Inside Soap UK 42-2025

For most people, Hollyoaks was watching the Sunday omnibus in your PJs with a side order of Dermot O’Leary and Steve Jones as breakout presenters on T4. My own love affair with Chester began with the first episode in 1995, and I remember saving up actual pennies to buy a 15-rated spin-off on VHS, to watch Kurt Benson dunk Rob Hawthorne in the English Channel. In its 30 years, Hollyoaks has had train crashes, bus smashes and more serial killers than you can shake a stick at. But it’s so much more: it’s groundbreaking stories other soaps wish they’d thought of first. It’s brave, bold, beautiful – and now a pioneer for continuing dramas promoting quality over quantity. Except, quantity is something we’re dining out on in this bumper issue…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines Jimmy is left fighting for his life this week after he’s knocked down by a car – which just so happens to be driven by his arch-enemy, Joe! As shockwaves ripple through the village, speculation is rife as to whether this was just an accident or a calculated act of revenge from the Tates. The recent incident between youngsters Carl and Clemmie has sparked a bitter feud between the wealthy Home Farm family and the King clan – so did Joe deliberately try to bump Jimmy off? “All hell broke loose when Jimmy’s son Carl forwarded the indecent image of Clemmie,” begins our Emmerdale insider. “And things are only going to get worse – if that’s even possible! Dawn and Nicola have already clashed…

Did Nicola initially blame Clemmie for what happened? As far as Nicola was concerned, Clemmie sent the picture of her own volition – Carl didn’t ask her to do it. But sending the picture in the first place and forwarding it are both criminal offences. Nicola eventually saw that Carl completely breached Clemmie’s privacy and trust. Is Carl sorry for what he did? He does feel bad for embarrassing Clemmie, but at first he had no idea that it would end up becoming a police matter. Once that image is forwarded, anyone could get hold of it on the internet. Essentially, this is child pornography. Will this make Nicola a more vigilant parent? Because of online algorithms you just don’t know what your children are being exposed to, even when…

Lisa and Becky share an intimate moment at No.6 this week, before Roy rocks up out of the blue! Will Roy inform Carla about her fiancée’s closeness to Becky? “It’s hard to believe that Roy wouldn’t tell Carla what he’s seen” After Lisa and Becky settle down for some food and wine on the sofa, the ex-couple find themselves locked in a warm exchange as Lisa grasps Becky’s hand in hers – until Roy shuffles his way through the living room door! “Roy has a special loyalty to Carla,” reflects our cobbles insider. “It’s hard to believe that he wouldn’t tell her about whatever he’s seen, unless Lisa has a valid explanation for her cosy evening. Nobody could argue with Lisa and Becky wanting to spend some time with each…

Becky So far, Becky has proven herself to be as slippery as an eel, but it can’t be denied that there are still deep feelings between her and Lisa. Could that history lead Lisa back to her ex? After all, Becky and Lisa shared years of bringing up Betsy, not to mention they loved each other so much that they happily lived and worked together! Carla Just one look at Carla and Lisa together will show you that the love they share for each other is out of this world. Through good times and bad, both women have stood by their partner, all while their chemistry continues to sizzle. And not only is Carla’s bond with Lisa so important, but her relationship with Betsy is too. Obvs CARLA is the…

Nigel crashes his beloved motor on the streets of Walford this week, before handing himself in to the cops! Could Nigel – who is living with dementia – end up serving time behind bars for the chaos he’s caused? “Julie tries to persuade Nigel that she was the one driving the car” Following an upsetting argument with Julie, Nigel walks away from his wife and heads out for a sneaky car ride. Even though Julie has previously warned him that he’s not permitted to drive, Nigel puts his foot on the gas and sets off down the road. But before too long, Nigel suffers a meltdown that leads to disaster… “Nigel sees that Julie is calling him and becomes overwhelmed,” grimaces our Walford spy. “He struggles to concentrate and, before…