest co-stars – and also one of the smallest – the baby who plays Rainie and Max’s ward Abi.  “She’s amazing!” And while it’s all going wrong for Rainie this week (see p10), Tanya appreciates her character having at least one person on her side, as she struggles to keep Abi… Hello, Tanya! So considering the old acting adage advising against working with children, it sounds as if you’ve struck lucky? We’re blessed, as the little one who plays baby Abi is just adorable – an absolute joy to work…

1 Matthew Ian Wolfenden was born on 5 May 1980. He grew up in Norwood Green, Halifax, with his parents Ian and Janet, and his younger brother David. Matthew was educated at Brighouse High School where he went by the nickname ‘Wolfy’. 2 Prior to developing a keen interest in acting, Matthew was a competitive gymnast. “I got into the Great Britain under-16s team,” explains the star. “But then one night I fell off the rings and landed on my head instead of my feet, and fractured two vertebrae in my back. That put a stop to my gymnastics career.” 3 Matthew worked in West End theatre before he found telly fame. In his first job, Matthew sang to Barbara Windsor! “I was a dancer in Romeo & Juliet,” explains…

Marcella is back, as are her iffy career choices, relationship dilemmas, dodgy life coach – plus his new (and hilarious) assistant – and her bonkers family. As series two makes the leap from E4 to big sister Channel 4, we pick up where we left off, with Marcella miraculously passing her driving test, only to keep her instructor – and current beau – Jon in the dark by telling him she’s failed. Awks. Oh, and there’s that dalliance with her ex, Simon, still to deal with… Inside TV met up with the show’s star, creator, writer, executive producer and all-seeing eye Roisin Conaty, to find out what to expect… Series two feels as if the show has gone up another gear – are the characters more established now? Writing series…

Surely one of the many advantages of hosting a much-loved daytime quiz show with a successful primetime celebrity spin-off is that you can trust all of the celebs who come along to play the game will know exactly how it all works? Well, not always, according to Tipping Point: Lucky Stars host Ben Shephard… “We did one episode where my colleague from Good Morning Britain, Laura [Tobin], was on with Corrie’s Faye Brookes and [musician] Tito Jackson,” Ben recalls. “I’m not sure Tito had much idea what was going on! Laura and Faye know the show inside out – I don’t know if Tito was quite as aware of Tipping Point, but he was great fun!” Fortunately for players such as Tito, who might be coming in at a slight…

TOM JORDAN RIP Some sad news for fans of Irish soap Fair City: Tom Jordan, who’s played Charlie Kelly since episode one in 1989, has passed away at the age of 82. “This is devastating news,” says the show’s executive producer Brigie de Courcy. “Tom was the heart of Fair City. He played Charlie Kelly from the very first episode and was a huge part of our plans for the future. A consummate actor, and a strong advocate for his colleagues across the industry, he will remain a legend for the viewers and for everyone who had the privilege of working with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.” OUR DANNY-BOY! Danny-Boy Hatchard – best known as Mick and Linda’s son Lee Carter in EastEnders…

Hi, Karen! How did you feel when you were told about Lydia’s secret? It’s not your run-of-the-mill story, and I wanted to make sure I did it justice. I was interested in Lydia’s psychology and the reasons behind her behaviour – the cleaning, and her desire to control how people perceive her. Now that’s going to unravel – and it’s daunting, but a fantastic challenge. Does Lydia feel that she should be punished? Yes, she’s carried the guilt and shame through her whole adult life and now there’s no more hiding. This is her day of reckoning. At heart, she’s a good person and feels that she did the worst thing possible, so she should be punished. Can she deal with her guilt? I think there’s a way to go.…

Paula’s secret past Smitten Sophie will ask girlfriend Paula to move in with her this month – with dangerous consequences for the Webster clan. It seems lawyer Paula has a few skeletons in her closet… Cop a load of Robbo!  Could Home and Away’s Robbo be heading back to the police force? Star Jake Ryan has fuelled speculation that Robbo’s rejoining the feds after he posted a pic on his Instagram of him filming in an abandoned warehouse, holding a gun and wearing a police vest! Keep ’em coming! If you haven’t done so already, remember to cast your votes in this year’s Inside Soap Awards. Head to our website www.insidesoap.co.uk to make them count!…

“I’m loving watching Sheila and Paul team up in Neighbours to sabotage their kids’ relationship – they make such a great duo! But I’d love to see them take it one step further and have a drunken bunk-up. Imagine the looks on their faces when they wake up the next day!” …chuckles reader Sally from York “Prediction: The ‘Sheanu’ affair reveal will mimic Sharongate – but this time it’ll be Phil shoving Keanu down that mechanic’s pit! I do worry for that boy…” …wails reader Anna “With Carla having given out shares of the factory to the workers, I hope it turns into one of those old plots from Dallas or Howard’s Way. Sally could buy lots of small shares and burst into a board meeting saying: ‘But I control…

How to solve a problem like Maria Connor has been a Coronation Street conundrum for as long as we can remember. Audrey’s star hairdresser is an absolute stunner and, deep down, a really sweet girl – yet the majority of her fellas tend to wind up dead! (See our graveyard of Maria’s failed romances on p98.) We’re quick to raise our concerns with lovely actress Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria, seeing as this week she succumbs to the charms of Inside Soap favourite Dr Ali. Is Maria finally set to find true love this time? Or is the smitten medic doomed to meet the same fate as those before him? “Maria is the black widow!” laughs 37-year-old Samia, shaking her head and smiling as we join her in the Rovers…

After such an arduous time for her alter ego, Amanda will take a break from our screens in a few weeks – but she’s certainly not been sitting back and putting her feet up during her time off… “I have a production company, so I’ve been filming a pilot for a series that I want to get off the ground,” she tells us. “I’ve been directing and producing. I love that side of things, and I’m actually going to direct some episodes of River City soon. “But I’m looking forward to getting back to Casualty – I really miss everyone!” adds Amanda. “I can’t wait to get Connie’s heels back on!”…

“Her intentions are pure – she just wants to find out about her family!” There’s a massive shock in store for Paul Robinson this week, when he goes to visit his son Robert in prison – only to find Robert’s secret daughter, Harlow, there! It’s a huge surprise to Paul to discover that he has a granddaughter he never even knew about. We sit down for a chat with newcomer Jemma Donovan about her famous family – on screen and off… Hey Jemma! Your dad (Jason Donovan, aka Scott Robinson) and grandad (Terence, who played Doug Willis) have both been in Neighbours – did you ever think you’d be in the show, too? I always knew about the history of Neighbours, and how much my family enjoyed watching it –…

“ I love working on the market area of the back lot [the exterior Albert Square set]. There’s always lots of people around and it’s lovely being out there while the sun’s shining, getting some fresh air.” “I’m really loving that Rainie wears a wedding ring and engagement ring at the moment. She’s holding on to those right now – they’re a big part of her journey of responsibility, so they are probably my favourite props.” “Between scenes I’m more often than not in my dressing room. It’s like my little haven where I can read scripts – but it’s also nice to sit and chat with people. I have a blender in there too, so I can make smoothies!” “ Scott Maslen [Jack] makes me laugh the most. Honestly,…

It’s been 16 years since Corrie’s Richard Hillman killed poor, innocent Maxine Peacock –and actress Tracy Shaw, who played Maxine for eight years, bowed out of the show, and stepped out of the limelight to focus on raising her family. Clearly the dead do not rest easy in Weatherfield, as we were thrilled to see Tracy back in action recently (not looking a day older) and ready to take her revenge on ‘Tricky Dicky’ actor Brian Capron! The surprise reunion was a wheeze cooked-up by Loose Women, as Tracy joined the panel to discuss her upcoming return to the UK stage, in the play Beyond Therapy. Since Corrie, Tracy has had two sons, Louis (14) and Luca (nine) with fiancé Ashley Poundall. The star has kept in touch with her…

I’m a science-fiction geek, so I love anything with a monster or a dragon in it! I’ve recently watched Star Trek: Discovery and Game Of Thrones, and I watch a lot of things on Netflix. I feel like there’s loads of stuff on my list that I need to see. I’m really excited to catch up with Years And Years – that should be right up my street, because it has sci-fi elements, plus I’ve heard that it’s great, so I’m looking forward to watching that one. I love Killing Eve – it’s one of those shows that challenges expectations around gender and sexuality nicely with its two female protagonists, and the idea that they’re romantically interested in each other: will they or won’t they? As a child, if…

Headteacher Mandy Carter gives birth on Ackley Bridge this week, and despite years of experience working with children, the thought of having a child of her own leaves her overwhelmed. And as for Jo Joyner, who plays her, she’s going to miss her fake bump… “I love it!” she laughs. “I was never happier than when I was pregnant, and for some reason I think it looks better. Maybe it balances out my bum?!” Mandy wasn’t the only one with mixed emotions about her pregnancy, either, as Jo wasn’t sure at first that this particular development was right for the character… “When I took the part, I found it interesting that I’d be playing a woman who didn’t want children,” she recalls. “But I think it will be interesting to…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Ciaran Coulson....................... Rick Warden 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 Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Will Noble................................. Jack Nolan Ruby Spark................................ Maddy Hill CORONATION STREET Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Eddison Bailey....... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Adam Barlow...................... Sam Robertson 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…