Inside Soap UK 35 - 2019

“We’ve been spoiled with character returns” Bianca’s back! How amazing. If you asked any soap fan for their most-wanted comebacks, you can guarantee that our Bi would be right on the top of the dream list. We’ve been spoiled in the past year with classic character returns. Kim Tate and soon Mandy Dingle are rocking the Dales like it’s 1999, while we had Sean Slater’s emotional return to Albert Square, and even Fiona Middleton popped herself on Skype to say hello to Corrie viewers last week. Although some of them won’t hang around forever, these reappearances are a great treat, rewarding longterm fans for their loyalty. Meanwhile, it’s heartwarming to know that stars with big post-soap careers such as Rob Kazinsky (Sean) as Angela Griffin (Fiona) haven’t forgotten where they…

What should be the happiest day of Whitney’s life turns into her worst nightmare this week – after she finally discovers that Callum cheated on her with Ben! Once the secret is out, Callum is adamant that he wants to go through with the wedding, and tries to convince Whitney that she is the person that he wants to be with. But will the bride be able to move past his betrayal, so the pair can live happily ever after? “I think the word ‘happily’ for Callum might be the wrong word!” despairs actor Tony Clay, who plays him. “I think in his mind, in terms of what Callum’s dad and brother think – and what he thinks the world’s interpretation of him is – marrying Whitney is what he…

Tony, you’ve broken Whit’s heart! Just what do you have to say for yourself? Tony I’m really sorry! Poor Whitney, but hooray for Ballum! How has the public reacted to it? Max I don’t think either of us expected it to be as immediate and brilliant as it has been! Tony I think that Callum brings out a side to Ben that he knows is in there. He looks at Ben and thinks, ‘All that anger, I understand that, I’ve been surrounded by that in the Army, people pretending to be who they aren’t’. However, there is a good person inside of Ben, which makes him endearing and lovely, and Callum really tries to bring out the part of him that he loves. Could Ben and Callum make a proper…

Fugitives Keanu and Louise are back on the Square this week – alongside Louise’s mother Lisa – but can the innocent mechanic persuade Ben to tell the police the truth about Phil’s attack? Keanu fled Walford after he was accused by Ben of bashing Phil, and – knowing he would be facing years in jail if he was found guilty – he made the heartbreaking decision to go on the run with his pregnant fiancée. But now the pair are home, and Keanu knows Ben is the key to clearing his name. However, his future brother-in-law isn’t keen to help him out of trouble… “Keanu’s back with one thing on his mind – getting Ben to tell the truth,” reveals our Walford insider. “He just can’t fathom why Ben is…

Hi, Lucy, it’s great to see you again! How did you feel to be back in EastEnders? I was last back two years ago for a four-week stint, and I didn’t see many of the cast, as it was quite an isolated storyline. So when I came back this time, just seeing familiar faces and having Tamzin [Outhwaite, aka Mel] and Patsy [Palmer, who plays Bianca] there was a joy. It was like coming home. Can you tease a little bit about Lisa’s comeback? It’s all going on in this week – drama just seems to follow Lisa around! When I first got the scripts, I remember saying, “Flippin’ heck! This is just crazy!” I’m thrilled to be a part of this – I love playing Lisa, she’s so multi-faceted.…

While Mel prepares to flee the Square with jailbreaker son Hunter this week, she’s horrified to realise her boy is going nowhere until his nemesis Jack has been punished! Having violently broken his way out of prison, Hunter remains hell bent on bringing down the man he blames for his incarceration. Managing to escape his mother’s desperate clutches, Hunter coldly stalks his prey. But as his bid to target Jack goes dangerously awry, he finds himself trapped in the Vic – where a gunshot soon rings out. So who will die? “The pub is packed to the gills with Callum and Whitney’s wedding guests, and nobody is safe,” reveals our Walford insider. “Hunter’s fury knows no bounds, and with Mel helpless to change his mind, he’ll stop at nothing to…