Содержание выпуска: 13 - 2018 — Inside Soap UK

“I’m enjoying the change in Corrie” Now, have Walford and Weatherfield had a personality swap? In Corrie we have big, hard-hitting issues plots, murderous schemers and cliffhanging drama – while EastEnders has changed its fun setting to maximum, as we have Kat and co involved in some high jinks over a fake death. There’s been a lot of debate about whether Corrie has become too dark, or if EastEnders has lost its edge – but I’m quite enjoying the change, and we all know that it isn’t going to last forever. Take this week as an example: in Corrie, we have some hilarious Mary action, and Chesney dressed as a haddock – while EastEnders sees a shock death (a real one this time), and the start of some twisted drama as…

There’s a huge cast shake-up under way at EastEnders – with the news that three big names are due to leave the soap this spring. In what is perhaps a controversial exit, actress Jenna Russell is waving goodbye to Michelle Fowler, after she was brought in to play the iconic role that was originally made famous by Susan Tully. The decision to recast Michelle in 2016 received a mixed reaction from fans, with stories such as her illicit affair with 17-year-old student Preston Cooper – and bother with stalker Tom Bailey – among the most memorable. Michelle has had very little screen time of late, but Walford bosses and Jenna insist it was a mutual decision to write her out. “Just for clarity, I wasn’t ‘axed’…

Michelle-shock! Michelle could be the next Street serial killer, if star Kym Marsh has her way! “I’d actually like more psychopath stuff,” she confesses. Not guilty! Meanwhile, both Corrie and Emmerdale are in the clear after complaints were made against Phelan’s killer antics and the recent acid attack on Ross Barton. Broadcast regulator Ofcom ruled that neither story breached the rules that govern TV drama. Back with a bang Max Branning fans rejoice! The Square bad boy will be back on our screens soon with another huge story, according to star Jake Wood. “I hope Max finds some happiness and stability this year – but knowing him, it’s unlikely!” chuckles the actor.…

Mishti receives some devastating news this week, as doctors tell her that she’s lost her baby. Although she wasn’t sure about being a mum at first, Mishti came round to the idea of having a child. However, after an argument with Leo, she vents to David about it – and it’s then that she’s gripped with terrible pain, so David rushes her to hospital. When Leo finds out, he’s heartbroken – but Mishti rejects his support. Will their terrible loss tear the couple apart?…

MARIA’S IN THE CLOUDS In Corrie recently, Maria was wearing a really nice jumper that said ‘Get off my cloud!’. I thought it was dead funny – do you know where it’s from? | Claire, Carlisle Maria’s blue Mickey Get Off My Cloud slogan jumper is from www.joanieclothing.com  – and it’s currently in the sale for £35. What a bargain! MR HOLLY? In Hollyoaks when Holly turned down Damon’s proposal, she said that she had one failed marriage behind her already – but I don’t remember that. Who was she hitched to? | Lana Holly married her teen sweetheart Jason Roscoe back in February 2016 – but their union lasted a matter of hours! Not long after they’d said “I do”, Jason discovered that his new missus had…

1 Anthony was born in April 1985 and came to our attention as Gilbert ‘Gilly’ Roach – a man the actor described as “a pushover” – in Hollyoaks from 2005 to 2011. Anthony was nominated for Sexiest Male at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards – clearly on account of his rock-star chic! 2 Anthony made his Emmerdale debut in December 2013 as Pete, the eldest son of James Barton. Pete arrived with younger brother Finn (Joe Gill) in tow, and together they joined middle brother Ross (Michael Parr), who had turned up earlier in the year. The family unit was completed in 2015, when the three brothers were joined by their crazy mum Emma (Gillian Kearney). But within three years, the Barton family had been ripped…

BILLY WALKER Coronation Street 1961–1984 The son of original Rovers publicans Jack and Annie, mechanic Billy flitted between London and Weatherfield after finding his fortune down south. In the wake of a failed engagement to Deirdre Hunt and several unpaid debts, a disastrous stint running the Rovers eventually forced him out of the Street for good. JACK GATES Family Affairs 1997–1998 Head of the ill-fated Hart clan, Jack ruined his marriage to Elsa by having an affair with Maria Simons. The pair reconciled – but after smothering Elsa with a pillow, Jack took his own life and left his fortune to nemesis Pete Callan as bitter revenge on his clan. TOM KING Emmerdale 2004–2006 Multimillionaire Tom moved his haulage firm into the village with…

I love The Undateables – I want to date all of them! At first I thought, ‘Undateables? I don’t know if I like the sound of that’, but when I watched it I just fell in love with everybody. I think programmes like that generally have a bit of heart to them. I was off on Sunday, so I’ve just finished episode 10 of The Crown on Netflix. I was actually saving it, because I didn’t want it to be, “That’s it, I’ve watched the final episode”. So I watched nine and then didn’t watch the tenth for ages! I’m in rehearsals for a show in Edinburgh right now that’s six days a week, so I’ve not had much chance to watch telly…

Comedian Dave Allen stood out for going against the grain, so it’s fitting that this one-off drama celebrating his work is a bit of a maverick too. It tells Allen’s life story in the style of his comedy, intercutting the dramatic elements with comic sketches, and has cameos from lots of TV favourites – including Pauline McLynn as Sister Mary, a nun who meets her match in the young Dave… “I never seem to play a nice nun!” chuckles Pauline. “It’s great to have had my hands on the young Dave Allen – literally! All through the story you see how being educated by the Irish clergy shaped him into the man he was, and how he got out from under it as well, which is very inspirational.” The grown-up…

Most crime shows start with a dead body – but we don’t,” Chris Noth tells Inside TV, as we join the cast of crime drama Gone for a chat in a London hotel. “We start with the possibility of saving someone alive, but they could die if we’re not good at what we do.” That inherent urgency is the reason why Chris’ character Frank Novak recruits Army veteran John Bishop and former kidnap victim Kick Lannigan into a special missing-persons task force, hoping their unique expertise will help them to track down the disappeared more quickly. “Frank represents the good in the world to Kick, when she’s seen men do terrible things,” explains actress Leven Rambin, who plays her. “She sees him as a pillar of…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp............ Amanda Mealing Gemma Dean........................ Rebecca Ryan Iain Dean....................... Michael Stevenson Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin................... Cathy Shipton Charlie Fairhead................. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia............................ Tony Marshall Elle Gardner............................. Jaye Griffiths Ethan Hardy...................... George Rainsford David Hide.................................. Jason Durr Dylan Keogh............................ William Beck Bea Kinsella............................. Michelle Fox Jacob Masters......................... Charles Venn Rash Masum............................. Neet Mohan Robyn Miller.................. Amanda Henderson Alicia Munroe.................. Chelsea Halfpenny Sam Nicholls........................... Charlotte Salt Louise Tyler............................. Azuka Oforka CORONATION STREET Dev Alahan....................... Jimmi Harkishin Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Angie Appleton................. Victoria Ekanoye Jude Appleton..................... Paddy Wallace Izzy Armstrong................ Cherylee Houston Adam Barlow...................... Sam Robertson Amy Barlow.......................... Elle Mulvaney Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Tracy Barlow............................... Kate Ford Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby................... Georgia Taylor Chesney Brown......................... Sam Aston Mary Cole...................................…

BULLSEYE! You can take the girl out of Walford, but you’ll never take Walford out of the girl… Having Jessie Wallace back on full gas, giving nothing less than her trademark powerhouse performance, has provided EastEnders with the vital spark it’s been missing. Long live Kat Slater – and long may Albert Square rise to meet her! We remember Sally’s ‘posh wallpaper’ storyline from back in 1977, when snooty Annie Walker thought she’d bought expensive monogrammed carpet – but it turned out to be an offcut from the Alhambra Weatherfield Bingo. Hollyoaks’ Luke and Mandy got married in Florida this week. At Photoshop Cove, overlooking Greenscreen Bay, by the looks of it. Sad Bernice makes us sad. She’s usually the only person in an episode…

FAMILY AFFAIR Steve was never fond of the Mitchell clan, starting a feud with Phil’s brother Grant. But it wasn’t until Phil slept with Steve’s fiancée Mel – and Steve later found out about it – that things turned really nasty. TAKING AIM Steve was a suspect in the case of ‘Who Shot Phil?’ as he had motive and access to a gun. When Mel was later kidnapped, Phil saved her – before she set light to E20 after being told of Steve’s antics. SQUARING UP Phil and Steve’s rift deepened when he told the Mitchell hard man that he and Sharon had a fling while they were together. Phil attacked Steve, who had him done for assault – and set about seducing Phil’s sister Sam in revenge. FIERY TEMPERS…

It sounds as though Kat and Alfie will be forced to confront their marriage troubles face to face, with the news that Shane Richie is returning to EastEnders ! Reports suggest the star – who has made no secret of his desire to head home to Walford – will return to the set within weeks to begin filming again… “My wife wants me to get back to work,” confessed Shane in a recent interview. “She’s desperate for me to do EastEnders, so I will. I’ve had two years off and I think that was enough for me. I’m ready to go back if they’ll have me. It’s the best gig on TV.” When Kat landed back in Albert Square, she admitted to Stacey that she and Alfie…

“What’s the betting that Eva wants to hang on to her baby after she gives birth, and that Toyah is going to lose any lingering grip she has on reality? Mark my words – they’ll find her up on the factory roof with that baby!” …reckons reader Cheryl “Instead of dull old Alfie Moon coming back to EastEnders for the umpteenth time, how about giving Kat a new man in her life? Max Branning is at a bit of a loose end at the moment – and he’s got form when it comes to the Slater women!” …teases reader Chrissy from Edinburgh “There’s not enough oldies in Emmerdale now. I think they should bring some famous faces back to TV. My choice…

FAIR CITY Carrigstown is still reeling this week, after shock recent events. And it’s clear that life will never be the same again… There’s drama elsewhere as Kerri-Ann hopes that she and Decco will reunite, but she’s in for a rude awakening. Plus, Mariam kick-starts an elaborate scheme… RIVER CITY Gabriel gets more than he bargains for this week – when he piles on the charm for Angus’ cousin, Lou! Meanwhile, Scarlett reaches out to her son, but Theresa wants Bob to turn his back on his mum. Also, Annie is forced to take drastic action to save her family. THE ARCHERS Tensions are rising at Grange Farm this week, as Emma finds herself at the end of her tether. Can she devise a way to cope? Across the village,…

There’s humiliation in store for Priya this week – as she’s forced to dress up as a chicken in a desperate bid to find a new career! Having fallen fowl of her family when they accused her of hurting her young niece Eliza, the one-time factory boss is determined to prove that she doesn’t need them. But after another incident with Eliza sees Megan and Jai dashing to the hospital once more, it seems the facts about the little one’s injuries are set to be revealed. What will they make of the truth? And what will it mean for Priya’s future in the family? We sat down with actress Fiona Wade, who plays Priya, for a chat about her character’s predicament… Poor Priya – she’s really going through the mill!…

Richard and other Hollyoaks cast members made a memorable visit to Parliament in January to promote mental health issues. “Ross Adams [Scott], Lauren McQueen [Lily] and I represented the show because of our mental health storylines,” recalls the actor. “You’ve had Ross’ depression-suicide attempt, Lauren’s self-harm and my upcoming story, which at that point I wasn’t allowed to talk about! There were mental health and media organisations there to discuss the issues with MPs, too. “Afterwards we got a tour from Luciana Berger, our local MP at Hollyoaks. It was incredible. The Houses of Parliament are so big – you can tell they’ve been designed to evoke awe in people!”…

David Platt’s life has been changed forever by the rape he suffered at the hands of evil Josh. He’s devastated by what happened, and like many victims of rape feels unable to tell his loved ones that he was attacked. Instead, David has internalised his pain and is full of rage, lashing out at those who love him most. For his worried girlfriend Shona it’s a terrible time – and as her real-life alter ego Julia Goulding explains, it’s mostly because she thinks David has simply fallen out of love with her… “David has become very distant with Shona – he’s snappy, angry and short-tempered,” says the star. “He’s not engaging with anything, but she’s focusing on him not engaging with her. She doesn’t see the bigger picture and that…

Some brave soapies indulged their need for speed as they attended the launch of the brand-new roller coaster at Alton Towers: The Wicker Man. Braving the diabolic ride were the Street’s Lucy Fallon (Bethany) and Mikey North (Gary) – who was accompanied by his wife Rachael – alongside fearless EastEnder Tamzin Outhwaite (Mel). Also joining the party was former Holby City star (and current Strictly Come Dancing champ) Joe McFadden, aka Raf. Judging by the looks on his and Lucy’s faces, a thoroughly terrifying night was had by all! BUSMAN’S HOLIDAY! She’s no stranger to pulling a pint or two in the Rovers, so it was business as usual for Tina O’Brien (Sarah) as she presided over the reopening of her local pub – The Woodstock Arms in West Didsbury,…

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YOU MIGHT HAVE BREEZED past this series assuming it was just another beautiful American teen drama – and it’s true, the whole cast is absurdly good-looking – but look beneath the dazzling smiles and the endless pop-culture references and you’ll discover an engrossing noir thriller. Everyone in Riverdale is guarding a secret, so the unsolved murder of high schooler Jason Blossom is making them all seem shifty! Emotions run high this week, as it’s Jason’s funeral, and his twin sister Cheryl is struggling to cope – while Betty learns why her family were on the outs with the Blossoms……

Any X Factor viewer knows a tone-deaf singer on a talent show is no rare sight. But on Change Your Tune , that’s the whole point: the contestants on this show are aware they can’t sing, but have signed up in the hope of learning how to improve their voice... “It’s not about finding a superstar, it’s about people who’ve always wanted to get up and sing and giving them that moment,” says Baz Ashmawy, who hosts the show. “It has a little bit of that ‘Tonight, Matthew…’ feel about it!” After giving a performance to prove just how disastrous their singing is, the contestants are given an intensive course with a coach before coming back to sing again – and the most-improved…

MUM’S THE WORD Anna Maxwell Martin and Vicky McClure are to star in Mother’s Day, a BBC2 factual drama about the 1993 Warrington bombing. They play Wendy Parry and Susan McHugh, two mums who campaign for peace. NUCLEAR FALLOUT Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson and Jared Harris will star in new Sky Atlantic drama Chernobyl. The five-part miniseries will tell the story of the disastrous nuclear accident, and the people who fought valiantly to uncover the truth. BE ON TV A brand-new series about love, sex and relationships for a major UK broadcaster is looking for couples. If you’d like the chance to participate, email relationship casting@stv.tv…

HELEN FLANAGAN (Rosie Webster, Corrie) OUT Sally will be waving goodbye to eldest daughter Rosie this summer, when actress Helen heads off on maternity leave – as she prepares for the birth of her second child with footballer Scott Sinclair. However, she has yet to confirm when she’ll be coming back to the cobbles. “I’m not sure,” she says. “I want to spend time with my new baby, but I love my job. They’ve looked after me – Corrie is a lovely place to work.” Summer GARY LUCY (Luke Morgan, Hollyoaks ) OUT  Will the eventual fallout from Darren and Mandy’s affair see an explosive exit for Luke? Well, it seems inevitable following the news that Gary is to bow out of the soap to…

Corrie boss Kate Oates recently hinted that there could be even more anxiety ahead for troubled Craig, after a newcomer arrives on the cobbles… “We have someone called Kayla,” explained the series producer, while chatting about the newly extended Victoria Street set. “She’s working at [new restaurant] Speed Daal – and she’s going to create problems for Bethany and Craig.” Whatever can it mean? Craig has long held a torch for Bethany, and all of his recent actions have been motivated by the fact that she is clearly the most important woman in his life. But could newcomer Kayla – who’s set to be played by actress Mollie Winnard – supplant Bethany in the young special constable’s affections?…

Supposed psychic Rosemary is currently spooking Gail and Audrey with tales of their dead ex-husbands, but there is one former flame who romanced both mother and daughter and is very much alive – and he’s on his way back to Weatherfield to cause the pair more drama! It’s reported that con man Lewis Archer – played by Nigel Havers – will reappear on the cobbles, after two previous stints saw him dupe both Audrey and Gail. “I do owe Gail 40 grand and, as an honourable man, I’d like to pay that back!” joked Nigel, in an interview for Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. “It was wonderful doing the show.” However, Lewis isn’t the only blast from the past that Audrey will have to contend with. Salon owner Claudia Colby was…

While Laurel is sneaking about with Bob, Harriet tells her that Ashley’s headstone is about to be delivered to the village. It’s an emotional moment for Laurel who, despite her burgeoning relationship with Bob, still misses her dearly departed husband. Now more than ever she’s likely to be craving the support of someone as close to her as Bob currently is – but when the village gathers to once again remember its beloved vicar as his headstone is installed, it’s unclear if he’ll be able to reach out to her. With Brenda watching Laurel’s every move, will she be forced to endure her sorrow alone?…

“Auntie Kat, well… She’s going to be coming here soon, but not like that. You know Arthur’s robot that he loves? You know when he runs out of batteries, he stops moving and all his lights go off? Well, Auntie Kat… She’s stopped moving and all her lights aren’t working any more.” It’s a beautiful metaphor. Happily, Kat is anything but inanimate – and, especially in that new bra, her lights are on full beam. “Megan’s coming over. She’s had a tip-off about Meghan Markle’s frock and reckons she can get me a dead ringer. She’s got insider knowledge into Prince Harry’s pants as well.” We really don’t want to think about Bob Hope getting into Prince Harry’s pants. “As a reward for your virtue, a little trip: yacht shopping…

It’s all change at the top at Holby… Plucky Abi is old friends with Serena, but she soon ruffles a few feathers when Ric returns to work following his acquittal, and is informed that he is on restricted duties. However, as Ric oversteps his boundaries while treating a patient, does he risk violating Abigail’s terms? Meanwhile, Fletch continues to struggle without Jac – and accuses Abi of compromising a patient to put herself on the map. As Abi sternly defends her position, will she have a staff revolt to deal with on her first day? It’s the dawn of a new era for the team at Holby City Hospital this week, as Hanssen steps down from the role of CEO, and his replacement Abigail Tate takes the reins.…

Tegan finally comes round from her coma this week – but will she reveal the truth about Ryan? Tegan’s medication has been reduced in a bid to wake her, and Leela is overjoyed as her sister moves her finger. However, there’s another blow when medics reveal she has a level of brain damage, leaving Leela inconsolable. While Tegan’s loved ones are anxious to learn the state she’s in, will she remember that Ryan was the one who left her in this condition?…

PUBLIC ENEMY NO 1 Weatherfield newcomer Josh Tucker is a proper laugh, one of the lads – everyone’s best friend. But not to us viewers, because we know the terrible truth about what he did to David Platt… It’s a horrific storyline, and I can understand why there have been so many complaints about it – but it’s so important for soaps to cover issues like this. If you featured male rape in 9pm drama on BBC1 or ITV, then that’s all very well, but characters in a new drama series are effectively strangers. Characters in a soap are people we know well – we’ve known David Platt since he was born – and it helps to show that terrible things like this can also happen to our friends and…

There were squeals of excitement up and down Inside Soap Towers when we heard the news that Plain Jane Superbrain was on her way back to Neighbours after nearly 30 years. As Charlene’s best friend, she was one of our favourite characters from the show’s 80s heyday – not to mention the fact that she’s the granddaughter of the legendary Mrs Mangel! It seems that sweet-natured Jane has changed a little since we last met her, though – and according to Annie Jones, who reprises her classic role this week, Jane has begun to morph into her fearsome nan… How did your return to Neighbours come about, Annie? I was just craving working solidly – I’ve done a…

His break-up with Shona is sadly the least of David’s worries this week, as wicked Josh continues to torment him. Standing by his twisted fabrication that what happened to David was consensual, Josh corners his victim in the Rovers backyard and confronts him about his split from Shona – and has the nerve to order him to pull himself together! As David reels from Josh’s relentless efforts to intimidate him, will his rapist’s brazen denial of the truth finally cause David to snap? Or will bully boy Josh succeed in shaming his broken victim into maintaining his silence?…

During a successful career spanning six decades, actor Ken Farrington has scored a hat-trick of soap roles. Prior to stops in Emmerdale village and Family Affairs’ Charnham, the 81-year-old veteran had a recurring role in Corrie lasting a quarter of a century. With a wealth of acting experience behind him, Ken has plenty to share, and recently published his memoirs, Hush My Mouth – in which he doesn’t mince his words… “It’s sure to upset a few people,” he confesses. “I’ve worked to the ripe old age that I have so I can tell my story without worrying about who I offend! That’s where the title of the book came from. I wanted to get a few things off my chest, but hope I haven’t been vindictive.” Having made his…

BAD EYRE DAY Soap break-ups don’t come any crueller than when Lauren Branning dumped Josh Hemmings without so much as a single word, so naturally ex-EastEnder Eddie Eyre feels sorry for his former alter ego. “As a fan of Josh and Lauren, I’m just devastated – how dare she, after all that!” jokes the actor, who is due to tread the boards at the Southwark Playhouse in the stage show The Country Wife. “Josh gave up everything for her and then she left him – awful!” SHE’S THE ONE THAT WE WANT! Ex-Neighbours star Delta Goodrem (Nina Tucker) is playing Aussie musical superstar Olivia Newton-John in a two-part TV movie of the singer’s life – which will see Delta recreate iconic scenes from Grease and Xanadu, plus the famous clip…