Table of contents for 53 - 2020 in Inside Soap UK

Epilepsy is a relatively common neurological condition – there are around 600,000 people in the UK living with a diagnosis – which is characterised by seizures caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain. Liv’s next step is finding a treatment that works best for her. It’s common to prescribe anti-epileptic drugs, which aim to stop or reduce the number of seizures by changing the levels of trigger chemicals in the brain. Patients will start on a low dose and raise it gradually, until finding a balance that works. While many people with epilepsy enjoy a full and active life, management of risk is a key factor – Liv will have to be careful not to put herself in a position where she could come to harm if she suffered…

Michael demands a paternity test from his pregnant ex Grace this week, and discovers he is indeed going to be a dad! After finding out that Tianna wasn’t his child, Michael did his best to avoid Grace and tried to draw a line under the whole sorry business. So when his former love told him that she’d fallen pregnant during their time together, his first instinct was to believe that it was yet another cruel trick… “Michael is determined not to be played for a fool again, which is why he asks for a paternity test,” explains our Corrie spy. “Grace appears to be genuinely remorseful for leading Michael and his family to believe that Tianna was their flesh and blood. For her, it was a lie that spun out…

The residents of Weatherfield mount a last-ditch protest to save their homes this week, after scheming Ray’s development finally gets the green light! “Kevin disowns Debbie – she’s his own flesh and blood!” Locals including Kevin, Abi, Roy and Sally are horrified as they tune in to watch a council planning meeting via live video link, and witness the committee voting in Ray’s favour. Worse still, when they return home, they all find letters attached to the front doors, instructing them that they have two weeks to leave their houses before they’re raised to the ground! Have they lost the fight? “Kevin knows he needs to put a stop to this; nobody likes change, and the residents of Coronation Street are no exception,” reveals Michael Le Vell, who plays the…

You might think that Coronation Street is currently facing the greatest-ever threat to its existence, in the form of rotten Ray and his plan to turn everything west of the Kabin into the staff car park for the Four Seasons Weatherfield. However, while we tremble at the sight of bulldozers rolling up Rosamund Street, it’s nothing compared to the horror that gripped the nation back in the summer of ’97, when the Battersbys moved into No 5 – a development seen as no less than the end of civilisation as we know it. The Battersbys were aimed like an Exocet missile by new producer Brian Park, right at the cozy core of the Street. Press and public alike rose up in disgust at this ‘pikey’ tribe, and what they said…

DEAD UNLUCKY… I wouldn’t be surprised if Harriet in Emmerdale has a breakdown soon. She thought she and Dawn had got away with hiding Malone’s body, and then Jean turns up and ruins the entire plan! What are the chances they picked the grave of someone about to be exhumed? Jamie, Bath THREE’S A CROWD! I’m finding the whole situation with Todd, Billy and Paul in Corrie very strange. Billy always seems suspicious of Todd, yet he’s never clearly told him to leave him alone! And Billy’s sticking with Paul when, let’s face it, they’re really not suited. Wouldn’t it be a great New Year twist if Todd and Paul got together instead? Andy, Merseyside It’s going to be interesting to see how this relationship pans out – will Todd…

Upon accepting her Damehood from the Queen in 2016, Barbara Windsor joked that it was lovely to meet ‘another small lady’. But like Her Majesty, Barbara was in fact a giant; excelling in what she did, and capturing the hearts of the British public like few before her – whether it be in the Carry On films of the 1960s, TV light entertainment in the 70s and 80s, or the role she’ll forever be remembered for: EastEnders’ Peggy Mitchell. Born Barbara Ann Deeks in the East End of London in August 1937, Barbara was singing and dancing from an early age. “Barbara is a show-off who loves to perform,” commented her ballet mistress – and perform she did. By 13, she was working professionally, and a year later was starring…

Casualty finally returns to our screens this week, having been off air since September. And just like sister show Holby City, the medical drama will kick off its latest series with a special Covid episode, exploring how the staff of the ED has been coping with the pandemic. We caught up with Amanda Mealing, aka boss Connie, to find out how her character has fared during these challenging times… First things first, Amanda – how does it feel to be back on set filming new episodes? It’s so nice. Everyone was grateful for a break, although not for the reason for the break – but after a while we were all champing at the bit to get back. It’s odd being back in this strange new world, but at least…

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He’s one half of the most adorable couple in Erinsborough, and now Ramsay Street star Takaya Honda (David) is a hubby in real life too! The actor wed his girlfriend of five years, Amy Beth, in a gorgeous ceremony in Australia’s Byron Bay, two months after they had to postpone their original plans because of Covid. The couple were meant to get hitched in September – on the fifth anniversary of their very first date – but were sadly forced to put their big day on hold due to Melbourne being in a strict lockdown at that point in time. Thankfully, it was worth the wait. And as you can see from these pictures, Takaya and Amy’s big day turned out to be every bit as magical as they had…

“There’s no general knowledge required for this show – all you need to know are words, and everybody knows words!” declares Lingo host Adil Ray, as his new quiz show descends on weekday afternoons. “The first round involves three pairs of contestants guessing a four-letter word – or, as we call it, the four-letter Lingo – with only the first letter of that word provided,” adds Adil. “It’s a five-letter Lingo the next round, and six in the final one, after which it’s whittled down to one pair to play for the big money.” “It’s against the clock, and very exciting – even the crew was playing along in the studio, so I defy you not to join in at home!” As an actor, presenter and creator of sitcom Citizen…

Teenager Simon is left terrified this week, when he arrives home to find his mum Leanne unconscious on the sofa, with a bottle of sleeping pills next to her! It’s a truly shocking scene, and poor Simon fears that his grieving mum has taken an overdose. But as he calls an ambulance, can he get his mum help before it’s too late? “Simon truly believes his mum has taken an overdose…” “It’s no secret that Leanne has been in a really dark place following the death of her young son Oliver,” our Weatherfield insider reminds us. “Her loved ones believe she’s been in France with her mother Stella for the past few weeks, when in reality, Leanne’s been holed up in her flat alone, mourning her loss. It’s not beyond…

Mercedes stares into the eyes of serial killer Silas this week – but will he finally claim his ultimate prize and rid the world of the McQueen madam? “Mercedes knows that Silas wants her dead!” Silas has been tormenting Mercedes and her family, threatening them via a sinister doll, and making their lives hell. But while the rest of the McQueens have paid the price, Mercedes is the one who Silas really wants. So, is the murderer about to bump off his next victim? “The moment Mercedes comes face to face with Silas is really chilling,” shivers Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays her. “She’s suspected for a while that Silas is the one who’s been stalking them, as she knows he hates her and wants her dead. So when she finds…

Evelyn struggles with her feelings for Arthur this week, and has a big decision to make when he asks her to move away to Canada with him! Prior to the shock offer, Evelyn is determined to get over Arthur and move on. So, when she sees him approach with a bunch of flowers, she’s quick to tell him to stop the romantic gestures. However, it seems that Evelyn has got the wrong end of the stick… “Evelyn assumes that the flowers are for her, but Arthur is actually taking them to his wife’s funeral!” reveals our Weatherfield sneak. “It’s George who ends up telling Evelyn that she’s misread the situation, and today is Beryl’s memorial. Evelyn couldn’t feel more guilty – she’s been busily brooding over her own problems and…

The Holby team looks forward to ringing in the new year this week – although for poor Sacha, his daughter Beka might not live to see 2021! After Beka turned up on the ward and took a stand against her father’s hasty new relationship with Jodie, his fiancée sought to take Beka out of the picture for good, and poisoned her! However, when Beka collapses in agony this week, Sacha – who is still struggling with his grief after losing Essie – goes into denial, and refuses to believe that Beka could be seriously ill. Meanwhile, Hanssen recommends that Beka undergoes emergency surgery. Will she be okay? And will the cause of her illness be discovered in time to prevent dangerous Jodie from striking again, and ruining Sacha’s life?…

The Dingles are actually lost for words this week. It’s one of the most rare events in nature; like Halley’s comet passing by, or Eric Pollard getting a round in. The reason? Well, after Zak’s ceiling caves in, he goes quite literally cap-in-hand to Lady Tara – who owns their midden of a house – to ask for compensation. Instead, the Dingles are left stunned when she offers them alternative accommodation: Home Farm itself! Chris is obviously thrilled when Mandy and the rest immediately start pricing-up his knick-knacks. Later, Zak’s week becomes even more complicated as he opens the boot of a classic car that Lisa wants to sell, only to discover a human skeleton. Zak fears it may prove off-putting to a potential new owner to find a passenger…

Believe it or not, there was once another Peggy Mitchell. Character actress Jo Warne played the hard-faced Mitchell mum for ten episodes in 1991. But when EastEnders’ bosses decided to bring the character of Phil and Grant’s mum back to the show full-time, they still wanted that toughness, yet with an added vulnerability which would be vital if the character was to be part of the show for the long term. Enter Barbara Windsor. At the time, Barbara was touring in her one-woman show. “I was getting too old to go schlepping all over the country kicking my legs in the air,” she admitted. The 57-year-old actress had been left with debts after her second marriage collapsed, so EastEnders was a godsend – but Barbara was equally a godsend to…

From the moment we saw serial killer Silas’ reflection in the window of the Love Boat, and realised that he was the McQueens’ mystery stalker, we knew we were in for a dramatic ride! The murderer and Mercedes have been playing a game of cat and mouse that’s lasted for almost 10 years, and every time the two face off, there’s bound to be explosive action. As we chat to Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe – who celebrates her 15th year of playing Mercedes in 2021 – she tells us that she was delighted to hear that Silas was back… “Mercedes thinks that every guy is her soulmate!” “Jeff Rawle [who plays Silas] is always fantastic to work with,” she grins. “He brings such an old-school sense of drama and energy…

Wicked Suki has reached soap icon status in record time due to her villainous behaviour – but will Balvinder melt under the scrutiny of your questions? “Even though she’s a baddie, people seem to really love Suki – why do you think that is?” “How do you get on with your screen kids?” When people tell me that they like Suki, I always wonder why! She’s manipulative, she’s controlling, she gives her children tough love to the point of strangulation, and she rules with an iron fist! Can you actually like a person who is like that? I even question it myself, because I enjoy playing her. I guess we all like someone who’s fearless, has an edge, or something quite dark about them – we’re naturally curious. “How well…

Based on an idea by crime writer Val McDermid and penned by former Coronation Street star Amelia Bullmore (Steph Barnes), this new six-part series follows Emma Hedges, a lab technician set to start a new job in her Dundee hometown. When Emma – played by Molly Windsor – is encouraged to take a forensic science course led by her new colleagues, chemistry professor Sarah Gordon (Laura Fraser) and forensic anthropology professor Kathy Torrence (Jennifer Spence), she’s horrified to discover that her studies are based on the unsolved murder case of her own mother Marie – taking Emma on a traumatic quest for the truth… “Emma was very young when her mum died, and never had an opportunity to process it,” explains Molly. “At the time, she was led by the…

DVD PINOCCHIO Pinocchio is the tale of elderly woodcarver Geppetto, who creates a wooden puppet which magically comes to life. Geppetto brings the doll up as his son. However, Pinocchio finds it hard to be good and is easily led astray – so it’s up to his loyal friend the Blue Fairy to help him see that his dream to become a real boy is only possible if he changes his ways… DVD BABYTEETH When seriously ill teenager Milla falls in love with free spirit Moses, it’s her parents’ worst nightmare. But as Milla’s first brush with love brings her a new lust for life, traditional morals go out of the window, and Milla shows all those in her orbit – her parents, a music teacher, a budding child violinist,…

Prior to finding Leanne in such a terrible state, Simon is actually having quite a good week – as he has a big date to look forward to! When he bumps into school pal Kelly – who is hysterical, and trying to break into Gary’s shop – Simon manages to calm her down and stop her from doing anything stupid. As the pair chat, and bond over the trouble they’ve both had with their parents, it’s clear they have a lot in common, and they arrange to meet up later for a date. Simon’s pretty pumped up about taking out Kelly, but after the drama with Leanne unfolds, he completely forgets about the arrangement – and stands up Kelly! Will she forgive him?…

Liv suffers another seizure this week, leaving Aaron, her family and her friends deeply concerned. But there’s some comfort when doctors finally put a name to her condition with an official diagnosis of epilepsy. After months of seizures and not knowing the cause, Liv is relieved to finally know what’s wrong. But while she’s prepared to deal with it as best she can, and move on with her life, Aaron is understandably beside himself with worry. “Aaron and Liv couldn’t have more opposing reactions to the news,” explains our Dales sneak. “Liv knows that she’s going to have epilepsy forever, and now it’s just a matter of managing it. She’s prepared to own it and move forward. However, Aaron sees it as a life sentence, and he’s very worried about…

Callum’s world looks set to come crashing down around him this week, as his colleague Jack gets ready to reveal the truth about his dodgy dealings with DI Thompson! Having discovered that Thompson had been using rookie rozzer Callum to spy on the Mitchells, and compile evidence that could put Phil away for a number of years, Jack feels he has no choice but to report their questionable actions to his superiors. And as he breaks the bad news to Callum that the game is up, the copper realises he’s about to lose everything… “If the truth were to come out now, it would surely mean the end of Ben and Callum’s relationship,” whispers our Walford spy. “Everything that Callum’s done has been driven by his desire to keep Ben…

There’s embarrassment in Erinsborough this week, when Clive and Jane wake up in bed together following a drunken night of passion! The horrified look on Jane’s face says it all, as she realises she’s crossed the line with one of her oldest friends. So how did this shock hook-up happen? “It’s such a surprise – who’d have thought it?” chuckles Geoff Paine, who plays Clive. “There are some Christmas celebrations going on, and I think it’s the eggnog, to be honest. One thing leads to another… and another! “There’s a lovely ‘morning after’ scene that carries on throughout the episode,” he adds. “They’re both ashamed and hungover, and neither of them has a strong memory of what’s happened. They try to be calm about the whole thing, but they’re really…

It’s a nightmare week for the Connors, when Johnny suffers an MS relapse just before his sentencing hearing. Jenny is worried sick as her husband’s health declines, even causing his eyesight to start failing. But while Johnny pushes her away, Jenny fights to get the judge to grant a delay so he can recover before the judgement is passed. Sadly, her efforts fail, and it’s left to Imran to plead Johnny’s case and ask the judge to show leniency. Will Johnny’s remorse and good character move the judge, or is he facing a long stretch inside?…

Amber is frantic with worry this week, as she realises that Dean has run away with their son Jai! After finding Jai home alone, Dean instructed the lad to pack a bag, and the pair fled town. However, now Amber has no idea where they have gone, so she’s considering calling the police to officially report her son missing! Meanwhile, Dean is hiding at an old River Boy hang-out with his son, and calls Ziggy to tell her that he’s leaving town for good! Can Ziggy persuade him to bring Jai home safely?…

You never forget your first true love, so they say, and that’s certainly true for Pat Butcher. Just when she thought she’d finally moved on from Frank – the teenage sweetheart of our former Miss Butlin’s, Clactonon-Sea, let’s not forget – up he popped again at Christmas. To say Pat’s feelings about this development were mixed would be an understatement. It was like finding the shilling in the Christmas pudding by choking to death on it. But here he is again, the man of all her dreams, working his way back under her skin. And this week, Pat and Frank grow ever closer, while her new squeeze Roy is left to stand, erm, impotently by. Meanwhile, Phil has his beady little eyes on every move Frank makes, worried that the…

1994 With the breakdown of Grant and Sharon’s marriage, the way was clear for Peggy to take the helm of the Queen Vic. And it was soon as if she’d been there forever… 1996 Peggy made enemies in the Square when she began a campaign over Mark Fowler, who had been diagnosed as HIV positive. However, Peggy saw the error of her ways when she later discovered that she had cancer. 1999 Peggy had the most joyous wedding to Frank Butcher – but bagging Pat’s ex set up a rivalry that would cause ructions for years to come. 1999 Peggy discovered her cancer had returned. She had a mastectomy, but she panicked that Frank wouldn’t find her attractive anymore. 2000 Having found Frank’s farewell letter to her, Peggy exposed his…

Given how many times he’s loved and lost, you’d think Marlon would be steering clear of women for life. But the big-hearted chef just can’t give up on the idea of a happy ever after – and it looks as if he might have found it in an unexpected place. It turns out that Rhona, the mother of his son Leo, has started remembering why she fell for him all those years ago, and wants more than just friendship. But in true Marlon style, there’s a comedy of errors as he tries to work out precisely what Rhona means when she asks him to ‘stay over in my bedroom’. Mark Charnock, who plays the hapless chef, tells us more about this renewed romance as he joins us for a chat……

I love going for really long walks; being out and about in nature. I also love spending time with my nieces: just having conversations with them and connecting with family is so important. They’re very grounding and supportive. They’ve got a dog called Stanley, who’s a Jackapoo – a Jack Russell crossed with a poodle. I didn’t think I was much of a dog person, but he’s beautiful! 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!…