Table of contents for 25 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“Lovely Rocky might not be so lovely after all…!” It’s been nice to see a bit of lightness in our soaps recently, something I think we all needed. Dev and Bernie’s romance in Corrie has brightened up my evenings, and the return of Evelyn a few weeks back means we have a nice bit of acid-tongue served up in the corner shop again. EastEnders has a little extra bounce thanks to the addition of Brian Conley as Rocky – you just watch him and think, ‘Why haven’t you been in this for the last 20 years?!’ And Emmerdale’s Leyla-Liam-Bernice love triangle may be a bit silly, but Samantha Giles is clearly relishing playing Bernice at her most bonkers! However, you can’t hold back the drama, as you’ll discover in this issue…

Terrified Leanne faces an awful choice this week, as her day in court arrives and she has to decide whether to give into bad guy Harvey’s demands, and lie on the stand to protect her family… With her court appearance on the horizon, Leanne psychs herself up to give evidence against drug boss Harvey. However, when a gunshot rings out on the cobbles, she’s left more spooked than ever over Nick and little Sam’s safety – will Leanne decide she can’t take the risk of telling the truth? “Leanne is terrified and trying to do her best,” explains Jane Danson, who plays her. “She doesn’t know if telling the truth or lying is the best thing. Leanne makes her mind up one day, and then changes it the next. I…

Romeo quits his job at the Dog so he can focus more on Cher, and he and Mercedes talk about their brief romance. But what Romeo and Mercy don’t realise is that Goldie is in the room! Goldie confronts Mercedes over the affair, and threatens to tell Sylver. However, as Mercedes discovers she’s not pregnant, Goldie is left with a dilemma about whether or not to tell Sylver about the fling. But Bethannie tells us that when Cher finds out, she’ll be distraught… “Cher thinks Romeo’s amazing, and she can’t believe he actually likes her,” she says. “So when it comes out, she’ll have lost the person she loves the most to her stepmum, who Cher’s extremely jealous of. “Cher will probably feel as if she’ll never be good enough,”…

One of four characters is set to meet a watery grave in Home and Away, when the body of a Summer Bay resident washes up onshore! Initially, Leah, Justin, Mackenzie and Susie were all in the frame to meet their demise in an upcoming episode that’ll send shock waves crashing through the community. But further evidence from a sneaky trailer appears to narrow down the list of victims – and confirm that the deceased is a woman. The plot will hit UK screens in July, so grab your lifebelt and brace yourselves for a wild ride!…

“There’s plenty of fellas whose hearts I’ve ripped to shreds. Three days at Glastonbury, I’d have five fellas crying over me. ‘Bernie, don’t go!’ ‘Bernie, I’ve fallen for you!’ ‘Bernie, you’re so bendy!’” Three days, five fellas – and a week to get the mud out of every crevice. “What’s this? My man’s up doing laundry? Now I’m worried. You’re not washing some tart’s lipstick off the collar, I hope?” Ruby appears to think she lives in 1957. “We’ve got too used to thinking this is normal. You balling me out. Me being a constant disappointment. Other people aren’t like this!” On the contrary, we think Jimmy and Nicola’s is the most realistic marriage on telly! “When Gary left, I bought an Action Man from a jumble sale.” “And tortured…

It’s not just Bobby who makes a big confession this week – Iqra also reveals a shocking truth to her girlfriend, Mila! It was Iqra who called the police and reported Mila’s mum, Nyangi, for subjecting her daughter to FGM, resulting in her arrest. But while Kathy took the blame for the sake of the girls’ romance, Iqra realises the time has come to confess… “Mila is still furious at Kathy for reporting her mother to the cops,” reveals our Walford spy. “Although she wanted to do everything she could to stop her mum subjecting her sister Kioni to the same ordeal she went through, Mila didn’t want her mum locked up. She can’t believe Kathy betrayed her.” Iqra feels guilty seeing Mila taking out her anger on Kathy. And…

Nikau is left with a lot of explaining to do this week, after Bella spots him kissing Allegra on his modelling shoot! When Sienna sets up a last-minute photo shoot at the Surf Club, Nikau is thrown in at the deep end. At the shoot, Bella tries to help Nikau feel more comfortable, but Sienna shoos Bella away on a coffee run, then instructs Nika to get closer with his model partner, Allegra. With Nikau out of earshot, scheming Sienna makes a plan for Allegra to kiss Nikau right on her cue, so that when Bella comes back with the drinks, she catches Nikau and Allegra locking lips! Ryder and Chloe watch on in shock as poor Bella is left completely overwhelmed and flees. Nikau sees Bella running and chases…

Theresa and Goldie beg James for his help this week, as they attempt to get Sally and John Paul out of prison. When the McQueen cousins go to James for his advice, he’s not sure what he can do. However, after John Paul’s son, Matthew-Jesus, pulls on James’ heartstrings, he goes to DS Cohen to request a favour. Later, when Theresa goes to see James, he tells her there’s nothing more they can do but wait for the trial. Has the family finally run out of options?…

There’s a baby bombshell for Bianca this week, when, after witnessing the same breakfast twice in one morning, she visits the doctor to be told she’s pregnant. Our mum-to-be is not exactly thrilled – she doesn’t want to be “chained down” like Carol – and is in no rush to tell Ricky; which lends an atmosphere to their trip to visit Diane in France. Joining them in Paris are Phil and Kathy, and after some tricksy antics from Lorna, Phil feels obliged to confess his affair. Appalled Kathy responds by throwing her wedding ring in the river. “I would have to be in Seine to stay with you!” she somehow manages not to say.…

It’s so sad to hear the axe will fall on the award-winning Holby City. I have watched it from the beginning back in 1999. It will be a big loss to the BBC. At least we have until next March to mourn the show – I for one hope that it will go out on a high! Kevin, Staffordshire I was so shocked and saddened to hear that Holby City is being cancelled. The show has been a huge part of weekly drama for years, and has had a wonderful cast with some really memorable plots. Very few soaps manage to tug at the heartstrings in the same way, with hard-hitting storylines such as the death of Arthur Digby and the death of Jasmine to name just two. What am…

It’s clear that Ali is really enjoying playing out these fun scenes with new screen love interest Sam Retford, who plays Curtis. And Sam tells us that landing this role in Coronation Street was a dream come true for him… “I just fell into acting because I was a bit too loud at school,” he reveals. “I didn’t realise you could be involved with acting and earn a wage, then I appeared in a Hollyoaks spin-off [Tom’s Life] – I didn’t believe acting was a real job back then! I’ve not been doing it for that long, so I’m taking every day as it comes. “Corrie’s just a wicked new experience – every single day is different,” adds Sam. “On my first day, I came in with a prerequisite based…

There’s a dangerous new romance brewing on the Square this week, as Chelsea flirts up a storm with lawyer Gray in order to secure his legal expertise! It’s after the police come knocking at her door, and Chelsea is charged with possession of stolen goods, that she goes in search of Gray’s services – yet while he quickly realises that she’s using him to get what she wants, there’s also a spark of attraction between the two. On paper, Gray seems a great catch – handsome, successful, loaded – and Chelsea reckons she’s on her way to bagging herself a real gem. But little does she realise that the lawyer is also a killer with a mounting body count… “Obviously Chelsea has no clue what Gray is really like!” exclaims…

MICK & SHIRLEY EASTENDERS Mick grew up believing that Shirley was his sister – so was stunned to find out that she was in fact his mother! CARLA & JOHNNY CORRIE Carla thought that she was only a Connor by marriage, through late hubby Paul. So imagine her shock when she found out that Johnny – who was the second cousin of her father-in-law Barry – was actually her biological dad… CAIN & ZAK EMMERDALE Cain had always known Zak as his uncle –brother to the man he believed to be his dad, Shadrach. But it turned out his mum Faith had indulged in a fling with Zak, who was actually Cain’s real father! JACOB & LEYLA EMMERDALE After Jacob moved to Emmerdale with mum Alicia, he found out a…

It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to bring you pictures of soap stars at a showbiz awards ceremony – so we were delighted to see these snaps of our favourite small-screen actors dressed in all their finery for the BAFTA TV Awards! Despite the fact that in-person attendees at the ceremony were few and far between, ex-EastEnders star Jessica Plummer – aka Chantelle – wowed in a stunning silver dress, while her former screen hubby Toby-Alexander Smith (Gray) looked dashing in his white suit. And although the nominees from Corrie and Hollyoaks weren’t able to attend the ceremony in London due to restrictions, they still got in on the action by hosting their own on-set BAFTA parties, complete with fancy outfits and red carpets! The biggest party…

If you haven’t seen The Handmaid’s Tale before, fear not! The first three series are available on All4 now. Meanwhile, here are the essential facts… The show is based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, set in the wake of a second American civil war. In this nightmarish world ruled by the totalitarian government of Gilead, fertility rates have collapsed. So, fertile women – called ‘Handmaids’ – are sold into child-bearing slavery. June Osborne (later Offred) was captured while attempting to flee to Canada with husband Luke and daughter Hannah, and made a Handmaid to Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes). June finally made it to Canada – but will she ever be reunited with Hannah?…

BULLSEYE! Maureen Lipman is so perfectly Coronation Street, that’s no great secret. But let it be said: Evelyn’s conversation with Fiz in last Friday’s episode – where she spoke very knowingly of a ‘friend’ who had once also been in Fiz’s situation – was at the very heart and soul of what the Street does best. We love that Tyrone is Evelyn’s grandson, yet she’s sticking by Fiz. Sisters before misters! For the love of Peter Barlow – salvation at last! After Oliver and Seb, we’re not sure our fragile hearts could have taken yet another tragic Corrie goodbye. We hope the appropriate Covid-bubble was formed ahead of soap’s latest on-screen kiss. And with tongues, no less! The Devil in an Alice band… Hope Stape is soap’s Most Convincing Badass.…

Hi Jane, what a year it’s been for Leanne! Will her nightmare with Harvey end this week? I’m curious to see what will happen, as it seems a little unfinished. I feel, due to Covid, that maybe we haven’t got into it like we could have done. I don’t know – but in soap, anything can happen! We hear the old Leanne is going to come back a bit. Is that exciting for you? Yes, I’ve always fought for that and to bring that hardness to her. You read on social media that people’s views are split on Leanne – they either love her or hate her. I completely understand that. Leanne might not have made the right decisions at the time, and she’s had quite a year! But I…

Part of the reason that Kheerat’s betrayal stings Ben so much is because he already suspects that his husband Callum has been sneaking around behind his back! Having previously spotted Callum and Whit having a secret meeting this week, Ben confronts his husband’s ex and demands to know what’s going on between them. However, Whitney tells Ben to speak to his hubby, so he finds Callum and insists he’s told what’s going on! Viewers are aware that Callum’s been keeping shtum about a horrifying incident he witnessed, in which his colleague Fitzy was stabbed. So will he tell Ben and let him know he needs his support? Whatever happens, Ben’s later seen tipsy and upset, and fails to return home to his other half that night. Is Ballum’s marriage over…

Here is your first look at the new face who will be shaking up Albert Square! Popular actor Ross Boatman – best known for his roles in London’s Burning as firefighter Kevin Medhurst, and Derek in sitcom Mum – has signed up to play Harvey Monroe, who’ll turn out to be the fiercely protective dad of Bobby’s new girlfriend Dana. “Some actors long for all the glamour of the Hollywood hills, others dream about the bright lights of London’s West End – all I ever wanted was jellied eels, Albert Square and a cheeky pint at the Vic,” grins Ross. “Words can hardly express how happy and excited I am to be here at last.” Just like any parent, Harvey will do anything to keep his daughter safe. So, how…

Max on stage! Former EastEnder Jake Wood (aka Max) is teaming up with Lily Allen for a new theatre show. The duo will star in 2:22 – A Ghost Story at London’s Noel Coward Theatre for 11 weeks from 3 August. RIP, Sir Ben Roberts – best known for playing Chief Inspector Derek Conway in The Bill – has sadly passed away, aged 70. Ben starred on the popular police drama from 1987 to 2002. New tricks! Neighbours star Tim Kano has dropped fresh hints on his character Leo’s return to Ramsay Street. “It’s a really good storyline that I haven’t seen done before,” grins the actor. “I just couldn’t say no!”…

Jacob and Leanna have a heated discussion following their split this week – and as Gabby is drawn into their tiff, things quickly get out of hand! Gabby becomes entangled in the ex-lovers’ business, after she embellishes the facts about Liam and Bernice in order to attack Liam’s daughter Leanna. It’s then that Jacob learns about Leanna’s crush on Billy, which prompts him to confront the older village lad… “Billy innocently walks into the shop, and Jacob can’t contain his anger considering everything he went through not that long ago with his abuser, Maya,” reveals our Emmerdale insider. “Jacob knows exactly what it’s like to be taken advantage of by someone older, and wants to speak up for Leanna. That’s when furious Jacob lets rip at Billy, and makes out…

With Summer’s diagnosis, Corrie is shining a light on diabetes and living with the condition. Diabetes is where your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, leaving you with high levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Insulin allows glucose in the blood to enter cells and provide you with fuel. Without it, the glucose in your body can’t get into your cells, so instead builds up in your bloodstream. Over time, high blood sugar levels can harm your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart, and if untreated, the changes to your blood can lead to coma and even death. There are two different types of diabetes: Type 1 is where people can’t produce insulin at all. The condition can’t be cured or reversed, so needs to be treated by replacing the missing…

It’s a difficult week for Laurel and Jai, as they mark what would have been their baby’s due date. The grieving couple are faced with the heartbreak of their decision to end Laurel’s pregnancy after their unborn child was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. Although they believe they made the right choice for them, there’s much hurt to contend with as they talk over their loss. Fortunately, they have each other to lean on as they navigate this challenging time……

Toyah is furious this week, when Only 16 magazine refuses to publish her article, and so does the perfectly normal thing of phoning the publishers with a bomb threat. (Please don’t try this at home, kids – our alarm makes a really horrible noise.) After the police come calling and Les throws a strop, Toyah packs a rucksack and heads to London in search of her birth father – forgetting that nothing good in Corrie ever comes of visiting ‘that London’. Meanwhile, Curly is horrified to meet Anne Malone again, then devastated to learn that she’s his new boss! With Anne the very definition of “a woman scorned”, Curly feels certain that she’s plotting revenge. As well he might. Where better than Firman’s Freezers for a dish best served cold?…

COLOUR BOMB Nancy in Hollyoaks has recently been wearing a very brightly coloured and swishy skirt – where can I get one from? Lin, London Nancy’s midi-skirt is from Warehouse, but is sadly sold out. However, they do have a dress with the same print in stock! So, head to Warehouse’s website for a look at their ‘Colourblock Pleated Midi Shirt Dress’! LET’S THINK ABOUT IT In Emmerdale, Jimmy recently recalled the King River Showhome explosion and mentioned that three people – including Bob’s daughter, Dawn – died. But who were the other two? James The explosion happened 15 years ago, so even we had to remind ourselves of the other fatalities. The first was poor Noreen Bell, a pensioner friend of Val Lambert played by Jenny Tomasin. The other…

“When our producer Jane [Hudson] told us where this story was going, I literally had goosebumps all over my body,” reveals Emmerdale star Amy Walsh, aka Tracy Metcalfe, as she recalls the moment that she and co-star Jurell Carter (Nate Robinson) were pitched the idea about her character’s postnatal depression. “I’d been waiting for something that was mine, that I could really take ownership of – and to do something that really makes a difference. “As soon as I heard about it, I knew it was an important story to tell, as it hasn’t been done enough in soap,” she adds. “I felt really privileged that they felt I could take it on.” It’s been obvious ever since Tracy gave birth to daughter Frankie that all is not right, and…

It’s been three years since Pat Phelan’s reign of terror came to a heart-stopping end on Coronation Street, yet we still remember his wicked deeds as if they happened yesterday. However, for actor Connor McIntyre – who played Eileen’s serial killer husband – the idea that Pat would become one of the most-talked about characters in Weatherfield history was not originally in the script… “The role of Phelan went beyond my expectations,” explains the star, as he joins Inside Soap for a catch-up. “I was only signed for three episodes initially, and if I’d have known at the beginning that we were going to create this villain, it would have been quite daunting! I couldn’t have asked for more, though. I got the scripts each time and just thought, ‘Wow…

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Princess Diana was adored the world over; her inspirational yet heart-breaking legacy never to be forgotten. Ahead of what would’ve been Diana’s 60th birthday – 1 July – this feature-length documentary uses previously unheard testimony alongside rare archive to mark the most iconic milestones of her life… “There’s something magical about Princess Diana,” states the film’s exec producer, David Glover. “Her 60th birthday is the perfect time to re-examine her life, and explore how she went from a relatively unknown teenager to the most mourned person who ever lived.” “THERE’S SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT PRINCESS DIANA” DAVID Fans young and old took the princess (then 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer) to their hearts from the moment her romance with Prince Charles became public. Their wedding, on 29 July 1981, had 750 million…

EASTENDERS Birthday news! WILL MICK AND LINDA DECIDE THERE’S SOMETHING WORTH CELEBRATING? It’s Linda’s birthday next week, and things finally seem to be on the up for the Carters. With Mick’s nightmare at the hands of Katy finally behind him, he and Linda are looking to the future rather than the past. So, will they decide it’s time for a big celebration? Or might they consider something low-key to be more appropriate? Well, a knock at the door from the postman could just change their plans… CORRIE Platt’s strife! ith all the stress  W surrouding Nick and Leanne in recent weeks, the residents of No 8 have felt the pressure. But for one of them next week, it all finally becomes too much… EMMERDALE Save their blushes? ndrea and Charles’…

There are shock waves in court this week, when Sharon turns on her own nephew Harvey with damning evidence! Having done his bidding for months, Sharon tries to flee after taking a beating from his henchmen, but ends up in court anyway. Harvey is incensed when his aunt gives the judge chapter and verse about his crimes, almost certainly condemning him to a long stretch inside. Rita’s bursting with pride as she welcomes Sharon home and tells Jenny that she did the right thing. However, Jenny’s not convinced that her arch-rival is a reformed character. “Sharon has played some despicable games since she returned, and she put many innocent people in danger,” shares our Weatherfield insider. “The idea that she’s on the right path now is laughable to Jenny. She…

Tyrone receives some confronting news this week, when he gets word that his abusive ex-wife Kirsty has died. “The news of Kirsty’s death hits Tyrone hard…” It’s after a police officer arrives at his door that Tyrone is delivered the shocking information, which leaves him extremely shaken. And now he faces the grim task of breaking the news to daughter Ruby that her birth mother has passed away… “Kirsty may have been a violent bully towards Tyrone, but she was still Ruby’s mum,” points out our Coronation Street insider. “And while Tyrone regrets having ever laid eyes on Kirsty, he could never regret having his beautiful little girl in his life. The news of Kirsty’s death hits him hard, as he knows what a huge impact it will have on…

Meena plots to get rid of Jacob this week, after realising that the teenager is ruining her new-found happiness with David… As Jacob goes home feeling down following his break-up with Leanna, David starts to worry. So when Meena comes up with a life-changing idea, David quickly shoots her down… “Meena suggests to David that they move in together!” exclaims our village insider. “But David’s completely knocked for six, mostly because he’s preoccupied with Jacob having just returned home and is also in the midst of a break-up with Leanna. However, when David explains this to Meena, it only fuels her hatred for Jacob.” After seeing how upset Jacob is, David tells Meena that he wants to spend some time alone with Jacob to make sure he’s coping. David tells…

FAIR CITY Dolores decides to testify for Will this week – however, on the morning of the trial, Mairead is unable to make contact with Cristiano! Meanwhile, Alex warns Juliet against getting herself a second sugar daddy. And Orla suspects foul play at the garage. RIVER CITY Cameron prepares to get revenge on Eve this week, but when Dylan arrives, he ends up on the receiving end of his brother’s anger instead. Elsewhere, Caitlin tries to move on now the murder trial is over. Plus, Paul uncovers the truth about Rory… THE ARCHERS Shula finds herself in a difficult situation this week, when Alice arrives at the stables with a potentially dangerous request… Meanwhile, Adam struggles under the weight of his secret, so will he confess? Finally, Eddie’s limo proves…

We’ve known many vets in Emmerdale over the years, and by and large they’ve been a credit to the profession. Not that we see them do much animal doctoring, of course – that requires the expensive hiring-in of sheep and rabbits and shepherds and lettuce. Instead, the creatures great and small that occupy the lives of our vets tend to be their families, rivals, or their vast herds of lovers. And sometimes, yes, one of these poor beasts needs to be put down… It’s in this area that Chris Tate’s kidnapper Liam Hammond makes a grave error of judgment this week, after Zoe finally tracks down her brother. You see, Liam hasn’t reckoned on: 1) Our supervet’s experience with guns; and 2) Her cool head when it comes to matters…

If there’s one person in soapland who deserves to find the man of her dreams, it’s Weatherfield’s Emma. She’s had her heart broken more times than we care to mention, yet she still pursues romance as though her life depends on it, and firmly believes that the next man she meets will be ‘the one’. That’s why we have such high hopes for her fledgling romance with handsome trainee doctor Curtis. So far, the newcomer seems to be the perfect match for her; sweet, funny, and as smitten with her as she is with him. So might Emma be about to finally get her happy ever after? “Bless her, she’s given it a good go, hasn’t she?” muses Corrie star Alexandra Mardell, who plays Emma, as she joins us over…

Amy and co-star Roxy love to say namaste… As looking after our mental health is more important than ever, Amy and costar Roxy Shahidi (Leyla) have been conducting yoga classes live from the Emmerdale set! “I’d never done yoga until I met Roxy, but it has been really good for me,” explains Amy. “The effect has been amazing, especially in lockdown. Those days were hard, and doing the live classes really boosted my morale. “I can’t wait to get back to doing sessions in our lunch breaks at work like we used to!”…

Ever since Sami’s errant cousin Shaq arrived in Hollyoaks village, he’s caused nothing but trouble for the Maalik clan! His mountain of debts spiralled so far out of control that Misbah was forced to sign over the family home to dodgy Fergus in order to raise some cash – yet despite all the strife Shaq has brought with him, Misbah has been determined to support her nephew in any way she can. This week, Shaq is about to stir up even more drama for his relatives, as he tries to prove that Misbah’s late husband, Kashif, is his biological father… “It’s a lot of wishful thinking from Shaq’s point of view,” explains Omar Malik, who plays him. “This guy is a dreamer, he’s an outcast, so if he identifies any…

Connor will join The Wonderbirds Live on 28 June, as the hit Facebook Live chat show transfers to the stage at the West End’s Duchess Theatre. The event – hosted by former EastEnder Debbie Arnold and ex-Corrie star Sherrie Hewson, alongside actresses Harriet Thorpe and Dee Anderson – promises to be a fun evening of chat and entertainment with special guests. To win one of two pairs of tickets, just answer this question: Who killed Phelan? A) Eileen Grimshaw, B) Anna Windass or C) Michelle Connor. Send your answer to competitions@ insidesoap.co.uk. See p94 for terms and conditions.…

We’ve had to wait a little longer than usual between seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale. Pleasingly, however, as season four begins this week, the show picks up directly from where it left off. Injured and on the run, June (played by Elisabeth Moss) and her fellow fugitives manage to find refuge at a farm, where she is nursed back to health. Can June strike back against Gilead as a rebel leader? Or will she be consumed completely by her quest for revenge? “WE’LL SEE A LOT OF CHARACTERS CHANGE DRAMATICALLY…” The Handmaid’s Tale has already been recommissioned for a fifth season, but star Elisabeth assures us that audiences are in for some satisfying pay-offs this series… “I do feel that we have built something over the past three seasons that,…