Inside Soap UK 50 - 2019

It’s begining to feel a lot like Christmas – well, it certainly is in the Inside Soap office! We’ve decorated our walls with soap Chrimbo pics of old (my favourite is a 60s scene in the Rovers – classic!). The festive tunes are on, and we’re all geared up for the most wonderful time of the year. “We’ve decorated our walls with soap Chrimbo pics!” This week, all the soaps are putting the pieces in place for their blockbuster plots, while we’ve been making a guide to soapie gifts for Christmas, and caught up with a Corrie classic – Thelma Barlow, aka Mavis Wilton – who shared tales of Street festivities of the past. But we’ve been extra-busy, because we’re also putting the finishing touches to our huge Christmas double…

Jack Branning seems doomed to pay the ultimate price for Sharon’s affair with Keanu, as Phil arms himself with a gun this week – and takes Jack prisoner! Having convinced himself that the copper is the secret dad of his wife’s baby, Phil goes to extreme lengths to prove that he’s not a man to mess with. Is this the end for Jack? “Phil’s mind is made up, and it’ll take nothing short of a miracle for Jack to convince him otherwise,” despairs our Square spy. “He’s seen Sharon sharing the odd cosy chat with her ex-fiancé, put two and two together, and concluded Jack must be the father. It’s not as if Phil has considered his future son-in-law as the culprit!” Phil refuses to be swayed in his quest…

Phil is no stranger to a life of crime, and his real-life alter ego Steve McFadden admits that he could be tempted down a similar path – if it wasn’t for his job on EastEnders! Members of the public had the chance to quiz the star recently when he appeared at Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre in Birmingham to switch on the Christmas lights, where he amused the crowd with one particular answer to their questions… “In all seriousness, I would probably be a bank robber!” quipped Steve, when asked what he’d be doing if he wasn’t acting in the BBC soap. We think Phil would approve!…

There’s an awful shock in store for Roy this week, as his brother Richard falls and dies while alone – after Roy had promised to be by his side. At the start of the week, the recently reunited siblings enjoy listening to a Weatherfield footy match on the radio together, and Roy promises Richard’s daughter Nina that he’ll wait in with Richard the next day, when his new carer is due to arrive. Nina heads off to college, reassured in the knowledge that her dad is in safe hands. However, after a panicked call from Aggy, during which she reports a leaking freezer at the café, Roy has to leave Richard on his own – and when his new carer fails to show, a tragic series of events unfolds… “This…

Newcomer Mollie Gallagher (Nina) has spoken of her delight at her role on the cobbles. And while Nina’s not keen on being in her newly discovered Uncle Roy’s life right now, Mollie reckons he shouldn’t give up on her just yet… “Nina’s a very interesting character, and a bit of an outsider,” she shares. “While she’s reluctant to let Roy into her life, she soon realises they have more in common than she thought.” Meanwhile, Mollie can’t wait to be sharing plenty more scenes with David Neilson, who plays Roy. “I’m thrilled to be at Corrie!” she beams. “I grew up watching the show, and it’s surreal to be on the set working with incredible actors like David and Alison King [Carla].”…

Tortured Aaron reaches breaking point this week – and his loved ones are beside themselves when he disappears. However, after Aaron’s concerned family splits up to look for him, his sister Liv ends up getting into trouble of her own, when she has a seizure! As Liv collapses by the water’s edge, will anyone find her before it’s too late? “Liv’s terribly worried about her brother, as she knows Aaron’s state of mind hasn’t been good recently,” claims our Dales insider. “She’s desperate to find him, and while she’s retracing his steps and crossing the footbridge out of the village, something in the water catches her eye. “Liv’s terribly worried about her brother’s state of mind” “It’s as she moves closer to the stream to pick up the item that…