Table of contents for 46 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“It’s nice to see someone enjoying their work” When you’re choosing pictures for an Inside Soap front cover, the rules are simple… Is the character receiving good news? (‘Joy for Gary!’) Use a happy face. Are they contemplating their next murder? (‘Gary strikes again!’) Then you need your grumpiest scowl – as murder is very serious business, especially for the victim. Or does someone have a sexy secret? (‘Lust for Gary!’) In which case, you want them to look pouty and puzzled – like they either need the toilet or are trying to remember if they fed the cat this morning. So, it is a measure of the wild success of Emmerdale’s Meena that all those rules go out of the window. Viewers – this one included – seem to…

Hi Jessie! Did you always know that Chloe had a secret connection to Kerry? I was told quite early on that my story would be linked to Kerry’s comeback, but not the finer details, so it was a cool surprise to read the script. I’m so happy I can finally talk about working with Laura Norton [who plays Kerry]. She’s an absolute star and so talented. I feel very lucky to watch and learn from her. Do you think Chloe will fit in at the Dingle homestead, if she and Noah get serious? I think it’d come as quite a shock to go from her big glam house to the Dingle home, but she’d take it in her stride. If Chloe was finally living her own life, I think everything…

Walford returnee Rob Kazinsky has explained how he struck a deal with bosses to pop back to EastEnders whenever he likes! Jaws hit the floor when his alter ego Sean paid mum Jean and sister Stacey a visit, and not for the last time… “I sent them an email saying: I’m in London, let’s do a scene,” explains LA-based Rob. “Better than that, each time I’m in the country, let’s do it again!” Meanwhile, Inside Soap can confirm that Alexander Lincoln has officially left the role of Jamie Tate in Emmerdale. The star made a surprise cameo as Jamie won his daughter Millie from Kim after faking his own death, yet there are no plans for the actor to return. Shame!…

After their barney in the street, Amy has surely risen to the top of Meena’s murder list. We don’t fancy her chances. What if Meena decides that ‘love is forever’ where her new hero Billy is concerned? Killing him would surely prevent Billy from leaving her like David did… Ben has a video of Meena trying to drown Victoria. If and when they both realise, she may take action. Run, Ben! Aaron sees Ben’s footage while looking for something to watch on telly, and Meena kills him. Now, that would be a shocker!…

Kelly may feel that she’s all alone right now, but Millie tells us that the feedback she’s been getting from Corrie viewers recently suggests that many of them are on her side… “At first everyone hated Kelly,” she admits. “But now we’ve seen the other side and what actually happened, some people do feel the way she was treated in court was harsh. It’s a hard judgement to call, is she villain or victim? I think she’s both. People are starting to see her vulnerability, and I think some of them are warming to her. “Kelly might not show it much externally, but inside, this has really changed her,” adds Millie. “I think she’s got a form of PTSD since the attack, which triggers when she gets certain reminders. She’s…

Rob and Karen continue to fight for their marriage this week, but can they save it? As Rob visits his counsellor, Charita, his main priority is getting himself back to work – so he goes big on telling her about all the things he claims he’s doing in order to feel better. However, when Charita questions him about his relationship with Karen, Rob’s forced to admit that things aren’t going all that well in the bedroom department… When Charita suggests a change in his medication might help, Rob is reluctant to hinder the progress he’s been making with his recovery, so insists he’ll stick with his current prescription. Meanwhile, Karen confides in her friend Maggie about the lack of spark in her marriage – although when Maggie responds by boldly…

FAIR CITY Cristiano offers his support to Bronagh his week, and she decides to reveal her pregnancy to the baby’s father. Meanwhile, Lucy makes it her mission to protect Dolores from Cleo. And Erica worries about the trouble Teri is going to cause! RIVER CITY Caitlin refuses to forgive and forget this week, spurring Ellie on to think about herself and her dream of being a mother… Elsewhere, Rebecca gate-crashes Angus’ date and declares her love for him! Plus, Bob is jealous when he spots Roisin flirting with Sonny. THE ARCHERS There’s tension at Willow Farm when Kirsty drops a shocking bombshell this week, but how will Roy react to her decision? Meanwhile, Eddie and Clarrie prepare for their vow renewal. Finally, the new boy at Bridge Farm gets his…

MEET STACEY’S WIFE! It was a shock to everyone when EastEnders’ Stacey declared she was married. But even more of a surprise when fiery Eve arrived – though it’s safe to say our readers love her already… The arrival of Eve was very dynamic as she hit not only Martin, but Zack as well. Jean’s face was classic, and for once Shirley was lost for words, too. I think Eve is certainly a force to be reckoned with, and has already brightened up Albert Square. Sylvia, Hampshire I already love Eve! That was one of the best entrances I’ve seen in a long time. I think she is going to be a joy to watch and I’m thrilled to see Heather Peace back on our screens! Tess, St Leonard’s on…

“There was a question on The Chase the other day about which soap has had the most divorces, and it was Emmerdale!” gasps Dales actress Natalie Ann Jamieson, as we quiz her about whether she thinks her character, Amy, could have a solid future with boyfriend Matty. “So you do have to worry about these things, don’t you? But I guess if they never get married then they can’t get divorced…” With murderous Meena on the loose in the village, we’d say divorce is the last thing the locals have to worry about right now! Amy finds herself on the killer’s radar this week following a heated confrontation (see p14), then ends up almost getting mowed down by a car thanks to her mum Kerry’s dodgy antics! But it’s all…

As Ashley’s babysitter Casey made her move in Corrie, actress Zoe Henry – now better known as Emmerdale’s Rhona – knew getting between a popular couple like Ashley and Claire might upset viewers. But with a hubby like Emmerdale rogue Jeff Hordley (aka Cain), she was well prepared. “I watched a master at work for six years, so I’ll be all right,” she said. “The problem is, women love a bad boy, but not a bad girl. I may be hated – but that’s okay with me!” Emmerdale’s Kelly Windsor was pregnant with fiancé Jimmy’s baby – just as her modelling career was taking off. While Kelly’s secret abortion saw her jilted on her wedding day, Jimmy’s baby dream came true in the end. In a credulity-stretching bit of storytelling,…

NEIGHBOURS’ DIPI It’s World Kindness Day on 13 Nov. Like Sharon, remind yourself and those around you to spread a little kindness… BEAUTY BOX Be kind by treating yourself (or others!) to a moment of wellbeing… Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Relaxation Set Set yourself an aromatic space with products such as Wellness Sleep Mist and Wellness De-Stress Bath Salts. Neom Organics Calm Vibes Gift Set Soak, nourish and de-stress with this luxury scented travel candle and calming hand balm. Lush All the Best Gift Set Treat yourself to a little me-time with goodies such as Dream Cream body lotion or Rub Rub Rub shower scrub. The Body Shop Kindness & Pears Essentials Gift Serve up a sweet surprise to someone who needs a bit of kindness with this pampering pear care…

As our time with actress and author Carol at her olive farm in Provence comes to an end this week, she leaves us with a few of the TV shows she considers ‘très bon’… Which drama has been a favourite most recently? I watched a series on Netflix called Marseille with Gérard Depardieu, which is absolutely brilliant. And if it hasn’t come to the UK yet, it’s a story worth looking out for. It’s really wonderful. Is there any comedy you’re a particular fan of? Growing up, I loved the old silent movies with stars like Buster Keaton. I watched After Life by Ricky Gervais. Penelope Wilton is in it, and I was at drama school with her – she’s a wonderful actress. What about television you enjoyed as a…

AS COCKNEY AS ALFIE East End girl Kat loves a bit of Cockney and, like ex-husband Alfie, Phil’s the real deal. Both grew up on the streets of east London and are proud of their heritage. And while Phil’s ‘twinkle’ isn’t as obvious as Alfie’s, our Kat can make him smile… AS DANGEROUS AS DEREK Kat’s always been attracted to bad boys – just like dodgy Derek. His wide boy antics didn’t faze her, and she loved the thrill of secretly dating a wrong’un. In Phil, she’s found a similar model – but with far more charm. AS GANGSTER AS ANDY The charisma and wealth of gangland kingpins can turn plenty of heads, which explains why Kat found herself engaged to Andy. Phil is…

It’s been confirmed that Sarah Jayne Dunn is leaving Hollyoaks. The actress, who has played Mandy on and off for 25 years, recently announced her decision to pose for sexy pictures on the social media platform OnlyFans. However, the news didn’t go down well with the bosses. “We take our responsibility to our young audience very seriously and therefore the show does not allow cast members to be active on certain 18+ websites,” says an official spokesperson. “We had hoped we could reach a resolution with Sarah that would allow her to remain in the role as Mandy, but we respect her choice to continue producing content.”…

Romance is on the cards for Jean this week, when she’s rescued from a tricky situation by an unlikely knight in shining armour. Jean’s thrown into a tizzy when she accidentally breaks Kat’s prized new possession – a ceramic leopard to display at the cab office. Kat’s been banging on about the ornament for ages, so when Jean knocks it over, she knows she’s in trouble! Fortunately for Jean, Harvey rushes to help, setting off fireworks between them… “It’s been a while since Jean’s had a rush of attraction for someone,” our Walford sneak reminds us. “But here’s this nice man who is being super helpful and seems to be interested. They are having a really nice chat, until his son bowls up and interrupts them. But now the spark…

The fragile domestic truce at number 32 is shattered this week, after Nicolette discovers that someone has been spying on her via a hidden camera! When she finds the device in Isla’s teddy bear, Nicolette’s first reaction is to confront David and Aaron, convinced that they’ve planted it to keep tabs on her. However, the boys are just as horrified as she is, and it’s clear they had no knowledge of the camera being there either. So who planted it – and why are they spying on Isla and her parents?…

Becky’s baby son Henry is taken ill this week – yet the terrified mum refuses to take him to hospital to be treated! Given her mistrust of the medical profession, Becky is adamant that taking Henry to hospital will make his condition worse. So when Diane and Tony join forces to get her to see reason, Becky locks herself away… Realising that she needs to take action fast, Diane tells Becky that she’s going to call social services! Will Becky come to her senses?…

ALL IN FLORAL A little while ago, Nancy from Hollyokas wore a floral top. Do you know where it’s from? Danielle Unfortunately we couldn’t find the exact shirt. But the Warehouse ‘High Neck Blouse in Floral’ is a very close match and currently in the sale too. If not, check out the ‘Fascinating Florals Blouse’ from Joe Browns! WALFORD REWIND… In Holby City, I recognised Wendy – whose son Sammy was in the ED – from another show and it’s really bugging me. Who is she? Robert, Reading Good spot! Wendy was played by Alison Pargeter, who appeared as Sarah Cairns in EastEnders back in 2004. She played a barmaid at Angie’s Den who ended up stalking Martin after they had a one night stand. Sarah believed Martin was…

“Being a Cotton is a real responsibility, but it’s also an honour,” grins EastEnders star Milly Zero, aka Dotty, as we quiz her about carrying on the legacy of one of the most legendary clans in Walford history. “Dot and Nick were such iconic characters in an iconic show, so to be a part of it is super cool. “I’ve been here for two years, and I still think, ‘Wow, I’m playing June Brown’s granddaughter! Who would have thought that’d happen?’,” she adds. “But I feel a responsibility to work hard, and make Dotty a great character who carries on her family’s legacy.” Since June’s retirement, Milly has been adrift, the only Cotton in town. Which is why she was thrilled to find out that she would be joined by…

“What if, for some reason, Amy ended up running the Woolpack?” ponders Natalie, when we probe her for her dream storyline for her character. “It would be all down to Kerry! She’d do something, but she’d land on her feet this time and end up getting the pub – then something would go wrong, and Amy would have to step in to run it. “I’ve worked in a few bars over the years, so I love pulling a pint,” she adds. “It would be fantastic to see Amy and Matty running the Woolpack together, I think it would be a wicked place to work!”…

We’ve often been promised that a new character, on their arrival, will “rock the Square/Street/village to its very foundations”. But the reality is – more often than not – the most-hyped new arrivals fail to cause even the gentlest tremor. However, when Ronnie and Roxy thundered into Walford, it turned out the hype was justified. Of course, the pair had the added value of being part of a much-loved family, with the casting of well-known actress Samantha Janus as one half of the duo. But no one could have guessed the journey we were in for with Veronica and Roxanne Mitchell. “It’s great, as at first we are all wild and wacky and make this big impact on the Square,” said Samantha of their arrival. “But it’s a slow burn…

Baby makes three JOY FOR THE DALES’ DANNY… Emmerdale’s Danny Miller (Aaron) has become a father for the first time, with fiancée Steph Jones. The couple shared a cute picture of them holding their little one’s hand, with a cheery greeting of “Hello world!”. “I was lucky enough to find someone who shines bright enough to lead me out of the dark,” wrote Danny, in a moving tribute to his partner. “But I never imagined to be led to the brightest place imaginable, my baby. Thank you for completing my life.” “Thank you, Danny, for showing me true happiness,” replied Steph, “and being the best support imaginable.” The couple got engaged in January in St Lucia, and announced their pregnancy in May – which meant a change to…

Culinary couple John Torode and Lisa Faulkner are back for a new series of their no-pressure cooking show, with more simple recipes to get us all set for the season… “I make mincemeat in November, so it’ll be Christmas puddings,” shares Lisa. “And John makes amazing stuffing!” But it’s not just Crimbo cooking in store: John and Lisa also bring us a taste of other winter fare on offer… “The best seafood is in winter: amazing scallops and beautiful prawns,” notes John. “The water’s cold, so you get great fish such as sea bass, turbot and cod – those are great this time of year. You can’t beat smoked haddock chowder for a winter warmer!” “It’s mac and cheese for me – I love it!” admits Lisa. “You can pimp…

CASUALTY Matthew Afolami..................... Osi Okerafor Sah Brockner....................... Arin Smethurst Faith Cadogan....................... Kirsty Mitchell Iain Dean....................... Michael Stevenson Charlie Fairhead............... Derek Thompson Teddy Gowan............................ Milo Clarke Ethan Hardy..................... George Rainsford David Hide................................. Jason Durr Jan Jenning................................ Di Botcher Dylan Keogh............................ William Beck Marty Kirkby................. Shaheen Jafargholi Rashid ‘Rash’ Masum.............. Neet Mohan Jacob Masters........................ Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Stevie Nash.......................... Elinor Lawless CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan.......................... Adam Hussain Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Izzy Armstrong................ Cherylee Houston Aggie Bailey.......................... Lorna Laidlaw Edison Bailey......... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey...................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey........................ Ryan Russell Ronnie Bailey......................... Vinta Morgan Adam Barlow.................. Samuel Robertson Carla Barlow.............................. Alison King Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Sarah Barlow............................ Tina O’Brien Simon Barlow............................... Alex Bain Leanne Battersby.................... Jane Danson Toyah…

EASTENDERS Double trouble! WILL JANINE LEAD MICK TO THE DARK SIDE? Mick’s about to find out just what Janine Butcher is capable of next week, as the pair find themselves at war with another Albert Square resident! Now, the Queen Vic landlord is a law-abiding citizen, of course, but it’s no secret just how low conniving Janine is willing to stoop to get what she wants – and soon, Mick finds himself caught up in one of her outrageous schemes. Is he set to regret teaming up with the evil madam? CORRIE Aggie’s fury! The battle lines are drawn between Grace and Aggie, as Michael’s scheming ex offers up fresh torture for the Bailey family. How much longer will Aggie put up with it? EMMERDALE Kidnap horror! Cain’s up to…

BULLSEYE! What a thrill it is to know that Jean can send out the Bat Signal to Sean in the event of any shock plot twists – such as Stacey finding a wife in prison – and sneak him unseen through her secret tunnel to the Slater house. Having Rob Kazinsky back even just for a flying visit put a smile on our faces like no other Walford plot in recent times. Bring him home for good! After weeks of niggling suspicion – and this guilty look – we’re now sure that Corrie’s Curtis is up to some mischief. All we’re desperate to know now is what kind of mischief! We were positively drooling over Eve and Stacey’s fun takedown of Suki. She’s had it coming for months! What a…

Delinquent Max sends David’s temper soaring this week, when he creates a conspiracy theory video linking Johnny and Natasha’s tragic deaths. Before he sees the inflammatory content, David is pleased that Max seems so engrossed in something that doesn’t involve his XBox. He believes tutor Summer is helping calm Max down and set him on a better path. But when Max unveils the shocking film on his social media accounts, David loses it! “Max has created a film about the tragic night of the sinkhole drama, and suggests a shocking link between Johnny drowning in the sewers and Natasha being shot!” reveals our Street insider. “It’s a truly jaw-dropping piece of content that has people up in arms straight away. Not only is Max basing his claims on idle speculation,…

Walford’s baby mystery delivered an almighty shock for Sharon, after a DNA test revealed that neither Zack nor Martin was young Alyssa’s father – and that her late son Denny was the dad! Understandably, the news dredges up a ton of mixed emotions for Sharon, who is still mourning the loss of her boy. However, as her maternal instincts kick in, Sharon will plough all her energy and resources into fighting for custody of Alyssa… “This is the start of a huge new chapter for Sharon in the run-up to Christmas,” teases our Walford insider. “Alyssa is the only part of Denny she has left, and she won’t let her go without a fight.” It’s after Sharon meets up with Alyssa’s mum, Jada – and gets the full story on…

‘Set a thief to catch a thief’, so the old saying goes. If the same is true for killers, then perhaps Chelsea should seek the help of her serial killer father, Lucas Johnson. And one person who would love to see Lucas sprung from prison is Walford star Zaraah Abrahams… “I really hope Lucas comes back, I miss Don Gilet so much,” enthuses the star. “I felt lost when he left; at the start, almost every scene was with him, so we did everything together. I used to try to have lunch with Don too, and he’d be like, ‘No! Go away!’ “I think me missing him is pretty unrequited, because I call him at least twice a week, and he never picks up!”…

1 “When I first started watching EastEnders, Stacey and Bradley were huge – so I when I met Lacey Turner I was like, ‘Oh my god!’. I definitely looked up to her.” 2 “ Brian Conley [Rocky] is hilarious! He’s always got a trick, a joke, or a story. He’s so quick-witted and has the gift of the gab, he’s a real joy to work with.” 3 “Someone I’d love to have more scenes with is Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki. I think it would be such an interesting relationship, Suki and Dotty are quite similar.” 4 “Now that Janine’s back, hopefully I’ll get to work with Charlie Brooks. Janine and Dotty could be an iconic duo! I could see them teaming up to make mischief…” 5 “Natalie Cassidy [Sonia]…

TELLY! Funny how some shows can burn brightly, then snuff out seemingly overnight. In the summer of 2007, everyone was talking about Heroes, the big new sci-fi series from the US. Then – they weren’t. The show managed four seasons, but less than a million were still tuning in by the end. FILM! Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was casting its spell over the UK, with this fifth instalment topping the charts. However, Harry was toppled just a week later – not by Voldemort, but The Simpsons Movie. Doh! HITS! Rihanna notched up her 10th and final week at number one in the charts. This gave Umbrella the longest stint in the top slot since 1994, when Wet Wet Wet’s Love Is All Around managed a whopping…

DIY SOS: The Big Build Children in Need Special Fronted by comedian Rhod Gilbert, DIY SOS heads to Hull to transform an overgrown 2.5-acre site into a purpose-built adventure campsite for St Michael’s Youth Project. Tuesday, BBC1, 9pm Bargain Hunt Children in Need Special 2021 Actor John Thomson and his daughter, Olivia, go up against newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti and her daughter, Roxy, for a special celebrity edition of the auction-hunting show. Friday, BBC1, 12.15pm BBC Children in Need University Challenge Special Kirsty Wark hosts, as Team BBC (Rick Edwards, Mishal Husain, Angela Barnes and Jon Culshaw) and Team ITV (Kaye Adams, Dr Ranj Singh, Russell Kane and Denise Welch) go head-to-head in the classic battle of brains. Thursday, BBC2, 10pm…