Inside Soap UK 34 - 2020

There’s a sad moment in this week’s Emmerdale, when we discover that Annie Sugden has passed away. Annie was the original matriarch of Emmerdale (or Emmerdale Farm as it was back then, for those of you, like myself, of a more mature vintage), so this really is the end of an era. “Annie was the Dales’ original matriarch!” I often think there are certain soap characters who should live on forever, somewhere off screen – I like to believe Corrie’s Hilda is still brandishing a mop and singing away somewhere in Derbyshire – but in Annie’s case, it’s a little different. While she hasn’t been a regular in the show since the 90s, Annie has always been a presence, often referred to and visited by her family who still live…

Peter rides to Abi’s rescue this week, after his ex-girlfriend’s drug addiction returns with a vengeance – and the desperate woman is poised to pump herself full of morphine, having swiped it from Weatherfield General! Fortunately, Peter catches Abi in the act and tries to stop her from making a grave mistake. However, while secretly trying to save old flame Abi from herself, he puts his current relationship on the line by lying to Carla about it… “Peter and Abi have been split up for a long time, and are both now in solid partnerships,” points out our Corrie insider. “However, only recovering addicts understand each other in the way that Peter and Abi do, so of course he’s drawn to help her. That’s not down to the fact that…

Peter and Abi set sail for romance at the beginning of 2019, as she helped him fix up an old boat that he planned to sail around the world. The spark between the recovering addicts was instant, as they shared some cosy nightcaps below deck. However, Peter soon found himself drifting into unchartered waters after Abi made it clear that she’d fallen for him hook, line and sinker – offering to accompany him on his travels and be his first mate. Abi’s heart sank, though, when Peter later poured cold water on the idea, spelling the end of their fling. Worse, he accused her of setting fire to his ship in revenge – a blaze that was actually perpetrated by Roy while he was sleepwalking. Harsh!…

It’s not just Peter who’s watching Abi’s every move this week, as she comes under intense scrutiny from Debbie Webster! Kevin’s sister is back in town – as actress Sue Devaney reprises the role of Debbie – and there is certainly no love lost between her and Abi following their strained first meeting last year… Welcome back, Sue! What does Debbie make of Abi as they clash again this week? I think that if Kevin is happy, Debbie’s happy – but she doesn’t want him to make a fool of himself again. I don’t think Debbie dislikes Abi, although she doesn’t reckon that she is very sincere. Will Debbie intervene if she thinks Abi’s behaviour is putting Kevin and Jack at risk? Absolutely! If Abi crosses Kevin, Debbie will say,…

Sly Paul manages to get Mandy on a romantic dinner date this week, by scheming with son Vinny. Mandy reluctantly agrees to join forces with Paul to help Vinny woo his crush Liv, and sets up a nice date at the Dingle homestead. However, Paul is actually using Vinny’s relationship predicament to get closer to Mandy… “Paul’s mad for Mandy – there’s a massive connection between them,” enthuses Reece Dinsdale, who plays him. “When Vinny tells him about his affection for Liv, Paul thinks they can scratch each other’s backs with the girls, because he has a plan. But his intentions are good!” When Liv fails to show up to the ‘date’, Mandy is talked into sharing the meal with Paul instead. Sparks fly as they bicker and flirt –…

Bradley Johnson (Vinny) reckons that his character and the object of his desire, Liv, would be a great match – if only his mum would back off! “I want them to go on a date without Mandy breathing down their necks!” he laughs. “She needs to give them a chance together. They are well-matched because they both have older role models in Mandy and Aaron. Liv is wise and sensible, which is attractive to Vinny because being around Mandy made him mature too. It’s a perfect match!” Meanwhile, Bradley is all for Mandy and Paul getting back together… “I’d like us to be a family and move into Pollard’s place,” he laughs. “That barn looks like a massive party palace. I know Vinny hopes they can become a perfect family…