Inside Soap UK 52 - 2016

A year is a long time in soap, with most characters packing in about 12 years’ worth of ordinary people’s dramas into just 12 very busy months! I always find New Year in soap an exciting period, pondering on where all our favourite characters will be in another year’s time. My predictions are always rubbish – hence why I write about the soaps rather than actually writing the soaps themselves! I’d never have guessed that by the end of 2016, Denise from EastEnders would be up the stick by Phil Mitchell, or that slimy builder from Corrie who made Anna’s life hell would be back – and the best character in the show. However, somehow the soaps always find new ways to surprise us. We have our gossip-packed Inside Soap…

Ronnie and Jack’s dream wedding finally arrives this week – and no expense is spared as the pair prepare to celebrate their big day in spectacular style! Blushing bride Ronnie is a vision in white as she emerges from No 27 in a gorgeous lace gown, ready to make her way to a lavish hotel venue with bridesmaid Roxy. It’s truly a breathtaking sight to behold as the siblings take to the wheel of their surprise wedding transport – a snazzy red sports car courtesy of Ronnie’s cousin, Phil. Meanwhile, a Routemaster London bus is laid on by the happy couple to ferry their excited guests to the ceremony, setting the stage for what Ronnie and Jack hope will be the best day of their lives. However, as wayward Roxy…

“SAM AND I DID OUR FINAL SCENES, GOT BACK INTO BED AND HAD A COUPLE OF GINS!” Might the Mitchell sisters exit with a skip in their step? It’s the Walford departure that everyone is talking about, and now the wait is finally over as we learn this week how Ronnie and Roxy bow out of Albert Square. When news of their ‘explosive’ departure first broke, the rumour mill went into overdrive as various reports emerged stating how the sisters would actually leave. However, EastEnders bosses later announced that they’d shot multiple endings in order to keep the episode a surprise until it airs on screen. Now, while the smart money is on Ronnie and Roxy meeting a tragic end (see opposite), there is cause to hope that they might…

“KERRY HAS A FEW RUN-INS WITH CAIN OVER KYLE - HE’S NASTY TO HER” This is the shocking moment drunk Kerry takes her blazing revenge on Cain – by setting fire to his caravan! The drama unfolds after the stubborn dad refuses to let Kerry see her grandson, Kyle, leaving her absolutely furious. However, it’s wicked Charity who inspires Kerry to strike back, setting off a chain of events that leaves the Dingles terrified that one of their own is inside the doomed mobile home. Has Kerry killed someone? “Charity plants the seed for Kerry to cause havoc, but it all goes a bit too far,” explains actress Laura Norton, who plays Kerry. “It’s a tatty old caravan, and Kerry’s seen Cain in the village beforehand so she’s convinced that…

If Kerry manages to make it through this latest trauma, is there still a chance for her and Dan after he so valiantly comes to her rescue? “If anything was going to bring them back together, you’d think it would be this,” muses Laura. “They still love each other to bits, but they’re just massively insecure and think that they’re not good enough for one another. I know I’d like to see them get back together, and I think that everyone else would as well!” Or, perhaps all Kerry needs in her life right now is a really good friend to lean on… “I always say that she and Tracy would get on really well, though they’d probably bring out the worst in each other!” laughs Laura. “Kerry really needs…

“EVA GOES BERSERK - AND SHE LUNGES AT HER SO-CALLED LOVE RIVAL!” The Connors fall foul of a snake in the grass this week, as devious Jenny Bradley schemes to become the queen of Underworld – and she doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process! The calculating redhead has been like the cat who got the cream ever since she sunk her claws into knicker boss Johnny. But when he announces his plans to retire, horrified Jenny resorts to desperate measures to secure her place as the factory’s First Lady… QUEEN BEE! “After being treated like public enemy number one when she returned to the Street, Jenny is loving the status that comes with being Johnny’s girlfriend,” explains our Weatherfield insider. “She has carefully manipulated him into promoting her…