Table of contents for 51/52 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“Oh, it’s wild drama this Christmas!” Ho ho ho! Greetings of the season to you from soapland; that special place where it always snows at Christmas – or, if not, you can at least expect a dusting of festive ash from some local inferno or other. It’s also that parallel world where it’s a perfectly reasonable choice to hold your wedding on Christmas Day. Frankly, it’s an achievement that morning if I can dress myself and crawl to the sofa in time for Top Of The Pops – imagine getting married? We are blessed with three weddings this Christmas, with two brides – Chelsea and Emma – surely hurtling toward heartbreak. Indeed, it looks as if Chelsea could save by double-booking for a funeral on Boxing Day. Oh, it’s wild…

Bride Denise faces heartbreak on her wedding day, as betrayed sister Kim makes plans to leave Walford forever. Kim can’t forgive Denise for lying to her about Vincent’s murder, and no longer wants anything to do with her. Chelsea pays Kim a visit and begs her to reconsider, saying it won’t feel right without her there. However, even when Denise makes a heartfelt last-ditch plea, it seems that Kim just won’t budge. Denise is emotional as she tells her sister what it would mean to her to have Kim there as she weds Jack. But despite saying she’ll think about it, Kim forges ahead with her plans to move back to Scotland. She wants Pearl and Mica as far away from Walford as possible, and there’s nothing Denise can say…

Kat’s hopes of a romantic first Christmas with Phil are destroyed when Sharon turns up to celebrate with them! Phil has invited his ex-wife without telling anybody, including Kat, and it leaves a sour taste in his girlfriend’s mouth. Although she’s attempted to keep her jealousy in check, Kat’s finding it harder to keep her cool around Phil’s former missus. So, imagine her horror when Sharon waltzes in to share their Christmas dinner… “Putting Sharon on the Slater Christmas guest list has to rank as one of Phil’s top five biggest mistakes – and that’s saying something!” laughs our Walford insider. “Kat knew Phil was a bit of a Neanderthal, but this is emotional tone-deafness on a whole new level. “As predicted, it’s a disaster as Kat grows annoyed with…

Hi, Brian! How does it feel to be at the heart of one of the biggest festive plots? It’s a wonderful honour, I’m very aware what a big event ‘Christmas EastEnders’ is. Danny Dyer [who plays Mick] said, “It’s great Bri, it’s like having two Christmases” – and he’s right! Do you have a favourite Walford Christmas memory? On my very first day I made a beeline for the stairs in the Vic – where Den gave Ange the divorce papers – and I’m stood there thinking, ‘Over 30 million people watched this’. It was such an iconic moment, and there I am going, “Ooh” and taking selfies! Do you relish the idea of a big reveal scene on Christmas Day? Absolutely! The revelation has been a long time coming,…

It was this time last year that Adam almost tanked his marriage to Sarah following a passionate fling with Carla. Now this Christmas, his ex Lydia is hanging around as Adam sheepishly evades going into detail about their history. Just what is he hiding? “Sarah and Lydia are becoming really pally, and as they chat Sarah thanks Lydia for not letting her past ‘fling’ with Adam stand in the way of their friendship,” reveals our Street source. “However, Lydia’s reaction to the word ‘fling’ – which is how Adam remembers their relationship – suggests that’s not how she would describe it!” In the build-up to Christmas, Adam and Sarah hope to bring their families together for a joint turkey lunch – yet it’s a recipe for disaster as their relatives…

George hopes to make his first Christmas with Eileen a memorable one – yet the look on her face suggests it may be a day to remember for all the wrong reasons! The undertaker has put a lot of thought into getting the perfect Christmas present for Eileen, and has even turned to Gail for some advice on what she might like. So as 25 December arrives, and George presents Eileen with her gift, he’s sure he’s on to a winner… But as Eileen removes her blindfold and clocks what George has got for her, it’s clear that she’s not at all impressed. The situation goes from bad to worse when Eileen finds out that her old enemy Gail was behind the idea, and she brands her deranged! It falls…

Will delivers a Christmas Day bombshell when he proposes to Kim – but only after Bernice issues him with an ultimatum! He’s been fighting his attraction to Bernice, but when he hears she’s on a date with Dan, Will is jealous. Bernice takes this as a sign that it’s her he wants to be with and tells him to make a choice: her or Kim. However, neither of them realises that Kim’s heard every word – and she’s absolutely livid. “Crossing Kim is a dangerous game, and Will is playing with fire!” warns our Emmerdale insider. “It’s taken a lot for Kim to let her guard down with Will, so his betrayal is going to unleash hell. In fact, the first thing Kim does after hearing him and Bernice is…

As the clock strikes midnight on 1 January, the bubbly will have already been flowing for Tina and husband Adam Croft, who are due to celebrate their third wedding anniversary on New Year’s Eve. The couple wed in 2018 in a fairytale marriage ceremony before celebrations continued into the early hours with their friends, family and Tina’s Corrie cast members. So can we a expect a celebratory rave-up to mark their anniversary? “It sounds awful, but we haven’t celebrated like that in the past!” giggles 38-year-old Tina. “Obviously last year was a no-no, although we have a friend who is potentially throwing a New Year’s Eve party at her house this year, so that might be an option. I’m sure that we’ll do something! “For Christmas, on the other hand,…

It’s nice to see a bit of happiness sprinkled among all the death and disaster in soapland over the festive season – and there’s a truly heart-warming moment in Emmerdale this New Year’s Eve, when Billy asks on-off girlfriend Dawn to marry him. If only their happy ever after wasn’t doomed thanks to the local serial killer waiting to strike! Let’s not rain on the happy couple’s parade just yet, though. Dales stars Olivia Bromley and Jay Kontzle are delighted that their characters have finally got their act together – though they both admit that life won’t be easy with Meena and Malone threatening Dawn and Billy’s future… Merry Christmas to you both! What’s it been like for you to be involved in Emmerdale’s big festive plot? Olivia We’ve been…

"There’s no getting away from Christmas when you work on soaps!” laughs Eva O’Hara, aka Hollyoaks’ Verity, as we catch up with her ahead of the festive season. “In Hollyoaks, Christmas starts in September, and then real Christmas is four months later – it’s never-ending. Everyone gets a bit Christmas crazy; but of course, I love it!” While Eva tells us that she enjoys the festive time of year, Verity on the other hand is attempting to leave the past behind her for a fresh start in 2022. But can she ever move on from the horror of Project Bluebird? Eva certainly hopes so… Merry Christmas, Eva! Tell us, where is Verity spending Christmas this year? Well, Verity is back with Tony, Diane and all their kids. It’s been a…

Passepartout (Ibrahim Koma) “Passepartout is a waiter at the Reform Club, who gets into trouble and has to leave London fast,” explains Ibrahim. “He overhears Fogg’s bet and sees it as the perfect opportunity to get away, so joins him on his journey as his valet. In the beginning he’s street smart and finds it difficult to trust others.” Abigail ‘Fix’ Fortescue (Leonie Benesch) “Fix is a very unconventional young woman,” insists Leonie. “She thinks only of her career, made possible by her father owning The Daily Telegraph. She’s researched an article which states that it’s possible to travel around the world in 80 days. Fix sees travelling as a means to make her mark in a man’s world.” Bernard Fortescue (Jason Watkins) “Bernard is the editor…

Paul O’Grady brings Battersea Dogs and Cats Home some Christmas cheer, determined to help more pups find their new forever homes – among them loveable Patterdale puppy Pudding… “Pudding was a smashing little dog who needed a big operation,” shares Paul. “He was involved in a traffic accident and hurt his leg – it got so bad, he had to lose it. But they are so resilient these dogs: I took him out just a couple of days after his op and he was full of it!” Among the other pooches Paul pets are eight-year-old Beagle Bella – first seen arriving at Battersea from a puppy farm in the Christmas 2018 episode – and a crossbreed called Boo… “Usually, if there’s a dog that won’t eat, they send me in,”…

After a huge snowfall prompts the arrival of a 14-ft tall Abominable Snow Baby, he’s rejected by the local community. Determined to rally against their prejudice, strong and spirited Granny – voiced by Julie Walters – rescues him, joined by her grandson, Albert (Homeland’s Hugh Dancy), as she welcomes Snow Baby into her home and spoils him… “I love Gran – she’s so full of vim and energy at 98!” beams Julie, joining Inside TV via Zoom. “She’s very full of love and courage – it doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s what’s inside. I think she’s an inspiration, in a cartoon way!” Hugh and Julie are joined by Supergirl’s David Harewood who narrates the story, taken from Terry Pratchett’s book of Christmas tales – Father Christmas’s Fake Beard.…

HANSEL & GRETEL: AFTER EVER AFTER The third of David Walliams’ fairy tales continued, starring Sheridan Smith, Mark Addy and Sophie Thompson. Sky Showcase THURSDAY 23rd DEC QUENTIN BLAKE: THE DRAWING OF MY LIFE Celebrating the much-loved illustrator and author with stars including Joanna Lumley, Peter Capaldi and Ore Oduba. BBC2 CHRISTMAS DAY SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS A brand-new special featuring further festive comic capers courtesy of Shaun, Timmy and the Flock. BBC1 CHRISTMAS EVE…

Sean Tully............................. Antony Cotton Abi Webster............................ Sally Carman Kevin Webster...................... Michael Le Vell Gary Windass............................ Mikey North Bernie Winter..................... Jane Hazlegrove Gemma Winter............ Dolly-Rose Campbell Phill Whittaker........................ Jamie Kenna DOCTORS Zara Carmichael..... Elisabeth Dermot Walsh Ruhma Carter........................... Bharti Patel Jimmi Clay.................. Adrian Lewis Morgan Daniel Granger.............. Matthew Chambers Al Haskey.................................. Ian Midlane Karen Hollins........................... Jan Pearson Rob Hollins.............................. Chris Walker Luca McIntyre....................... Ross McLaren Valerie Pitman......................... Sarah Moyle Emma Reid................................. Dido Miles Bear Sylvester................................ Dex Lee Sid Vere.................................... Ashley Rice EASTENDERS Iqra Ahmed............................. Priya Davdra Gray Atkins............... Toby-Alexander Smith Mitch Baker.......................... Roger Griffiths Isaac Baptiste....................... Stevie Basaula Bobby Beale.................. Clay Milner Russell Kathy Beale......................... Gillian Taylforth Peter Beale............................ Dayle Hudson Jack Branning........................ Scott Maslen Jay Brown......................... Jamie Borthwick Janine Butcher.................... Charlie Brooks Keegan Butcher-Baker............. Zack Morris Tiffany Butcher-Baker............. Maisie Smith…

Rainie and Stuart’s Christmas is a far from a happy one this year, as Stuart continues to struggle with his recent diagnosis. The news from the hospital has knocked Stuart for six, but he still hasn’t told his wife what’s going on. Although when Rainie grows tired of his distant behaviour, and distracts herself with a night of partying at The Prince Albert, might she fall back into dangerous habits? “The one thing that Stuart and Rainie have going for them is that they’re always honest with each other,” points out our Square insider. “Rainie can see that there’s something serious on her husband’s mind, yet rather than opening up to her and accepting her support, Stuart is pushing Rainie away. She’s devastated.” The only person that Stuart’s been able…

There’s a magical moment for Nick and Leanne this Christmas, when they overhear Sam talking for the first time since his mum’s death. The youngster was so traumatised after seeing his murdered mum Natasha in the chapel of rest that he’s been mute ever since – and both Nick and Leanne have tried everything to get him to talk to them. So, imagine their delight when they overhear the boy chatting to neighbour Hope on a walkie-talkie. Sam breaking his silence is a big step forward, yet he clams up when he realises that his dad is eavesdropping on his conversation. As Sam reverts to his silent self, Nick worries that they’re right back to square one again……

FAIR CITY Lucy attempts to hide her unease as Ritchie’s murder becomes the talk of the town – and soon, unstable Tyler goes out to seek revenge. But who is his target? Elsewhere, Melanie is stressed while preparing Christmas dinner, and worries she won’t get the perfect day. And Leo blames Carol for everything that’s gone wrong… THE ARCHERS The rehearsals for Mysteries are in full swing, and Kirsty is forced into playing the role of a dastardly detective to get her friend off the hook… Meanwhile, when the final Christmas gifts are unwrapped, will the Aldridges find exactly what they expected? Finally, two old faces return to the village! See TV listings for times & channel details…

One of the highlights of 2021 for Inside Soap has been seeing our favourite troublemaker Janine Butcher return to Walford to raise merry hell. Putting her back behind the bar of the Vic was a stroke of genius, and we don’t even mind that she’s stirring up problems between Mick and Linda – because she’s just so good at being bad! As Christmas Day rolls around, Janine will be up to her usual mischievous antics as she puts on her best festive frock in an attempt to seduce Mick (see p8). Here, we sit down with EastEnders star Charlie Brooks for a chat about all things Janine – and she tells us that she’s having just as much fun playing the bad girl as we’re having watching her… First things…

This time last year, Fiz was excitedly getting ready for Christmas with Tyrone and wondering what 2021 had in store for their family. If only she’d known the heartbreak ahead, Fiz might have left Ty to do the turkey and treated herself to a few stiff gins down the Rovers. Everything has since changed as Fiz and Ty ready themselves for their first festive season as a separated couple. Nobody deserves a bit of happiness more than poor Fiz – but even that is snatched away by her ex, explains Corrie star Jennie McAlpine. “At one stage, Fiz thinks that the Christmas of her dreams is on the cards,” muses the actress, as we catch up about the Street’s festive stories. “Phill is planning to take her and the girls…

There’s a festive first for Death In Paradise this Boxing Day, as the Caribbean crime series concludes its 10th anniversary celebrations with a special feature-length episode – but there’ll not be much time for Neville and the team to enjoy any seasonal respite, after a glamorous party has gruesome consequences… “We’re very excited about our first Christmas special!” beams Ralf Little, who plays Neville, as he and his cast mates join Inside TV from the island of Guadeloupe, where the series is filmed. “When you’re used to Christmas being cold and snowy, it’s a bit odd to see Christmas decorations everywhere in the blazing sunshine – although you do get used to it!” While the festive episode – which features a star-studded guest cast, including Juliet Stevenson, Mathew Baynton, Jocelyn…

Hi, Shona! Would you like Whitney and Chelsea to team up to take down Gray? I absolutely love working with Zaraah Abrahams [Chelsea], we do the best scenes and get on really well. So, yeah, I’d love that! We want Whit to find the truth about Gray killing Kush too. If she does, will she seek revenge? It’s a bit weird to say, but – as an actress – I hope she wants the ultimate revenge and does something that is unexpected and isn’t safe! However, I don’t know what’s going to happen yet, which is really annoying and exciting at the same time. Do you still get excited about Christmas in Walford? I do, to be honest. I’ve been at EastEnders since I was just 16, which is a…

Janine makes one last gasp to ensure her name is at the top of the naughty list, as she sets out to humiliate arch-enemy Stacey! When the Vic hosts a Best Spouse in the ’Ouse quiz, Janine spies the chance to make some mischief. So, ahead of Stacey and her new missus Eve taking their turn, Janine switches out the questions for much more revealing ones about Stacey! Eve’s left confused, while Stacey’s fuming so she wastes no time in letting Janine know what she thinks of her……

‘All is calm’ and ‘all is bright’ are the soothing carol lyrics that we’d normally associate with the Woolpack at this time of year, as Emmerdale’s beloved pub twinkles at the heart of the village. However, behind the pretty fairy lights this Christmas lies a darkness threatening to destroy everything that Chas and Marlon have built – and indeed all the previous owners before them – as scheming Al resorts to desperate measures to solve his money troubles… “The tension building at the Woolpack threatens to explode as Al concocts a deadly plan,” whispers our Dales insider. “Christmas night is going to be anything but silent in Emmerdale, that’s for sure!” After weeks of playing cat-and-mouse with their unscrupulous partner, Chas and Marlon have made it clear to Al that…

There’s only one thing Sam wants this Christmas, and it’s to have wife Lydia back in his arms – but can he make it happen? The couple are still estranged after Sam threw out Lydia for reporting Liv to the police. He’s lost without her, but it takes Mandy to push Sam into making amends with his wife. After their massive argument, he’s unsure of what he can say to win her back, but the family come up with a plan for Christmas that’s sure to melt the hardest of hearts. Lydia is surprised when she finds an invitation for Christmas Day in her letterbox, while Sam grins as he watches from afar. He enlists the help of Samson and Mandy to create the best Christmas, and when the day…

“Honestly I get why Adam and Sarah are keen to have lunch with their relatives under one roof!” giggles Tina O’Brien, who plays cobbles sweetheart Sarah. “I remember one Christmas when my son [Beau] was a newborn. My husband’s family lives in Northampton and my parents live in Manchester – and my daughter Scarlett’s dad is sometimes based in London. So it was quite a job to make sure that we saw everyone – while trying not to spend our entire Christmas Day on a motorway!” Tina speaks the truth in that her character’s dilemma this Yuletide (see p19) is very true to life. Every year families up and down the country will debate whose turn it is to ‘do Christmas’, and you can never please everyone. Yet, unlike…

“The day we filmed the Christmas episode was so lovely,” grins EastEnders star Milly Zero, aka Dotty, as we ask her what it’s like to have to get into the festive spirit in October. “We were all eating a roast diner for real, then Natalie Cassidy [Sonia] brought in loads of snacks from M&S – and afterwards, we all went to the pub. It was like a little work Christmas do!” We’ve often wondered what it must be like to don your festive hats and jumpers two months before the actual day to film a soapy Christmas, but Milly assures us that it hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm for her own family’s celebrations this December. “I’ll be at my dad’s this year, and my sisters will stay at my flat on…

Tyrone has a nasty shock coming to him when Fiz tells him she wants to leave No 9 and move away with Phill – and he’s left devastated once she informs him that she plans to put Jack and Vera’s old family home on the market. “Those scenes were so hard to film,” admits Jennie. “The thought of leaving the Duckworths’ was emotional for me, never mind Tyrone! The house will always be theirs, and we’re just lodgers. Fiz knows Tyrone won’t take it well. But her memories of the house are tarnished now, and when Phill offers her a chance of a fresh start, Fiz decides that’s just what she needs.”…

It’s 1872 in London, and a newspaper article suggesting that modern advances could allow circumnavigation of the globe in just 80 days is about to change the life of formerly landlocked Phileas Fogg forever. Thanks to a reckless bet, Phileas is prompted to put this bold travel claim to the test – and as Jules Verne’s enduring tale returns to our screens on an epic scale for a brand-new eight-part series, an incredible adventure is in store for us all… Hello David! What can you tell us about Phileas? He spends most of his days at a gentlemen’s club having lunch at the same table with the same friends: Fortescue [Jason Watkins] and Bellamy [Peter Sullivan]. He has a timid and uneventful life, surrounded by men who are rather set…

ALAN CARR’S EPIC GAMESHOW Alan Carr hosts a revival of classic 80s game show The Price Is Right for this one-off, in which contestants must guess the price of a variety of Christmas prizes. The top player then takes on the Epic Showcase… ITV, THURSDAY 23rd DEC I CAN SEE YOUR VOICE Singer Leona Lewis joins host Paddy McGuinness and ‘investigators’ Jimmy Carr, Alison Hammond and Amanda Holden to try to tell the difference between good and bad secret singers, all dressed up in Christmas-themed outfits. BBC1, CHRISTMAS EVE THE CUBE The two celeb teams to take on the crazy challenges set by The Cube are Lorraine Kelly and her daughter Rosie, and Diversity’s Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely. Do they have the skills to win £250,000 for their chosen…

After last year’s success of joining together the daytime forces of Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and This Morning to share Christmas Day with us, ITV once again brings us this fab festive line-up. First up, at 7am (be honest, you’ll be on the sherry by then), Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway will be kicking off the big day. So how do our morning stars start their Christmases when they’re not on the telly? “My Christmas Day begins with a cup of tea in bed while watching the boys open their presents,” shares Susanna. “And after lunch, clearing up all the wrapping paper!” Next, at 9am, Lorraine Kelly fronts a special show with showbiz guests aplenty, and a few festive surprises… “Christmas starts with me eating an entire chocolate…