Inside Soap UK 27-2025

I’ll be honest, I’m still in total denial about Neighbours coming to an end again later this year. But the crushing blow has definitely been softened by the news that 90s favourite Annalise Hartman is on her way back to Erinsborough soon – 20 years on from her last appearance! Former Neighbours stars Kimberley Davies graced the Inside Soap cover back in 1995, when her minxy alter ego was causing chaos on Ramsay Street, and has always been one of my all-time favourite characters. But what trouble will Annalise get up to this time around? And can we look forward to more exciting returns before we wave goodbye to our friends in Erinsborough once again? “Annalise is one of my favourite characters!” Speaking of soap returns, we bring you more…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines The truth about how Gary ended up in a coma finally comes to light this week – as frantic Maria searches for her missing husband. While fears grow that something sinister has happened to him, Gary’s nearest and dearest still have no idea he’s fighting for his life in hospital. A series of dramatic flashbacks explain what put him there, but who is the mysterious visitor at his bedside? “Maria’s upset Gary walked out, but it’s not until he’s been gone for too long that she realises something is really wrong,” begins Samia Longchambon, aka Maria. “Her emotions turn from being upset about the fact they’ve fallen out, to feeling worried for his safety.” Cops on the case Gary left a few weeks ago…

Did Maria really think Gary had cheated on her? I don’t think she believes Gary and Lou are having a full-blown affair, but she’s definitely suspicious over whether Gary might have feelings for her. He’s sided with her over everything, and seems to see the worst in his wife, but the best in this other woman! Is she relieved to think he’s not the mystery coma patient? As awful it sounds, she confides in Kit that she actually wishes it was Gary, just so she knew where he was. Will Maria take matters into her own hands to find him? Kit assures her he’ll track Gary down, and Maria takes comfort from that. But it absolutely won’t stop her doing everything she can to find him herself… When she eventually…

Joe Tate is kidnapped by wicked Dr Crowley this week – but what does the Machiavellian medic want from him? After Joe is double-crossed and knocked out by his shovel-wielding henchman Shaun, he’s taken to a makeshift hospital room and it’s clear he’s in a very dangerous situation. Is there any way out? “Joe wakes up in a rather suspicious location,” explains Dales star Ned Porteous, who plays him. “He’s very confused, scared and not sure where he is. It’s a very powerless situation for Joe to be in, which he’s not a fan of.” Prior to this perilous ordeal, Joe’s blackmailing nightmare reaches a terrifying climax when a demand for £100,000 is found in the kitchen at Home Farm. Distrustful Joe shows the letter to his new friend Sam,…

Hi Ned! Were you pleased when you found out that James Hillier (aka Crowley) would be coming back? Of course I was! I enjoy working with him, he’s a nice dude. The character that he’s built is fun and serves as a very interesting character going forward… What does Joe like about being friends with Sam? Joe’s fond of Sam because he’s simple. He can figure him out and he understands that there’s no malice behind Sam, there’s no evil there. Joe feels that he can be more of his true self around Sam – he can be a bit more vulnerable and can express his fears. Is it fun playing Joe’s vulnerable side a bit more? It’s brilliant. Not everyone can be a complete superhero and super tough, rich…

Callum commits the ultimate betrayal this week – when he cheats on jailed hubby Ben by spending the night with Johnny Carter! The pair are struggling to fight their forbidden attraction and it’s not long before passion takes over – though Callum is still a married man… “The weather’s hotting up, and so are the vibes between Callum and Johnny!” begins our Walford insider. “They can’t keep their hands off each other. Does that mean it’s officially over between Callum and Ben after all this time?” There’s been a frisson between the copper and the lawyer ever since Ben got sent down. At the height of mum Linda’s alcoholism, vulnerable Johnny tried to put the lips on Callum when he mistook his mate’s support for something much more saucy. Callum…