Table of contents for 50 - 2019 in Inside Soap UK

It’s begining to feel a lot like Christmas – well, it certainly is in the Inside Soap office! We’ve decorated our walls with soap Chrimbo pics of old (my favourite is a 60s scene in the Rovers – classic!). The festive tunes are on, and we’re all geared up for the most wonderful time of the year. “We’ve decorated our walls with soap Chrimbo pics!” This week, all the soaps are putting the pieces in place for their blockbuster plots, while we’ve been making a guide to soapie gifts for Christmas, and caught up with a Corrie classic – Thelma Barlow, aka Mavis Wilton – who shared tales of Street festivities of the past. But we’ve been extra-busy, because we’re also putting the finishing touches to our huge Christmas double…

While Liv’s life hangs in the balance on screen, off screen, star Isobel Steele is riding high on the success of her first album! The talented singer released her EP, Sounds From The Lounge, at the beginning of November, and was delighted to share the news that it had been streamed more than 17,000 times in three weeks… “I spent a lot of time working on this project,” she told followers of her Instagram account. “The main reason being, these were the first songs I’d ever written and I had no idea what I was doing. “I’m still a little clueless about everything, but I feel now, more than ever, I’m on the right track. The songs I’m writing are getting better and better, and I honestly can’t wait to…

Future shocks! The Hollyoaks cast is in the dark about the upcoming flashforward episode – which will tease scenes a year in the future. “We just know there’s something scary and tragic coming,” says star Lysette Anthony (Marnie). “It’s a bit like starting an Agatha Christie novel…” Baytime TV Home and Away has revealed there will be joy and tears when the show returns in 2020. “After a tragedy rocks the town, we will watch the community come together at the most unexpected wedding the Bay has ever seen,” says a source. Ooh – but which couple will tie the knot? Goodbye Holby Ex-Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood-Davis (Kim Butterfield) has revealed her Holby character Phoebe will bow out next week. “Loved working there,” she tweeted. Daisy will play…

DEBBIE The secret love child of Charity and Cain arrived as a foster daughter for Paddy and then-wife Emily – but her true parentage was quickly revealed. Cain immediately wanted to build bridges, while Charity struggled to become the mum Debs needed. It fell to Lisa and Zak to help bring up Debbie, and they did a grand job. AARON Growing up with paedophile dad Gordon Livesy was a living nightmare for Aaron, so no wonder he resented his mother Chas for leaving. When he was forced to move to the Dales, he lashed out and caused no end of heartbreak. Skip to now, and Aaron’s super-close to his mum and his family – particularly his Uncle Cain… RYAN Nobody knew Ryan existed – not even mum Charity herself! She’d…

Since his return to the cobbles four years ago, Robert Preston has packed lots of drama into his time on Corrie. Passion-filled romances with Tracy and Michelle, a battle with testicular cancer, steroid abuse, a near-fatal car crash and a secret love child – it’s enough to leave anyone exhausted! This week, Robert is collared by the cops and accused of being responsible for the disappearance of Vicky, the woman carrying his child. But as actor Tristan Gemmill, who plays him, prepares to wave goodbye to the Street, he tells us that he’s delighted there’s been no let-up in the action. “Robert’s light has burned pretty brightly!” laughs the star. “I have no complaints on that score. Corrie isn’t like anything I’ve done before, because it’s so ingrained in the…

They have just fallen in love, and are excited about their future – but Christmas Day could go very wrong for village lovebirds Graham and Rhona. It’s no secret that actor Andrew Scarborough is bowing out as Graham soon, meaning that Rhona’s going to be left heartbroken once again. Could it all kick off at Christmas? You’d better believe it! “Rhona’s hoping for a wonderful Christmas – she’s even invited Marlon round in a moment of stupidity!” teases Zoe. “She wants Leo to have what will be his last Christmas, potentially, in Emmerdale with his dad. Rhona’s also spending it with Graham, and she’s genuinely quite thrilled about the future and what’s to come. Whether she does end up crying into her Christmas pudding, you’ll just have to watch!”…

Jack Osborne’s life hasn’t been a barrel of laughs since the tragic death of his wife Frankie in 2017. But as we catch up with actress Helen Pearson – aka Frankie – she says that leaving her screen hubby in the lurch was the right decision… “Fifteen-and-a-half years was long enough,” she admits. “I think Frankie had done pretty much everything she could do on the show. She got up to some hi-jinks – she was quite a goer and had a couple of flings with younger men! It was fun, but I wanted to do other things.” A heart attack saw Frankie meet her maker, but the exit opened the door to some exciting opportunities for Helen – including shooting a romcom in Rome. “What a great place to…

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun – now that our Coronation Street favourites have completed their annual festive light switch-on! Proud as punch to be bringing festive cheer to Manchester’s ‘Gay Village’ were cobbles stars Charlie de Melo (Imran), Daniel Brocklebank (Billy), Dolly-Rose Campbell (Gemma), Sam Aston (Chesney) and Rob Mallard (Daniel). The Weatherfield crew swapped the Rovers Return for the glamour of club New York New York to flick on the lights – and were greeted by lots of excited fans enjoying an early Christmas present, in the form of the five Street beauties! We’re just glad the stars had smiles on their faces, as their alter egos will no doubt be facing a cruel Yule… BEST ENDERS! There was an exciting EastEnders reunion at a recent…

Newcomer Mollie Gallagher (Nina) has spoken of her delight at her role on the cobbles. And while Nina’s not keen on being in her newly discovered Uncle Roy’s life right now, Mollie reckons he shouldn’t give up on her just yet… “Nina’s a very interesting character, and a bit of an outsider,” she shares. “While she’s reluctant to let Roy into her life, she soon realises they have more in common than she thought.” Meanwhile, Mollie can’t wait to be sharing plenty more scenes with David Neilson, who plays Roy. “I’m thrilled to be at Corrie!” she beams. “I grew up watching the show, and it’s surreal to be on the set working with incredible actors like David and Alison King [Carla].”…

There’s more heartache ahead for Fiz and Tyrone, as wicked Jade cooks up a new plan to destroy their family. Viewers now know that Jade Rowan is the secret daughter of Fiz’s dead serial killer husband John Stape, and she’s determined to get her hands on her little sister, Hope. After months of secrecy about Jade’s true identity, Corrie star Lottie Henshall – who plays her – is delighted that the truth is out, and she teases that things are going to get much worse for the Dobbs-Stape family… “The main goal for Jade is to be with Hope and to look after her,” she reveals. “Jade’s been fed lies her entire life and she’s been brainwashed into thinking Fiz is this evil person. She genuinely believes that Fiz is…

FAIR CITY Fiona puts on an act this week to cover her stress about the missing USB stick, but soon things go from bad to worse… Meanwhile, Erica is irritated by Darragh’s lack of enthusiasm about the charity sleep-out. And Hayley sets her sights on McCoys! RIVER CITY Rory convinces Lenny that he doesn’t have ulterior motives this week – but he’s after revenge on his brother! Can anyone rescue Alex in time? Elsewhere, Dylan and Ruby grow closer under the mistletoe. Plus, Scarlett concocts a plan to reunite her friends… THE ARCHERS After the fallout from last week, Phoebe is determined to make amends – however one person struggles to keep the peace! Meanwhile, there’s trouble at the farm when Harrison reveals some news. And things seem to be…

I get that EastEnders’ Linda has been through a really stressful time recently, and it’s no wonder she’s hit the bottle. But I don’t buy for one second that she would put her son Ollie in danger by drink-driving – that’s just not something Linda would do. Colin I’m glad that EastEnders has chosen to show Linda using alcohol as a crutch to deal with her problems, as many people do nowadays. And she has an endless supply of booze readily available to her. Let’s hope she doesn’t follow in the footseps of infamous Vic landlady Angie Watts, and drink herself to death! Hannah, London The last thing Linda needed after being charged with drink-driving was for Max to offer her a large glass of wine! I can’t think of…

One of the most important storylines Tristan played during his time as Robert was the character’s battle with testicular cancer. The show’s team was determined to get the story right and help educate viewers about the disease. But none of them could have known it would end up being important to one man in particular. “The story saved someone’s life!” explains Tristan. “A viewer in Canada [called Scott Wray] saw the story, checked himself, and it saved him.” Scott and his wife Emily thanked Tristan, co-star Kym Marsh (Michelle) and the rest of the Corrie  team for inspiring him to do a self-check and ensuring that he found the tumour early. He went on to have an orchidectomy (where one or both testicles are removed) and underwent treatment. “[Scott] came…

Twelve years is an extremely long time to be plotting revenge – so when Robert Robinson explodes back on to our screens this week, you can be certain that he has something truly awful in mind for the object of his fury: his dad Paul! Robert’s currently serving a jail sentence in a high-security prison for the murder of three people, and the attempted murder of many others. However, when his daughter Harlow visits him to find out whether he would consider donating a kidney to his ailing half-brother David, she sets off a terrible chain of events that nobody could possibly foresee… “Robert’s back – and even bigger and badder than before!” “Robert’s back – and he’s even bigger and badder than before!” exclaims star Adam Hunter, who first…

1 Georgia Taylor was born on 26 February 1980 in Wigan. The star was actually born Claire Jackson, but took on her stage name when she started acting. Georgia is half-Irish, and grew up with her younger brother David. She got into performing as a teen, and attended Winstanley College in Wigan. 2 In 1997, Georgia joined the cast of Corrie as Toyah Battersby. The youngster arrived on the cobbles with her mum Janice, as well as stepdad Les and stepsister Leanne. Toyah’s most memorable plots included being abducted after she ran away to London to find her biological dad, and her rape by Phil Simmonds. Toyah left in 2003, but Georgia reprised the role in 2016, when it emerged she was having an affair with Leanne’s ex Peter! “The…

• Hollyoaks star Danny Mac (Dodger Savage) will burst into song at London’s Dominion Theatre, in a new production of White Christmas. • EastEnders favourite Steve McFadden (Phil) couldn’t resist the pull of panto. He’s back playing his part of Captain Hook in Peter Pan at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford. • The cobbles’ Kym Marsh (Michelle) appears on stage as Jovie in the new production of Elf, which will play in Liverpool, Glasgow and Wembley this Christmas. • Check out Albert Square’s Danny Dyer (Mick) reprising his role this Christmas as the Hollywood producer in Nativity! The Musical. Catch him at the Apollo in London between 11 and 29 December.…

Get into the spirit of the festive season, like Julia, with one of these playful animal-themed Christmas jumpers……

Succession is hands-down the best drama I’ve seen in years. I’ve not got around to watching the second series yet, because I’ve been working on a play that has been taking every inch of my brain power, but it’s very funny and so real. These people are horrible, and yet they’re compelling to watch. Mum is one of my favourite shows that’s ever been made – it’s just genius. Every single person in it is hilarious and heartbreakingly brilliant. If you read the script, you’d think it was just about making somebody a cup of tea, but the acting and the subtext behind it is fantastic – I’ve rewatched it many, many times! My best-loved film is probably Amadeus – I love it because it’s epic. And Ferris Bueller’s Day…

Stressed Gemma is left feeling ashamed this week, after her first promotional stunt for Freshco doesn’t go as planned – and she’s soon wondering if she can really cope with her new family… “As you can imagine, Gemma’s struggling to make sure four babies are looked after, changed and fed in a timely fashion,” explains our Weatherfield insider. “Everyone is keen to help, and Ches’ best pal Kirk does his best to assist by suggesting a production-line approach to changing nappies. It works like a charm, and soon the new parents are feeling good about their progress.” But it’s a messy business – and when Frescho turns up for a photo shoot with the quads, Gemma panics at the state of her house. Soon, her desperate attempt to hide the…

“You’re just jealous cos Gray’s got a massive one. And you want to get your mitts on it, don’t ya? Tough. It’s all mine. How big is it again? Them extra inches make all the difference.” In case you missed this scene, she was talking about his TV set. “I’m not doing my homework again until you buy me a new iPad!” We’re going to try this on our editor. “We’re not interviewing any more soap stars until you buy us a new iPad!” “Not everyone is as lucky as you. Perfect marriage to a devastatingly handsome young man, who is also pretty great at getting you pregnant.” Ah – perhaps not as good as you might think, Jamie… “You have to admit, you are a little bit Doctor Who…

Sacha comes to Essie’s rescue this week, and offers her a place to stay – after her ceiling caves in at home! Sacha doesn’t think twice about helping his former girlfriend while the repairs are being carried out, and Essie is hugely grateful. However, when Sacha’s daughter Beka ends up on the ward as a patient – having been struck down by appendicitis – she forces her dad to think about whether it will be weird to live with Essie again. In his heart of hearts, Sacha agrees that slipping back into a routine with Essie might not be the most sensible idea given their history, so he then fudges an excuse and retracts his original offer! But where does that leave Essie? And has Sacha made the right decision?…

Brody’s struggling with his guilty conscience this week – but feels even worse after Sienna suggests that Liberty take a pregnancy test! Having discovered Sienna’s last egg wasn’t viable, Liberty and Brody slept together – and both are now feeling the heat. But as Sienna ploughs on with her and Brody’s IVF bid, she’s keen for Liberty to take another test – and Brody agrees, so at least they’ll know the truth. Will the pregnancy test be positive? And if so, will Brody be forced to come clean?…

GREEN DREAM Maria in Corrie has been wearing a lovely green floral skirt recently – it would be great to wear for Christmas lunch! Do you know where it’s from? Janet The Deidra Green Floral Flippy Skirt is from JoanieClothing.com, and only costs £12. Get in! BAY BREAK I hate it when Home and Away takes a really long break over Christmas! I know we’re a few weeks behind Australia, so why can’t it stay on Channel 5 so we catch up like we did with Neighbours? Nadine Wouldn’t that be great? Sadly, Home and Away also takes a long break over Christmas in Australia (the season finale aired on 27 November, and it doesn’t return to screens until well into January) – so even if we were to catch…

We love Emmerdale’s Rhona – she’s kind, decent and one of the smartest women in soapland. So, it rather beggars belief that she’s currently entertaining the thought of her and son Leo moving away with new bloke Graham, despite them being a couple for approximately two minutes. Not only is it bizarre because the last time Rhona planned to emigrate, it drove Marlon to turn vigilante, but the job offer from France has very suspicious timing. So, as we sit down with the Dales’ Zoe Henry (Rhona), we need to know what on earth is her alter ego thinking? “It feels like a really good chance to change things and make a new start,” explains the star. “The village is quite hostile for Rhona at the moment, particularly with her…

Dodgy lawyer James is no stranger to fraternising with criminals – but he goes one step further this week, when he enters into business with gangster Liam! But are they secretly playing each other? We grabbed star Gregory Finnegan (James) for the low-down… Hi Greg! What can you tell us about James and Liam’s new business venture? They plan to offer a protection racket to local businesses – and they feel Mercedes is a prime target for someone in need of protection, having been shot! Does he trust Liam? No! He knows Liam is a savvy operator, and he doesn’t trust him at all. However, that may change over time… James is still in the frame for shooting Mercy – could it have been him? He thinks Mercedes killed Harry,…

THE BIG STORIES IDENTITY CRISIS Mick’s world caved in when he learned the people he thought were his parents were actually his grandparents. His biological mum was his ‘sister’, Shirley, and his dad her ex, Buster Briggs. Shirley and Buster were also parents to a second son, Dean – who Mick thought was his nephew. STUART’S TRAP When Mick’s childhood friend Stuart rocked up in Walford, it brought back dark memories for Mick’s sister Tina, who was bullied by Stuart as a teen. Stuart came unhinged after Mick told him to leave town, and arranged for himself to be shot in the Vic – framing Mick for the crime and sending him to prison for months. VIPER IN THE NEST Dean was deeply envious of what he saw as Mick’s…

5 WINTER WONDERLAND! With Hope poorly, Tyrone was determined to give her the perfect Christmas. And while his Street winter wonderland had the little girl entranced, it left him with huge debts, which had far-reaching consequences for the family… 4 TURKEY LURKY!  The Battersbys thought Christmas dinner was sorted when Les got a cheap turkey from his mate – sadly, Teresa was still alive! Toyah’s boyfriend Spider liberated the bird, but Teresa ran into the road and was killed… 3 HIGH DRAMA! Tracy turned murderous on Underworld’s roof when she found Karen McDonald there. She wanted to kill her for pretending that baby Amy was in a burning car, but Steve stopped her delivering the fatal blow. While Karen survived, the McDonald marriage was DOA! 2…

Sinead’s cancer storyline in Corrie has won two prestigious awards at the 2019 Royal Television Society North West Awards – which honour the best TV produced in the top-left corner of England. The plot was named Best Continuing Drama Storyline and beat off competition from ‘Carla’s psychosis’ – also from Corrie – and two Hollyoaks nominees: ‘Lily’s self-harm’ and ‘Ste’s Far-Right Radicalisation’. (Yes, it’s been quite the year for the LOLs in soap.) In addition, Rob Mallard was lauded for Best Performance in a Continuing Drama for his role as Daniel – winning out over his co-star and fellow nominee Katie McGlynn (Sinead). But they were both happy to bask in reflected glory. “I can’t think of a more deserving winner for Best Actor!” gushed Katie. “Well done, darling!” And…

Polaar Essentials Cracker This cutely packaged cracker contains three of Polaar’s essentials – Ice Source cream, Night Revitalizing cream, and lip balm – to revitalize skin. Clarins Festive Lips & Lashes Cracker Open up these festive treats with the pull of the cracker, and discover Wonder Perfect 4D mascara and Joli Rouge Velvet lipstick. Bubble T Cosmetics Christmas Cracker Bath Bomb Gift Set This jumbo cracker features three full-sized bath fizzers, in sweet hibiscus and acai berry, lemongrass and green tea, and Moroccan mint tea fragrances. Sara Miller Beauty Cracker Gift Set Indulge in a little luxury with this gorgeous cracker containing a passion flower and green tea lip gloss, and two lavish hand creams.…

WHILE WE’LL ADMIT THAT WE’RE often the sort to glaze over when other people start talking about their babies, we’ve found this series – which follows a variety of families both in the run-up to the arrival of a child and the months after the birth – to be unmissable telly. What we like most is seeing how these sets of parents from different walks of life have so much in common: that having a baby makes all of them tired and emotional and anxious and full of love. We suspect it’s been a big comfort to viewers with a newborn of their own, who’ll feel far more normal than they did before……

BIG NIGHT IN Craig David will be helping us to see in the New Year with a live concert on BBC1. The star who brought us hits such as Fill Me In will be performing at London’s Central Hall Westminster as we say goodbye to 2019. MASTER MOVES Taskmaster is on the move – to Channel 4. The BAFTAnominated entertainment series, with Greg Davies and Alex Horne, has been snapped up after nine series on Dave and will air its 10th on C4 in late 2020. CHECK IT OUT Fancy a stay in a luxury hotel? We can’t quite promise that, but here’s the next best thing: ITV will take a look behind closed doors at the Savoy in a new five-part series to show us all what it takes…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Rosa Cadenas......................... Jacey Sallés Ciaran Coulson....................... Rick Warden Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin................ Cathy Shipton Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia.......................... Tony Marshall 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 Lev Malinowski......................... Uriel Emil Rash Masum........................... Neet Mohan Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Will Noble................................. Jack Nolan Mason Reede.......................... Victor Oshin Ruby Spark................................ Maddy Hill CORONATION STREET Izzy Armstrong............... Cherylee Houston Adam Barlow...................... Sam Robertson Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Eddison Bailey....... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Amy Barlow.......................... Elle Mulvaney Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby.................... Georgia Taylor Emma…

RUXANDRA POROJNICU (Alina Pop, Corrie ) IN Seb’s ex-girlfriend Alina is confirmed for a return to the cobbles early in the new year, with actress Ruxandra tweeting a picture of her script in late November, and the message, “I’m so excited!”, as she resumed filming. Alina was a crucial part of the human trafficking storyline, and was forced to work at the nail bar Nail Sparkle, which was run by a slavery ring. She left Weatherfield after Seb helped to set her free, but could the couple have another shot at happiness? 2020 KYM MARSH (Michelle Connor, Corrie ) OUT Kym’s final Corrie scenes will air over the festive period, but the star is already moving on to her next projects. “I have some very…

BROOKIE’S DEAN BEATS PROSTATE CANCER Former Brookside actor Dean Sullivan – who played the ex-soap’s longest-serving character, Jimmy Corkhill – has spoken about his battle with prostate cancer. “I’d noticed when I was going to the loo that my stream wasn’t as strong as it used to be,” he told The Mirror. “I used to joke I would be able to pee over a wall it was so strong. I never imagined it was something to do with my prostate, though, because I didn’t have any of the other symptoms, such as going to the toilet several times in the night.” Dean underwent radiotherapy earlier this year, and has now been given the all-clear. Glad to hear it! NO MORE SCARBOROUGH Ex-Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) has confirmed that…

BULLSEYE! It’s refreshing to see Peter and Carla – with their reputations for being total disaster magnets – enjoying some normality for a change. We’ve been struck by how they’ve stepped up for Daniel in his time of need and kept a watchful eye over Bertie. (They’d make wonderful parents themselves, we think.) It’s all simple stuff, but a welcome break from the usual Corrie mayhem! If planning an election campaign video, perhaps don’t interview your son in the actual room where he clubbed your daughter to death. We like the way Moira refers to “that Nate” as if they weren’t caning the suspension on his caravan for three solid months. Yes, we may have issues… but we just couldn’t cope with the number of odd socks on Charity’s washing…