Table of contents for 23 - 2020 in Inside Soap UK

“Some things are worth waiting for!” One of the interesting side effects to the cutting down of the number of soap episodes is that it means some plots have really had time to ferment. Yasmeen and Geoff’s story in Corrie, for example, has benefited from the slower pace and the plot not moving on too quickly. It already feels as though Yasmeen has been behind bars forever, making our hatred of Geoff all the more intense. It also means that the soaps aren’t quite so signposted in terms of what happens next. I’d forgotten about Whitney’s simpering look at Gray a few weeks back in EastEnders. So this week, it seems more realistic that her desires have been bubbling away for a while, leading to her making her move, rather…

What was your initial reaction when you first heard about this storyline, Adam? It was a massive mixture of fear, pride and excitement. Then when we went into lockdown, I did question whether now was the right time to put out a storyline like this. However, I actually think that now is the perfect time. The mental health side effects are going to carry on for much longer than the pandemic. Did you have to do a lot of research for this plot? I’ve been a mental health campaigner for 23 years, so it’s something I am very up on. I wanted to be as involved as I could, so I had lots of meetings with the writers and researchers. We didn’t need to over-dramatise the story, because it resonates…

As Leanne reels (see p26) from the suggestion that her son Oliver has mitochondrial disease – an illness with no known cure – speculation is rife that his heartbroken mum might choose to depart the Street… “I was worried which direction it might go,” says actress Jane Danson, who plays her. “Obviously I know the endgame, and this will change Leanne as a character. Hopefully that will mean I can take her in a different direction, and I can continue [on the show]. But who knows? “I wouldn’t say that I’m worried about getting the sack,” she continues, “as I think when you’re in a soap there’s always that fear hanging over you. It’s never guaranteed as a job for life, and you can always become a casualty of a…

DOT & PAULINE These two were good pals, but had some big quarrels over the years. Our favourite involved the sabotage of a vanilla buttercream strawberry cake, as Dot furiously declared their friendship finished! NICK & KATHY When Nick discovered Kathy had a secret daughter, Donna, he threatened to tell her hubby Pete, unless she paid him hush money. Kathy told Pete herself, and Pete gave the blackmailer a beating! MARK & NICK When Mark found out Nick was supplying teen brother Martin with drugs, he spiked Nick’s drink and lured him to a bridge. Nick fell and was severely injured, but his efforts to get Mark arrested failed. NICK & IAN Ian’s business was left in ruins when Nick blew up the café after taking some of the locals…

“Come on, EastEnders, you know there’s only one possible new owner of the Vic. The Carters sell to a mysterious ‘ Christine’, who outbids the Mitchells. They turn around in shock to hear a familiar voice… ‘Hello, Sharon. Bet you never thought you’d see me again’.” …says reader Jodie from Telford “The Bailey family has been brilliant this week, but now they need to emerge from the pre-loaded storylines they arrived with and start making proper connections with the locals. Aggie should be great mates with Eileen by now.” …insists reader Lorna “With the Morgans in Home and Away facing a huge gap in their lives as they mourn Mason, I would love to see Dempsey return to the Bay to help fill that void with his child. We never…

If there is one person in Weatherfield whom we’d always want fighting on our side, it’s the ever-reliable, indestructible Sally Metcalfe. In her 34 years on the cobbles, our Sal has overcome cheating partners, illness and prison – to name but a few life-altering dramas – making her one of the perfect candidates to stand up to Geoff in the battle to save poor Yasmeen (see p4). Corrie’s coercive control story is the big soap plot that has everyone talking at the moment, and “is the right story to have come along at the right time,” stresses actress Sally Dynevor – who is thrilled that her character Sally is now so involved… Hello, Sally! Have you been surprised by how big the reaction has been to Geoff and Yasmeen’s story?…

With Samson stuck on his school trip, and Vinny and Mandy turfed out, the episode sees Sam and Lydia on their own during lockdown. But with Sam acting oddly and unhappy about Lydia leaving the house, it’s clear something is on his mind. Soon, his over-protectiveness leads to a row, and the two go to bed on bad terms. Yet the truth over Sam’s worries soon comes to light... “We see a bit of jovial stuff between Sam and Lydia, and then an emotional and serious side,” says James Hooton, who plays Sam. “Sam’s concerns come to a head. It’s a journey for both of them...”…

1 Roxy was born on 12 March 1983 in Manchester, to her Iranian father Bahman and English mother Linda. Her parents had a rather glamorous first meeting – in the city’s Playboy Club, where Linda worked as a bunny girl! 2 Roxy started acting – on stage in plays such as East Is East and Rafta, Rafta – using her full name Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi, but later decided to shorten it. “People found it hard to pronounce, or read,” she said. “I couldn’t spell it until I was about 10!” 3 Roxy has been vegan for 16 years. “I became vegetarian when I was eight,” she explains. “It was the first time that I realised the meat I was eating used to be alive and fluffy. Then I started reading into…

Congratulations are in order for Corrie favourite Sam Aston (Chesney) and his wife Briony, who have announced that they are expecting a baby! The delighted couple shared their news with OK! magazine recently, with Sam revealing that he and Briony are “so happy” to be welcoming a baby to their family. The childhood sweethearts celebrated their first wedding anniversary last month, after tying the knot in a romantic ceremony in Cheshire. The new arrival will join the two pooches Sam and Briony already count as part of their clan – although they’re still a long way off emulating Sam’s screen family. After working with quads on Corrie, Sam should find having a baby a breeze!…

Many of us have been using this time at home to have a good old clear-out – and EastEnders’ Shona McGarty, aka Whitney, has uncovered some real gems while going through her old family photos! As well as baby snaps, and pics of her with sister Camilla, Shona also shared this adorable photo of her all dressed up for her first Holy Communion. Doesn’t she look lovely? But young Shona looked less enthused as she posed for a pic back when she was in primary school. Perhaps she was just practising her serious acting face!…

As we reach the finale of The A Word, we chat with star Pooky Quesnel, who plays Louise, to find out which TV shows she loves to relax to… What’s been your favourite drama that you’ve watched recently? Normal People: OMG! A heart-stoppingly tender account of coming-of-age love, with beautiful, courageous sex scenes that aren’t salacious for a second. I’ve found it totally absorbing and transporting, with brilliant acting and direction. It’s outstanding television. And what about comedy-wise? Derry Girls makes me howl. It reminds me of being in a convent school and getting into trouble for nothing, then tying myself in knots trying to get out of it – and invariably failing. It’s painfully funny to watch… and a bit like therapy for ex-Catholics! What were your favourite shows…

CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF The line-up has been announced for the 15th series, coming to the BBC this summer. The cooks will include Judy Murray OBE, Drag Race favourite Baga Chipz, and TV hosts Gethin Jones and Dom Littlewood. PERRY MASON The hot new private-eye drama will premiere on Sky Atlantic on 22 June, following the cases of Erle Stanley Gardner’s brilliant defence lawyer – made famous on TV by Raymond Burr in the 60s (and revived in the 80s). This prequel will follow a younger Perry, played by Matthew Rhys, working as a gumshoe in 1932 LA, very much in the mode of Hollywood classics such as The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep. JACK WHITEHALL’S FATHER’S DAY Jack will team up with his now equally famous dad, Michael, for a…

CORRIE Lads’ night out! As life without Sinead becomes the new normal for Daniel, the widower is beginning to feel a bit isolated next week. So, his nephew Adam decides to bring Daniel out of himself by inviting him along to a glamorous do in town. But is Daniel truly ready for a night on the tiles? And will what he finds among the champagne and canapes leave him deflated rather than elated? EASTENDERS Last orders? Mick and Linda seemed set on leaving the Vic, but will recent events lead someone else to have a change of heart that could scupper their plans for the pub? EMMERDALE Jimmy riddle! Nicola and Jimmy’s marriage consists of bitter fall-outs and passionate make-ups. But as that falls flat in lockdown, can Jimmy work…

Broken Yasmeen turns a major corner this week, as she slowly begins to accept that she is a victim of abuse – and pleads ‘not guilty’ to attacking Geoff when she appears in court. Meanwhile, Sally remains convinced that Geoff’s story doesn’t add up, and orders him out of the home she shares with his son, Tim. Will the defiance displayed by both women prove crucial to unravelling Geoff’s wicked lies? “The more invested Sally becomes with this story, the more she wants to help Yasmeen,” explains actress Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally. “Lots of alarm bells have been ringing, but in particular there is a scene where Geoff loses his temper with Sally, and that’s when she sees another side to him for herself. In that moment, she decides…

As if Ramsay Street’s Paul Robinson doesn’t have enough children to worry about, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, who plays him, has been joined on set by his real-life teenage son, Declan – who has signed up to play a new bad boy, Louis! “I’m obviously very proud that Declan has chosen to, not so much follow in my footsteps, but to make his mark in the world of showbiz,” grins Stefan, who’s played Paul since 1985. “Contrary to what people may think, he did this on his own – apart from the ‘dad being his taxi driver’ bit! I’m very proud and happy to pass on some wisdom from my years in the biz. “The great thing about Declan working on the show is we learn our lines together at…

Amateur sleuth Adam goes rogue this week, as he uses his masculine charms to get to the truth about Gary. And, determined to pump Rick Neelan’s ex-wife Laura for information, he plays dirty to get the goods… “It’s shocking behaviour from a newly married man, but there’s no doubt that Adam’s charm is his most effective weapon,” reckons our Corrie spy. “He’s sure that Rick’s daughter Kelly and her mum are the key to unravelling Gary’s web of lies. Adam is hell-bent on proving he was right about Gary’s dodgy antics.” Meanwhile, Gary is busy trying to get rid of his problem. He tracks down Laura to Rochdale and makes her an offer that she can’t refuse to take Kelly back, hoping to get the youngster away from the Street.…

“I’ve been chased by a pack of hungry wolves out there, right on my heels.” “You should come power-walking with me and your gran. Fresh air, plenty of exercise!” David could have said he was being chased by a T-Rex, and Gail still wouldn’t have paid a blind bit of notice. “What could possibly be more important than trying to get inside the mind of a woman?” What indeed? He’ll go far, that boy. “I’ve missed you. I told you, it’s always you… in the end.” Nothing screams devoted love like the words “in the end”. “26 bones in a human foot? That’s amazing, isn’t it?” “Or 29, if you have a hexadactyly – an extra toe. It’s not as uncommon as you might think, especially in these parts.” Is…

Kim finds herself a virtual prisoner this week, having accepted Frank’s offer of a cool million in exchange for playing the loyal wife. However, far from returning to the lap of luxury at Home Farm, Kim is shown to a spartan attic room where she will be cared for by the strict Nurse Bell – who is clearly less healthcare professional than prison warder. All this throws Dave into ‘white knight’ mode, as he batters down the door to rescue his princess. But he’s in for a shock when she tells him to use the money she gave him and leave the village! Meanwhile, there’s hi-jinks as England rugby league player Martin Offiah somehow ends up playing for the local team. Only in Emmerdale!…

SHARON’S CHOICE… Sharon has returned to Walford with a huge decision to make! Who will she choose – Phil or Kayden? Then there’s the idea of her returning to her old home, the Queen Vic… I, for one, will be overjoyed if and when Phil and Sharon finally return to the Vic! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll miss Mick and Linda being there, but this is good for my nostalgia for the old days. Simon, Colchester It’ll never work between Sharon and Phil if she doesn’t take her son back. Eventually Sharon will come to resent Phil for being the reason she left Kayden – Sharon is first and foremost a mum, and she needs to realise that before she loses her baby forever. Jean, Coventry Now that Sharon’s returned,…

Sal’s girls Rosie and Sophie have left the cobbles to follow their dreams, while in real life stars Helen Flanagan and Brooke Vincent, who play the characters respectively, took a break to have children of their own. Helen has two daughters Matilda, four, and Delilah, two – while first-time mum Brooke welcomed her son Mexx last year. Fortunately, Sally managed to catch up with them all before the UK went into lockdown. “There was a point where Brooke came over with Mexx, and Helen came over with her two little girls, and we had lunch together,” grins the 57-year-old, who has three kids with scriptwriter husband Tim. “I said to them, ‘I can’t believe you’re in my house with your children, when I’ve known you since you were babies!’ “Every…

“Gray’s not the type of guy who would cheat on his wife,” declares EastEnders star Toby-Alexander Smith, who plays the abusive husband. “He loves Chantelle – he’s worked hard to create this life, with the car, the job, the house, the family, and I don’t think he’d do anything to sabotage that. In his mind, he has this perfect relationship. He’s madly in love with Chantelle, which is very ironic.” Gray’s fidelity is set to be put to the test this week, when Whitney makes a move on him (see p10). It’s a tempting prospect, especially as Gray suspects his wife could be playing away with her boss, Kheerat. But Toby insists that his character’s focus right now is to keep the rest of the world from cottoning on to…

FAMILY FURY Jamie arrived in Walford after his dad’s death, taken in by relative Phil when it transpired Jamie’s Uncle Billy was beating him. Billy’s violent demeanour evaporated after Jamie finally turned on him. HEARTBREAK Sonia was Jamie’s first true love – despite her giving birth to Martin’s daughter a few months into their relationship. Jamie proposed, but then slept with Zoe, prompting him and Sonia to split. TRAGIC END After Phil attacked Jamie, his nemesis Steve paid the lad to smash the Queen Vic windows in revenge – and it was then that Martin mowed him down outside the tube station… Jack’s Secret Summer – a magical adventure story of Jack and his boisterous neighbours Bruno and Rocco – is on sale now.…

Finding the motivation to exercise can be tough right now, but these soap stars are making it fun! EastEnder Balvinder Sopal (Suki) is embracing the great outdoors to practise yoga in her garden, while Corrie’s Samia Longchambon (Maria) and hubby Sylvain are having the time of their lives recreating the lifts from iconic movie Dirty Dancing. And after sharing his energetic workouts, Walford’s Davood Ghadami (Kush) cooled off on his homemade waterslide. Now that’s our kind of exercise, Davood!…

1 Herbal Essences Bee Strong Shampoo/ Conditioner for Weak Hair Restore weak hair’s protective outer layer with irresistible honey essences. 2 Neal’s Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream This bee-friendly moisturiser gives 3% of sales to charities that help protect the humble insect. 3 Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm Help nourish dry lips with a touch of golden honey and vitamin E, infused with a delicious honey flavour. 4 nspa Fruit Extracts Honey Jelly Scrub Packed with honey goodness, vitamins and passionfruit seeds for extra exfoliation, this scrub will invigorate your senses.…

When an upcoming West End show is suddenly brought to a halt, the cast must keep rehearsing from their own front rooms. But little acting is required, as Michael Sheen and David Tennant reveal… Hi, David and Michael! Tell us all about the show… Michael It’s about two young, plucky, upcoming actors. We play ourselves, David and me – we’re the best casting for it! David Michael and David are trying to keep on with their rehearsals for a play, which is being directed by Simon – who’s a bit like theatre director Simon Evans – after they’ve been locked in their houses due to a global pandemic. Michael So Simon suggests that they can rehearse using video calls… David And they’re locked in with their respective partners, Georgia and…

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 CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan...................... Zennon Ditchett Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Izzy Armstrong............... Cherylee Houston 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...................…

BULLSEYE! Watching Jean try to seduce Phil – by rocking up unannounced in his living room, dripping in sequins and swigging Chardonnay – sent our heart rate through the freakin’ roof. A real heart-in-mouth, head-in-hands, jaw-hits-the-floor moment – from Gillian Wright’s fearless pitch to Steve McFadden’s perfectly timed bewildered reactions. It was terrifying, spellbinding and heartbreaking to watch. Sarah’s married the fittest bloke in Weatherfield, yet she’s still glued to her mum’s kitchen table as if nothing’s changed. If Adam was ours, the honeymoon period would look like something out of Misery by now. Belle recalling her affair with Jermaine Bailey wins the award for Plot So Icky We’d Totally Blocked It From Our Memory. Yep, Kayden is the spit of Ph… sorry, Keanu. Yeah, sure. No, Monty… Tell us…

Soap sinners don’t come much worse than Geoff, with the whole country revolted by his actions. And for Ian Bartholomew, who plays him, he has had to come to terms with his screen persona’s evil deeds… “I am aware of how much Geoff is hated,” he says. “I console myself by remembering it’s not me they hate, it’s Geoff! Happily, I can say I’ve not been ‘hand-bagged’ yet, or shouted at in the street! It’s been tough, but what’s kept us going is the responsibility we have to shine a light on the crime of coercive control.”…

• Before the cast began any part of the production process, they had an online meeting with a medical advisor. The expert discussed the virus with them and how it spreads, and how people can protect themselves – as well as giving actors the chance to voice any concerns about returning to work. • While an on-set rehearsal was crucial to ensure the cast and crew could stay far enough apart during filming, time on set was kept to a strict minimum, with actors carrying out their acting rehearsals online. • The episodes were filmed with a skeleton crew, and one of the most important he truth about pieces of equipment Mandy’s was painful a past two-metre emerges bamboo this stick week, – used as to she quickly confi check…

There are some heart-wrenching scenes in Hollyoaks this week, as Kyle decides to end his life by suicide. Having battled with depression for many years, Kyle has recently suffered a crippling relapse, which has seen him turn to drugs as a coping mechanism. But as the pain of living with his situation becomes too much for him to bear, Kyle decides the only way out is to say goodbye once and for all… “When people die by suicide, it’s not as the result of one big, dramatic event, it’s a build-up of everything,” shares actor Adam Rickitt, who plays Kyle. “Kyle gets to the point where he thinks this is the sum total of his life now, to wake up every day and be miserable. “He’s spent the past few…

Ready to roll! Lights and cameras are also back in action for the stars of Home and Away! Actress Emily Symons looked chuffed to be back in the make-up chair, as a masked artist transformed her into Marylin again. Ghost story Corrie’s Bev Callard (Liz) swears that the spirit of her late friend Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, visits the show’s studio. “I’d been doing quite a lot of filming on the Barlows’ set, and it’s a weird feeling,” she explains. RIP Ted Actor Tony Scannell – best known for playing DS Ted Roache in The Bill – has passed away aged 74. The CID cop was at the heart of the drama in the 80s and 90s, before making his last appearance in 2000. Soap swap! Former Summer…

DOG DAYCARE I spied the lovely prints in the Emmerdale vets this week, and as an animal lover myself, I was wondering if you had an idea of where I could get these from, Alice? Lilly, Salford The prints are from Minalima.com – a few are sold out, but ‘A Kennel Of Dogs’ is still available. While you’re on the website, have a browse at their other brilliant animal designs! WALFORD’S LANDLADY With Sharon and Phil about to buy the Vic in EastEnders, I was wondering how many times Sharon has owned the Walford pub? Lauren Sharon has owned the Vic three times! The first time, she co-owned it with Grant and Phil. When Grant and Sharon married, Phil sold his share to them – but Sharon sold up after her…

“These episodes feel like a piece of TV history!” Life has changed dramatically since the Dales’ Karen Blick last slipped into Lydia Dingle’s comfortable cardies. But this week, as filming resumes on Emmerdale after a two-month break, we’ll catch up with Lydia and Sam in the show’s first special lockdown episode. It’s been a labour of love for cast and crew to make this new instalment since the TV industry shut up shop temporarily. So, we had a chat with Karen to discover what it was like to be the star of this unique soap moment… Hi Karen, how did it feel to kick off the special lockdown episodes? And how are Sam and Lydia getting on? I was delighted and thrilled to be part of it. The script is…

“I really like to film in my flat. It was called the Morgans’ flat, but now I think it’s Darren and Mandy’s place. It’s a nice space, and you’re close to everything on set so it’s pretty handy.” “I love working with Ashley, but I also love working with people who I don’t often get the chance to, like Ellis [Hollins, aka Tom] – he’s brilliant. Considering our characters are related, we don’t get to work together much.” “I’m going way back, but when I first joined the show, it was a huge deal and the big, iconic characters were Jambo and Kurt! They were the original group and some of my favourites.” “One storyline that sticks in my mind was with Lauren McQueen [aka Lily], and the huge storm…

“ Jess Plummer [Chantelle] and I spend so much time together, and we’ve grown very close. We hang around on set a lot, and always have our lunch breaks together.” “The kids who play Mac and Mia [ Isaac Lemonius and Mahalia Malcolm] are brilliant. They’re so patient – it’s difficult for kids that age to keep focussed, but they are so good.” “I’d like to see some Gray and Ben scenes. They’re such contrasting characters, but they’re both hotheaded, so it’d be interesting if they were to come across each other.” “My dressing room is next to Scott Maslen’s [aka Jack]. Sometimes I’ll hear him playing music, and he’s giving me a full Frank Sinatra show! He has so much energy.” “ Tony Clay, who plays Callum, is a…

It’s not just Peter and chums who hope to cheer us up. Michael McIntyre is also back on Saturday nights, with a series of ‘best bits’… “I’ve tried to pick the funniest and most feelgood parts from five series of the Big Show for fans to enjoy again,” he tells us. “There are some of the best surprises on the public, like Garyoke and Kylieoke, when we secretly filmed people in karaoke bars, then shocked them by duetting the footage with the real Gary Barlow and Kylie Minogue!” Plus, who can forget Midnight Gameshow – particularly the time Robert Rinder was pranked? “He genuinely hated the whole thing, which made for hilarious television!” chuckles Michael. “Seeing Judge Rinder presiding over Sooty in the dock at the end of his bed…