Table of contents for 15 - 2020 in Inside Soap UK

“There’s plenty of cheer in the Dales” How are you finding the new soap schedule? I must admit, I’m still going, “Oh, it’s nearly Emmerdale time”, and boiling the kettle or getting a snack from the cupboard – then realising, when You’ve Been Framed! cranks up on my screen, that the Dales drama isn’t on tonight! But we’re getting used to a lot of changes in our life at the moment, aren’t we? We’ve made some adjustments to Inside Soap over the past couple of weeks, to make sure we bring you the biggest and most in-depth soapie treat every week – I think we need it more than ever right now, don’t you? So, do give us a shout and let us know what you’d like to see more…

Hey, Reece! How did your Dales role come about? I’d been working on the show as a director, and on my last day I got called up to see the bosses. I thought, ‘It’s a bit late in the day to sack me!’ So when they made me an offer to be in the show, I really wasn’t expecting it! But I thought it would be wonderful to be an actor again. How much did the bosses tell you about Paul? They told me certain things. They told me he comes in with a good intentions. Vinny was only four when Paul walked out, so he wants to make amends for what he’s done. What’s it been like working alongside Lisa? I’m going to big up Lisa! As an actor…

“Give Emma a break – how many times have you had your heart broken?” “Darling, my heart is solid granite, you could make kitchen worktops out of it.” We’re sure it goes very nicely with the Moroccan kidney. “Geoff! Get away from my granddaughter, NOW!” We heard every single one of Corrie’s 5.7 million viewers shouting ‘yes!’ together. “My family hates you.” “I don’t want to kiss your family.” Which, in Emmerdale, is a massive tick in the plus column. “The important thing is getting Dan back on his feet.” “Do you think it would have affected him down under? Not that I’m bothered. I can be a very imaginative lover.” Pass the brain bleach! “I’LL CUT YOUR HEART OUT! ROT IN HELL!” Don’t hold back, Shazza. Tell us how…

Anxious Paddy continues to put on a brave face this week, reassuring Chas that everything’s okay. The new dad is in turmoil following his catastrophic error a few weeks ago. Although Chas has forgiven him for accidentally leaving baby Eve in the car alone outside the hospital, Paddy can’t forget what he did. Instead, he’s consumed with fear that he might hurt his precious daughter and doesn’t trust himself to be alone with her. Will Chas realise that something is very wrong?…

CAN YASMEEN BREAK FREE? Yasmeen seems to finally be realising what Geoff’s up to in Coronation Street, after Alya confronted him. But will the truth out – or will Geoff continue to tighten his grip over Yasmeen? I’ve never been keen on Alya, but recently I’ve really come to like her. I feel as if Sair Khan’s acting has gone from strength to strength. Plus, Alya and Ryan have become a great pair of detectives. Maisy, Lincoln I loved the scene where Alya confronted Geoff and he lost it with her! It shows that Geoff is prepared to be violent with anyone, not just Yasmeen. I think he’s more dangerous than we first thought. Maybe it will get even worse for the Nazirs. Jess Some people have been complaining about…

Sam’s so besotted with Lydia that he’d have happily said ‘I do’ to his bride while she was still wearing her cleaning apron! However, thankfully for star Karen, the Dales costume department pushed the boat out on a gorgeous 50s-style frock, fit for a Dingle Queen… “We stayed true to her character, but it was really nice to get dressed up and have loads of make-up on, as usually Lydia just has a ponytail because she is cleaning,” she says. “She wears false eyelashes, and everything! “The dress itself is a little bit vintage,” adds Karen. “Our costume designer Ian Holmes showed me a picture of what he had in mind, and Lou [another designer] created what I think they call a birdcage. It’s like a fascinator with a veil,…

Working closely with charity The Children’s Society, Hollyoaks will place many of the teens into the world of ‘county lines’ and organised drug dealing during this year-long plot County lines activities involve the grooming and exploitation of young people to move drugs across the country, including to coastal and rural areas – then sell them using mobile phone ‘lines’. The Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, has estimated that as many as 50,000 youngsters in Britain are being coerced into this type of criminal behaviour. Criminals involved in county lines also take over the homes of vulnerable people using threats, a practice known as ‘cuckooing’. Exploited children may have to stay in these ‘trap houses’ – such as the one Sid and Juliet visit – for weeks at a time…

1 Samuel Robertson was born on 11 October 1985 in Dundee. Sam went to the University of Manchester but dropped out in his first year, after he was offered his role in Coronation Street. “I was doing a bit of modelling part-time to help fund my studies,” he says. “And through that I was asked to audition for a part in Coronation Street.” 2 Sam first joined Corrie as Adam Barlow in 2004 at the age of 18. He played the part for three years, before returning in 2016. Adam is Weatherfield royalty, spanning two great clans, as the son of Mike Baldwin and grandson of Ken Barlow. His dramas have involved wrangles over the factory ownership, revenge on Billy for his part in Adam’s mother’s death and romance with…

Love in lockdown! CORRIE STAR JOE POPS THE QUESTION TO CAST MATE SALLY… Coronation Street actors Joe Duttine and Sally Carman – aka Tim and Abi – gave us all something to smile about during these difficult times, when they announced their engagement on social media! Delighted Joe posted a pic on his Twitter account of him and Sally toasting their happy news, as she showed off her stunning emerald engagment ring. “She said yes everyone,” Joe told his followers. Congrats, guys! Meanwhile, EastEnders star Diane Parish (who plays Denise) was left baffled after news of her engagement to partner Gerry Zuccarello hit the headlines – two years after he popped the question! Talk about fake news… HOME from HOME Sadly, it may be quite some…

I’ve just finished watching The Pale Horse. I love everything that [writer] Sarah Phelps does. I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan, and I think the way that Sarah has reinvented her work has been superb. I knew what happened in And Then There Were None, but she still managed to make it fresh and interesting. I don’t watch a lot of comedy – it’s like a busman’s holiday! – but I love Friday Night Dinner. That’s a lovely show. I also enjoyed Benidorm: I thought Siobhan Finneran [Janice Garvey] was brilliant. In a show full of big characters, she was like a quiet centre. The two films I always return to are Tootsie and Clue, which is based on the board game Cluedo. It’s very funny. It’s got the wonderful…

Baby’s second birthday often marks the start of a parental nightmare, in the form of the ‘terrible twos’ – and as Ferne McCann returns for a fifth series of her adventures through motherhood, it’s a phase daughter Sunday is already in… “I can’t even seem to peel a banana the right way without Sunday throwing herself across the floor!” chuckles the ex-TOWIE star. “That’s been the biggest challenge this series – that and potty-training. You’ll have to tune in to see if I’m successful with that!” Alongside the challenges, we’re also set to share a few of Ferne’s happier moments, as she meets the man of her dreams. “I have a boyfriend, whoo!” she beams. “It’s very exciting. I definitely think he’s ‘the one’ – but he has a super-professional…

CORRIE Doomed groom? TIM MESSES UP THE WEDDING PREP… After all that unfortunate business with Tim’s other wife (who turned out to be Tim’s actual wife), Sally’s groom-to-be knows he has to pull out all the stops for when they finally legally tie the knot. So when he puts his foot in it over one part of the arrangements next week, it’s a problem that’s going to be very tricky to sort out. Will he let his bride down again? EASTENDERS Strain on Rainie! Stuart and Rainie’s relationship reaches a big moment next week, but will what happens leave them walking on air, or sinking into despair? HOLBY CITY Jac and Kian get it on… NEIGHBOURS Paul betrays Harlow! HOLLYOAKS Will Martine fall for Felix? EMMERDALE Trouble Dawns Dawn’s had…

Hey, Shona! Why is Whitney so convinced she’s going to prison for a long time? Although Whitney knows she killed Leo in self-defence, she can’t help but feel guilty. She did technically kill a man. So she feels maybe she should be punished in some way… What was it like filming the scenes in prison? When I first read the script, I cried. It’s such a huge and brave journey for Whitney to go on. I was excited about the way it was all being filmed, too. It felt like a film – ‘Whitney locked up’ has to be one of the most challenging and exciting things I’ve done while at EastEnders. What did you think about Whitney’s ‘prison look’? The hair and make-up teams were amazing! It’s incredible how…

Ramsay Street’s past looks set to collide with its present, as Neighbours chiefs are preparing new episodes of the soap comprising scenes taken from classic episodes alongside brand-new material that has only recently been filmed. At the time of writing, Neighbours is the only serial drama featured in Inside Soap that’s still filming – the rest have all suspended production due to Covid-19. However, if the Aussie government orders the cast and crew to down tools, a back-up plan is in place to keep the show on air if regular episodes run out… “Our executive producer [Jason Herbison] has written 35 individual episodes of what will become a kind-of flashback series if we can’t keep shooting,” explained Takaya Honda, who plays David, during a YouTube video chat with co-stars April…

You’ll be pleased to hear that Hollyoaks podcast Don’t Filter Feelings is back this week, with Darren’s story taking centre stage! In the episode, Ashley talks to Josh Connolly, a storyline advisor and mental health campaigner, about his own experience with depression… “Josh and I got together to do an interview, and it was great,” grins Ashley. “It was really good to chat about mental health. It was nice to sit there and chat about our own journeys. I had a bit of a tough upbringing, very similar to Josh’s, and it’s nice to be able to finally give back and help others.” Don’t Filter Feelings is available on all podcast platforms.…

Viewers will finally discover the truth about Leah’s whereabouts this week – she’s been kidnapped by an unhinged man called Douglas! Following the post on her website announcing her engagement, Leah’s boyfriend Justin is dismayed to learn that the police are closing the investigation into her sudden disappearance. They insist they’ve spoken to her and she’s fine, but Justin can’t shake the feeling that something terrible has happened to her… Things go from bad to worse for Justin when he receives a call from Leah, making it crystal clear that their relationship is over! But while Justin reels from the news, viewers will see the truth – that Leah is being held captive by Douglas, and is utterly terrified of him! So when Douglas presents Leah with a wedding dress,…

ON THE WALL I recently took a liking to the flowery wallpaper in Chantelle and Gray’s house in EastEnders. Do you know where I can find that print, or something similar? Linda, Suffolk This print is called Magnolia Frieze and is from the Osborne & Little Folium Wallpaper Collection. This design is in aqua and ochre, but you can also get it in charcoal and pink. NEIGHBOURS’ NEW TUNE I recently noticed that there has been another change in the Neighbours theme tune. Can you tell me who is singing it this time around? Lucy The current Neighbours theme at the beginning of the show is sung by their very own actress, Bonnie Anderson, who plays Bea Nilsson. Bea  is known as the show’s resident musician, and Bonnie’s…

“The Holby cast members are all part of a massive WhatsApp group,” reveals Kaye Wragg, as she joins Inside Soap on the phone from home to talk all things Essie. “Normally we go out every couple of months for a big night in town, and obviously we can’t do that at the moment. So we’ve been sending silly videos to each other, while checking in to see if everyone’s all right.” Like the soaps, Holby has suspended filming for the time being – yet the drama on screen remains on full gas, and this week’s episode in particular is a real belter. As the hospital deals with an unexpected crisis that will surely have a ripple effect for months to come, Essie plucks up the courage to reveal all to…

I really do. The thing that connects them is that they’re both grieving – Dotty’s grieving for Dennis right now, and Vinny is grieving the fact that his mum has been lying about having cancer. And neither of them has their dad around. They propel each other to do what they want to do, take risks, be bold, and the world’s their oyster, really. They’re both money-minded! Every week, we put your questions to a star of the soaps. Look out for requests on our Facebook page, or email your questions to youask@insidesoap.co.uk, putting the actor’s name in the subject line. Our favourite question each week will win a £20 prize!…

“Losing my friend Damien was absolutely heartbreaking, even more heartbreaking than losing Gary!” exclaims Colette Mann as we chat to her about her alter ego, Sheila, in the wake of Gary Canning (played by Damien Richardson) meeting a grisly end. “The whole cast were horrified when Damien said he was leaving. But he joked about it up until the very last scene, Damien has a great sense of humour and he’s such a fine actor.” The events of Neighbours’ late-night episodes left us all reeling as Gary was murdered by Finn Kelly. But star Colette knew exactly what was coming for her character’s son – and she even went on location to watch Damien play out his final scenes as Gary and draw a line under their six-year screen partnership.…

WIT AND WISDOM “Bzzz! Bzzz!” Laurel’s arrival in Emmerdale as a ‘singing bee’ telegram... “I’m ever-so assertive on my own. My mirror’s had more than a few tongue-lashings. It winces when I go near!” Laurel “I could get things going – do a striptease while swinging from the chandelier!” Laurel “Who’d have thought it? Little Miss Prim and Proper… battered!” Ross Barton THE KEY RELATIONSHIPS ASHLEY THOMAS Laurel was smitten with Ashley as soon as they met, but he only realised he felt the same when she helped him recover from a car accident. The village was shocked when their marriage broke down a few years later – but love won through. They remarried following Ashley’s dementia diagnosis and spent his final months together. DOUG POTTS Laurel’s busybody dad became…

Glossybox Easter Egg Limited Edition 2020 Available in three different designs, this limited-edition egg is filled with 10 make-up, skincare and haircare products, worth over £70. Lush Cream Egg Bubble Bar Packed with creamy ingredients, this spearmint and cocoa butter bubble bar is a cracking choice for bath time. Ghost Mini Fragrance Easter Egg Indulge in a mini-fragrance egg from Ghost, containing one eau de toilette in six different scents – including Dream, Sweetheart and Eclipse. I Heart Revolution Egg Chick Discover the delights inside this egg-shaped case, with two shimmery highlighters and five eyeshadows in red and amber hues.…

WE’RE BEGINNING TO FORGET what it’s like to go to people’s houses for tea, but we’re pretty sure it was never as chaotic as it is at the Goodmans’. Robert Popper’s take on Jackie and Martin’s weekly tucker with ‘bambinos’ Adam and Jonny – based on his own Jewish upbringing – sees their meal regularly disrupted by odd neighbour Jim (played with a perfect balance of farce and pathos by Mark Heap), among others. Packed with hilarity and heart, its sixth-series opener received huge viewing figures. This week, it’s Martin’s birthday, so Jim pops round to show off the magic ‘tricks’ he’s been practising……

DOUBLE DUTCH ITV has revealed the first glimpse of the new version of Van Der Valk, starring Mark Warren as the Dutch detective, filmed on location in Amsterdam. The series is due to air this spring. DARE DEVILS Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is due to return for a new series imminently, with 12 new faces convinced that they have what it takes to pass SAS selection. Among the wannabes are Hollyoaks’ Nikki Sanderson (Maxine), plus reality TV stars Katie Price and Joey Essex. STAR MAN Casting has been announced for Reggie Yates’ BBC3 drama Make Me Famous, which explores the impact of ‘fast fame’ on reality TV stars. Grantchester’s Tom Brittney leads the cast, while Tilly Keeper (EastEnders’ Louise Mitchell) lands her first role since leaving Albert…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Rosa Cadenas......................... Jacey Sallés Faith Cadogan...................... Kirsty Mitchell Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia.......................... Tony Marshall Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh.......................... William Beck Fenisha Khatri........................ Olivia D’Lima 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 Lavendar Spark...................... Sian Webber Ruby Spark................................ Maddy Hill CORONATION STREET Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin 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 Sarah Barlow........................... Tina O’Brien Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby....................…

BULLSEYE! We’re delighted to say that Dotty’s return to Walford has been an unqualified success. We love the balance she’s striking between a heartfelt new friendship with Vinny and holding Ian to ransom by his short and curlies. As she’s not an out-and-out villain, Dotty’s a far more subtle and believable character than her old dad Nick ever was. As for star Milly Zero – this girl is on fire! David and Gail: In a nutshell. Whatever you feel about bad cop Malone, his criminal instructions are lovely and clear and to the point. As every responsible adult knows, sometimes the best thing to do with a spoiled child is to sit them down for a chat. There’s no tantrum that an ice cream won’t solve. No one bounces back…

Steve’s nightmare situation with Oliver is not helped by their daughter Amy this week, who is the host of the Street’s unruly teenage house party (see p18) – which ends with the police being called! The McDonalds are horrified to return home to find No1 trashed – Tracy’s new lamps among the casualties – and the local rozzers on their doorstep. Amy’s irate mum and dad promptly throw all the party-goers out, and order Amy to clean up the mess. But is the damage caused by his daughter set to have even bigger repercussions for Steve if his ability to parent his children continues to be an issue?…

Hi, Tanisha. What happens to Asha is terrible. Has this ever happened at your school? Yes, it happened to people I knew a few times when I was in secondary school – it was awful. Everybody had seen the pictures, but then when the police came into school, we could see the situation unfolding and how serious it was. No one should ever have to go through that. What advice would you offer teenagers who find themselves in Asha’s position? The thing is that with these apps, people think the image gets deleted a few seconds after it’s sent, but it doesn’t. The person on the receiving end can save anything. My advice is that if you don’t want to worry about getting yourself into a situation like Asha’s, then…

“I know my Walford history, and after every traumatic storyline, Sharon disappears to Florida for a couple of years. My wish is that she stays in Walford this time. Letitia Dean is the star of EastEnders, and it’s just never the same without her!” …hopes reader Luke “With Charity and Chastity both now more about their families, I think the Woolpack should have new management – it’s gone a bit quiet in there. I think what the pub needs is a bit of Jimmy and Nicola madness. She’d be hilarious and hate all her customers!” …says reader Léon “Now that Adam and Sarah are the power couple of Weatherfield, she should bring him in to the factory with her and oust boring Nick. He may be a Barlow by name,…

Claudia puts her plan to get sole care of Aster into action this week, and finds the perfect lawyer! With Elly facing murder charges, Claudia is hoping to discredit the Kennedy family as care-givers for Aster. And when Claudia meets with her lawyer, it turns out she has an interesting history with the Kennedys too… The lawyer in her corner is Samantha Fitzgerald – an ex-Ramsay Street resident – and her previous with the Kennedys began when Sam’s ex-husband Dan fell for their daughter Libby, and married her! Sam also made an enemy of most people in Erinsborough when she put Steph Scully in prison for dangerous driving. Sam’s rich history with the Kennedys makes her the perfect person to dig up dirt on the family. So will Claudia’s plan…

It becomes clear there’s trouble ahead for Imran and Toyah this week, as he voices his concerns about his partner’s renewed passion for activism. Following Toyah’s arrest at the zero-carbon protest, Imran has been panicking that her skirmishes with the law will ruin his business. He’s deeply worried that a respected solicitor can’t be seen to condone illegal antics from their partner, and that Toyah will end up jeopardising his career. Will the eco warrior be willing to give up her cause to protect her comfortable life with Imran?…

Phil Mitchell is proper grumpy this week – yes, even more than usual – as he watches his beloved Sharon return to the arms of his brother, Grant. Apparently, Phil’s sibling has left prison a changed man, and he’s even vowed to stop knocking Sharon about. (Sure, it’s not quite wine and roses, but he has to start somewhere.) Leaping on any distraction from his hurt pride, Phil offers to drive lovelorn Hattie Tavernier to Southampton. She’s in pursuit of her fiancée, Steve, who has decided he’s not quite ready to settle down – which he demonstrates by sneaking out of their bed in the middle of the night to take a job as a chef on a cruise liner. Hattie, love, read the signs: he’s just not that into…