Table of contents for 18 - 2022 in Inside Soap UK

This week, Emmerdale viewers will finally find out the shocking secret Leyla has been hiding – she’s been taking cocaine with new pal Suzy! It’s after Take A Vow joins forces with Suzy’s own events-planning business to land a lucrative deal that Leyla celebrates by racking up a line of coke. Is she in the grips of a serious problem? Dales star Roxy Shahidi, who plays Leyla, tells us things could get very messy… So Roxy, how is Leyla feeling after Jai was caught with her drugs last week? She’s feeling guilty – Jai has basically lost the most important thing in his life because of her thrill-seeking. She does her best to make amends for that by helping him with his business; she can’t get him and Laurel back…

It’s a big week for Janine as she prepares to find out if she’ll be given custody of daughter Scarlett. For months, Scarlett has been living with Kat and half-brother Tommy after a judge decided she’d be better off there. But in the meantime, Janine has put down roots, landed a steady job while also playing a consistent role in her daughter’s life. She’s hoping that’ll all add up to a compelling case for Scarlett to come back to live with her, though it’s by no means decided. Despite telling Mick to let her go it alone at court, Janine is touched after he insists on being by her side. Elsewhere, Kat is beside herself with worry about Tommy and is looking for him when she should be in court.…

Noah’s stalking of unsuspecting Chloe cranks up a gear this week, when he starts secretly filming her – then breaks into the girl’s home to snoop around her bedroom! Will she catch the infatuated fella in the act? Since Chloe dumped him, Noah has been full of bravado, insisting he’s better off without her. But it’s clear that his pride has been dented, and he still harbours a huge crush on his ex. Desperate to ruin her new romance with Nate and find a way to win her back, Noah employs increasingly intense tactics that start to cross a creepy line… “Noah has gone from being angry with Chloe for rejecting him to full-on obsession,” warns our Emmerdale insider. “He even stole her phone and put a location tracker on…

Amy’s hopes of wowing on the international fashion circuit are left in complete tatters this week, after her show is ruined when boyfriend Ned is exposed as a love rat! It’s while Amy’s creations are being showcased by Harlow that the affair between the model and Ned is laid bare for all to see. The crowd is shocked, and poor Amy’s left humiliated and heartbroken. Neighbours actor Ben Hall tells us that his character Ned is wracked with guilt about his terrible behaviour… Ned and Harlow had the fling at the waterfall, but how do they end up back in each other’s arms? It’s at Lassiters’ fashion week, they’re both working on that together. Harlow is modelling for Amy, and Ned is also working for Amy with the design team.…

Exhausted George is read the riot act by Todd this week, after his sleepless nights cause chaos at the undertakers. The mortified man refuses to rest properly while he’s staying over with partner Eileen, convinced that his terrible snoring will end up driving her away. She has no idea that he’s counting the hours while she’s happily dreaming, and Todd knows it needs to stop. He can’t believe it when George muddles up the ashes belonging to clients, and warns him that this situation is a disaster. Poor George knows that Todd’s right, so he finds the courage to talk to Eileen… Bearing his soul, George explains that he’s completely wiped out because he doesn’t sleep at night in case his snoring drives her potty! How will Eileen react to…

David’s son Ollie visits the ED on a school trip this week – and ends up embarrassed by his dad! As David talks to his son’s class, Ollie cringes at his efforts to fit in with the kids. Soon, two of Ollie’s most troublesome schoolmates realise he has insider intel on the hospital, so they ask him if he knows a place where they can smoke… Keen to fit in, Ollie shows Dan and Louise a secluded spot outside and even joins them – but soon, the pair are looting a nearby ambulance for laughing gas! But after they sneak into the disabled toilets to try it, Ollie is desperate to get them back to the rest of the class. The misbehaving pair are having none of it, though, and…

PINK IS IN! Yazz in Hollyoaks recently wore a pink and white jacket for her job interview at the school, and I loved it! Where can I get one from? | Liza There’s a really similar item in Zara – just search for the ‘Textured Houndstooth Blazer’. Or if you want another option, check out the ‘ASOS Design Jersey Suit Crop Blazer in Pink Houndstooth’. BUSINESS BRAINS… In EastEnders, Sharon said to Sam that last time Phil handed her his empire, she burned half of it and sold the rest. What was she talking about there? | Matthew, Hertford Back in 2003, when Phil went on the run to escape jail, he signed all the Mitchell businesses over to Sam. First, Sam persuaded Billy to set fire to Phil’s snooker…

Weatherfield is chock-a-block with troubled teenagers these days, but few are quite so tearaway as Max Turner. It makes sense that the son of bad girl Kylie and violent drug dealer Callum would be destined to rebel, but Max has taken things to a whole new level. This week he’s languishing in hospital fighting for his life, having confessed to spiking Amy Barlow’s drink, before lacerating his leg on glass while trying to flee. If he pulls through, there are set to be serious consequences in store – and rising Corrie star Paddy Bever can’t wait for the next challenge Street bosses throw at him… “I was covered in blood for Max’s accident which was lots of fun, but very sticky!” shares the star, who joins us for a chat…

Making a return to the pages of Inside Soap – after a couple of years away – are pictures of soap casts glammed up for a big ‘do’. Nature is healing! So, here we bring you Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb (Mack) – in tartan troos – with co-stars Bradley Johnson (Vinny), Isabel Hodgins (Victoria), Jessie Elland (Chloe), Jack Downham (Noah) and Katie Hill (Sarah). The big night in question was a fundraising ball for the children’s bereavement charity Once Upon A Smile – with proud patron Danny Miller also in attendance with his fiancée Steph Jones. REACH FOR THE STARS There’s no real story to tell with this picture – as shared by EastEnders’ Honey, Emma Barton, other than the fact we love to see a proper soap gang all…

This exciting new crime thriller, stripped across four nights, is exec-produced by Line Of Duty mastermind Jed Mercurio, and written by LOD star Maya Sondhi (PC Maneet Bindra). We follow Leicester-born – now Birmingham-based – DI Rachita Ray (Parminder Nagra), a police officer who works alongside PS Tony Khatri (Maanuv Thiara) and gets promoted to join a homicide investigation, under the watchful eye of DCI Kerry Henderson (Gemma Whelan). While DI Ray is more than capable of the job, what she hasn’t factored in is having to confront her own personal conflict between her British identity and her South Asian heritage. Here, Parminder, Gemma and Maanuv tell Inside TV more about series DI Ray… Hi, all! Tell us about your characters… Parminder DI Ray is at a moment in her…

Following her successful documentary last year exploring the myths surrounding the menopause, Davina McCall aims to further explore the issue in her second film on the subject… “I was aware that there was a gaping hole in our knowledge around something that will happen to every woman – as well as non-binary people and some trans men, too,” she explains. “The first documentary answered many questions, but also left us with more. So, we are back to answer some of those.” Indeed, being tackled this time is the taboo around HRT, as well as women’s sexual and reproductive health – an area often overlooked in healthcare. And Davina hopes that medical professionals in decision-making roles will now be inspired to make improvements… “Women in their mid-40s onwards were often just…

The bitter custody battle for baby Alfie ramps up a gear this week, as Abi hits back at Imran – by kidnapping bride Toyah as she prepares to marry him! Having found out that Imran has paid a shady paralegal to dig up dirt on her, in order to prove that she’s unfit to look after their son, Abi is raging. So when she spots Toyah getting into a taxi on the way to her wedding, Abi jumps behind the wheel – and speeds off… “Imran is terrified when he sees Abi drive off with Toyah in the car!” exclaims Charlie de Melo, who plays the groom. “He has no idea what Abi plans to do with Toyah, although he knows that when she is desperate, Abi behaves in an…

The Spanish isle of Mallorca didn’t know what hit it recently, when the Hollyoaks gang washed up on shore for fun and frolics in the sunshine! Our special behind-the-scenes preview of the cast filming upcoming scenes for Luke and Cindy’s respective stag and hen dos show the bride and groom looking more loved-up than ever, as terminally ill Luke vows to live every moment until his last. And the actors themselves were determined to make the most of a little work jolly abroad… LADS, LADS, LADS! Anyone would think that the Hollyoaks boys were on a real lads’ holiday judging by the Cheshire grins on their faces! Rumour has it that the likes of Gabriel Clark (Ollie), Ashley Taylor Dawson (Darren), Nick Pickard (Tony), Gary Lucy (Luke) and Ellis Hollins…

Two very unlikely Weatherfield residents are arrested and accused of a terrible crime this week, sending shock waves across the whole Street. But are sensible Ken and nice guy Stu really responsible for attempted robbery? And will the locals believe the pair when they are forced to protest their innocence, or will they be labelled as guilty lawbreakers? “This whole mess begins when Stu needs to urgently get to the wholesalers because he’s forgotten to get the extra food needed for Speed Daal’s charity event to cook more meals for the homeless,” explains our Corrie insider. “Stu begs Ken to give him a lift, but when they get there the place is shut. Wondering if there’s anyone still working who could let him in, Stu goes to investigate – and…

As this scary storyline hots up, Chloe is in real danger from her stalker – but Noah could be the one in trouble if Chloe’s criminal dad comes after him! Damon may be banged up, although he keeps a close eye on his daughter from behind bars. Viewers are yet to meet the feared father, but could this latest plot be laying the groundwork for his arrival? When Damon does rock up, we have our dream casting – Guy Henry, freshly released from his Holby City role as Henrik Hanssen. After a string of thugs and psychopaths, he’d be the ice-cold supervillain Emmerdale needs right now!…

It’s a tough week on the Square, as young Lily demands to know what’s going on with her grandma Jean. And while Stacey buckles under the weight of the worry about what to do for the best, it’s Jean’s best pal, Shirley, who ultimately grasps the nettle. In the aftermath of their Southend nightmare, Stacey is relieved that her mum is in hospital. At first, she’s convinced that telling Lily the truth is the only way forward. However, after a trip to visit her mum, Stacey returns, having decided that Lily is too young. “This is a horrible dilemma for Stacey – she just wants the best for Lily,” shares our Albert Square insider. “When Stacey was young, she saw too much and had to care for Jean during bipolar…

There’s more heartbreak on the cards for Marlon this week, after he’s taken back to hospital – where he’s diagnosed with pneumonia. It’s while Rhona’s at work – and Bear takes Marlon on a visit to the allotment – that disaster strikes. And when word reaches Rhona that her fiancé has had a relapse, she’s utterly devastated… “The obvious panic is, has he had another stroke?” reveals Zoe Henry, who plays worried Rhona. “Nobody seems to know until Rhona gets to the hospital and the doctor fills her in. Then she goes through the normal thing of blaming herself, because if she hadn’t left to go to work, then maybe she would have spotted it sooner. She’s feeling dreadful, and worried about what it means for their future.” This latest…

Scott’s dream of becoming a foster parent turns into a nightmare this week, when troubled teenager Vicky comes to stay. Hoping for a cute toddler, Scott gets more than he bargained for as the surly schoolgirl arrives on an emergency placement from the fostering agency. Struggling to connect with the chaotic kid, Scott accuses her of stealing and isn’t sure he can cope. Meanwhile, a local catches Vicky’s eye and she is suddenly keen to stay in the village……

Mitch goes behind Bernie’s back this week, and agrees to babysit young Roland for Rainie after Bernie asks him not to! Rainie is struggling to balance bringing up her newborn with making sure that husband Stuart is looking after himself (see p40), and Mitch thinks he’s doing a good deed when he offers to take Roland while the Highways go to a hospital appointment. What Mitch fails to register, however, is that Bernie wants to keep a healthy distance between herself and the baby that she carried for Rainie and Stuart – so when she gets wind of Mitch’s offer, Bernie asks him not to babysit. Mitch agrees, yet once he breaks the news to Rainie, she pleads with him to reconsider and suggests they come to a secret arrangement…

This week’s Classic Emmerdale could have changed soap forever. On the surface, the arrival of the trips-off-the-tongue Calder-Weston clan seems familiar enough. A car prang. A complicated backstory. A shock reveal… (Gasp! Mum Maggie is the new manager of that unconvincing holiday village!) Sadly, the Carter-Westons’ on-screen story is far less interesting than the backstage one. Well, if ‘backstage’ is the word for it, given that their journey to Emmerdale played out on primetime ITV. Following the runaway success of the reality show Popstars – which put together peppy young band Hear’Say – ITV brought us Soapstars. Over several weeks, viewers saw hopefuls fight to win a contract on a top ITV soap. (Not Corrie, though, the actual top soap. ITV weren’t willing to tarnish their crown jewel with this…

FAMILY FEUDS! I reckon the scenes with Rhona and Mary clashing in Emmerdale remind most people of their own mother-daughter relationship. Hopefully they’ll make amends – but in the meantime, I’m hoping that Mary will move in with Faith. That would be hilarious! Eileen MAKE MINE A PINT Watching Classic Coronation Street reminds me of the good old times when the Rovers was packed to the rafters. Underworld staff would gossip over a boozy lunch. Slanging matches, fisticuffs and affairs revealed. I can’t wait for a Rovers return to normal, featuring Weatherfield’s current residents. Luke, County Durham The pub may not be packed to the brim – but it’s certainly heading that way! MAKING A CONFESSION… Once again Paul has been the cause of David’s downfall in Neighbours. If Paul…

Early days… Stacey was brought up by mum Jean following the death of her dad Brian when Stacey was 11. She first arrived in Albert Square in 2004 to stay with her great uncle Charlie, needing a break from looking after her mum, who has bipolar. Apples of her eye Stacey has three children: Lily to Whitney’s brother Ryan was born in 2010; Arthur arrived in 2015 fathered by Kush (although for a time everyone thought he was Martin’s); then two years later, she had Hope with then hubby Martin. Love life Stacey married Bradley Branning in 2007, despite having been sleeping with his dad in the run-up to the wedding! She wed Martin in 2020, with romances with Dean Wicks and Callum Monks in between. She’s now in a…

We were pleased to see it was ‘sun’s out, guns out’ for dazzling Corrie couple Samia and Sylvain Longchambon on their recent jaunt to Portugal, with only Emmerdale’s Amy Walsh and former Walford partner Toby-Alexander Smith giving them a run in the soap pin-up stakes. But our favourite team-up has to be Corrie’s ‘Tinkers on Tour’, as Lisa George (Beth), Rob Mallard (Daniel), and Katie McGlynn – aka the dearly-departed Sinead – holidayed in Amsterdam together. We’ll bet they attracted a few confused glances along the canals!…

Colin Firth and Toni Collette star in an enthralling eight-part series, a true crime drama sparked by the mystifying demise of businesswoman and philanthropist Kathleen Peterson… This series is new, you say? The title sounds familiar… Well, it likely rings a bell since The Staircase was also the name of the 2018 Netflix documentary series shadowing the trial of crime writer Michael Peterson, accused of killing his wife, Kathleen. This is a drama adaptation of the same case. What happened? Michael called police to report that he’d found Kathleen lying unconscious at the bottom of a flight of stairs at their North Carolina mansion in December 2001. His subsequent claims that she had tumbled to her death while under the influence were rapidly disclaimed – and Michael was soon charged…

Mick faces losing his new love Janine this week as she threatens to quit Walford if he continues to avoid sleeping with her. Although their romance has become serious quickly, Janine is growing frustrated with Mick’s reluctance to be intimate with her. Despite being smitten with him, the fed-up girlfriend is convinced that something is wrong if Mick won’t take things all the way. But when her efforts to move things on fall flat, Janine confides in Billy that she’s planning to leave. “Walford’s hottest new romance is on the rocks already!” whispers our Albert Square gossip. “Janine has the guy she’s always dreamed of, but there’s nothing doing in the bedroom. Obviously, Janine rates herself as a top-class temptress, so when her usual tactics don’t work at all, she’s…

The cobbles can look forward to plenty more capers from Ken – as shown overleaf – as Weatherfield’s William Roache insists that he has no plans to call it quits. The Street stalwart revealed his future plans while celebrating his 90th birthday with a special documentary on ITV – during which he was reunited with his former co-star Anne Reid, who played Ken’s ill-fated first wife Valerie. “While I can do it, and while Corrie will still have me, I have no intention of retiring,” explains Bill, who has played Ken since the soap began in 1960. “I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me.”…

Ethan’s terrifying boss, The Undertaker, arrives in Hollyoaks this week – and threatens to put one of her employees in a coffin if she finds out which of them has been stealing from her! TV legend Glynis Barber plays the role of the gangster chief, and it’s clear from the get-go that The Undertaker means business. Here, star Matthew James Bailey, who plays Ethan, confirms his alter ego is quaking in his boots… As the week kicks off, Ethan is planning to flee the village. Why’s that? He wants to protect his family; he doesn’t want them to be dragged into his life of crime, or the absolute mess that he’s made for himself. So he pens a goodbye letter in order to protect everyone he cares about. He believes…

Faye is given some heartbreaking news at the medical centre this week, when she is told that she’s suffering from early menopause. It was only a few weeks ago that Faye believed she was pregnant, after receiving a false positive on a test. So to go from that to being told that she will never be able to have a child with boyfriend Craig is absolutely devastating… “Faye has only just turned 20, so the idea that she could be going through the menopause is something that hasn’t even crossed her mind,” points out our cobbles sneak. “When she and Craig were told at the hospital that she wasn’t really pregnant, Faye was disappointed – yet she still believed she had years ahead of her to think about having a…

The pressure of handling a difficult case gets to Ethan this week, and he calls a colleague for advice. Having agreed to represent Jordan – who’d been arrested for assault – Ethan was mortified to discover the man’s alleged victim was Billy, and that the attack appears to have been racially motivated. Plus Ethan knows that he won’t be popular once word gets around the village. Unsure about what to do, Ethan calls old pal Harry for guidance. Can he offer the young lawyer any words of wisdom?…

Poor Felicity finds herself fired from Salt this week – and this time, she hasn’t even done anything wrong! After Mackenzie confides in Dean about her financial issues at the restaurant, she realises she needs to make a difficult decision, and tells Flick she has to let her go. But Felicity won’t taking her sacking lying down, and suggests a way that Mac can make some quick cash – the only problem being that it’s not strictly legal! Is Mac desperate enough to agree to Felicity’s plan?…

We’re clearly mad for behind-the-scenes secrets on Classic Scoop this week – exposing the mishaps and missteps of the past. This current batch of Classic EastEnders episodes from 2000 had to cope with the absence of Mike Reid as Frank Butcher due to illness. The problem? The main story was about desperate Frank running a dodgy car scam behind Peggy and Pat’s back. In such circumstances, scenes are swiftly and unconvincingly rewritten – with the producer whistling and pretending to look out the window as they are broadcast, knowing that no one is really buying what’s going on. In this case, however, crossing out the name ‘Frank’ on the scripts and hastily scribbling in ‘Peggy’ actually makes the plot a lot more fun. So much so that they kept it…

“Becoming a mum is a dream come true for Rainie,” beams EastEnders star Tanya Franks, as she joins Inside Soap for a natter. “The one thing she’s always wanted is to bring up a baby of her own and, while the scenarios aren’t ideal, this has been an ambition for Rainie. She doesn’t want anything to scupper it.” The scenarios that Tanya refers to, of course, are her beloved husband Stuart’s cancer diagnosis and the challenges that have arisen from it – not forgetting the pair’s surrogate, Bernie, who is silently twitching across the Square over handing baby Roland to the Highways. “What could possibly go wrong?” we ask Tanya… Hi, Tanya. How do you think Rainie is coping as a mum to Roland so far? I think she is…

“Nadira’s job as a matchmaker is finding love for other people, but she hasn’t been able to find it for herself!” laughs Ashling O’Shea, who plays the Hollyoaks newcomer. All that is set to change this week, however, when Nadira receives a shock proposal from one person, then has a secret kiss with someone else! Shaq surprises his old friend – who he’s tasked with finding him a wife – and suggests they tie the knot, driving confused Nadira into the arms of Juliet. And as Ashling tells us, her alter ego has some difficult decisions ahead… Hi Ashling! Is Nadira surprised when Shaq proposes? It’s completely out of the blue – though once she rationalises it, she realises that it could make a lot of sense. Her grandma, who…

Larger-than-life Kerry makes a lasting impression wherever she goes in the village. And as Laura answers your reader questions, she tells us she is not too dissimilar from her alter ego… “You’ve been in Emmerdale for 10 years now – what’s been your favourite moment?” “What’s been your favourite moment in the show?” Dan and Kerry’s wedding is up there – it was brilliant! We were filming 12 episodes a fortnight building up to it, and then we had this huge ceremony. It was summer, the weather was amazing – so were the costumes – and then we had to learn this ridiculous dance to Beyoncé. It was so much fun! “Which Emmerdale character, dead or alive, would you want to bring back to the show?” I have so many…

Cat and Cathy – the sisters who’d no clue the other existed until their adulterous dad Colin dropped dead – are hungover as we meet them after a night celebrating Cathy’s ‘honeymoon’, her hapless fiancé having abandoned her at the altar. And while Cat proceeds to break the very unexpected news to Cathy that they also have a brother – and there’s a chance he could be Callum, the chap Cathy snogged the night before – it turns out Cathy’s shambles of a life can get worse after all… “She has the hangover to end all hangovers and on top of that, she may have just kissed her brother – appalling and shocking to anyone, let alone to Cathy, who’s one of the most neurotic people in the world,” wails…

As a second series of psychological crime thriller We Hunt Together kicks off this week, conflicted coppers DS Lola Franks (Eve Myles) and DI Jackson Mendy (Babou Ceesay) are determined to nail their nemesis from series one, Freddy Lane (Hermione Corfield) – as Eve explains… “Lola was left very frustrated with being unable to hook Freddy for her involvement in the killings,” shares the star. “In this series, we discover that Freddy now has celebrity status – she’s even using a ghost writer to tell her side of the story. Then Jackson and Lola get a call to say there’s been a murder, and they discover that there may be a connection to Freddy…” As it turns out, there’s a new serial killer in town, known as The Birdman, and…

Cinema DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA The much-anticipated cinematic return of the global phenomenon reunites the Crawley family – as they embark on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa… Starring Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Hugh Bonneville. DVD BELFAST Buddy’s family live in a largely Protestant district with a few Catholic families, but one day his community is turned upside down. Buddy’s family gets caught in the mayhem, and must decide to stay or leave the only place they have ever called home. Starring Judi Dench and Jamie Dornan. BOOK THE PERFECT FIND by Tia Williams Former fashion ed Jenna Jones is 40, broke and starting over. Fired from her job and also dumped by her fiancé,…