Inside Soap UK 4 - 2022

“It’s hard to imagine what they’ll spring on us next” Emmerdale celebrates its 50th glorious year with a promise of thrills and spills aplenty. Given that they recently brought us the most dramatic scene on a rope bridge since Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, it’s hard to imagine what they’ll spring on us next. Having myself recently celebrated a birthday not entirely dissimilar to the one about to be enjoyed by Emmerdale, I know that such high drama is a far cry from the show’s humble origins. It still reminds me – in the warmest way –of sick days from primary school; eating syrup sandwiches while mum worked through the ironing to a backdrop of Emmerdale Farm, The Cedar Tree and Paint Along With Nancy. Back then, a…

Emmerdale could be set to witness a Valentine’s Day massacre – as serial killer Meena vows to wreak havoc on Billy and Dawn’s wedding day! The village is still in shock this week, following the revelation that Meena was behind the deaths of Leanna, Andrea and Ben – and that she attempted to add Vinny and sister Manpreet to her body count. However, as Meena’s ex Billy and his fiancé Dawn try to put the nightmare behind them by setting the date for their nuptials, Meena is still at large and cooking up the ultimate revenge… “Dawn and Billy’s wedding is set to play out on the most romantic day of the year,” grins Emmerdale’s executive producer, Jane Hudson. “Is it going to be happy-ever-after, or will disaster strike? I…

While your traditional soap serial killer plots tend to play out over a matter of years, Meena has racked up a trio of murders and attempted another three – all in the space of six months! Yet the conclusion is just around the corner, promises Dales chief Jane… “Judgement Day for Meena is coming,” she grins. “There are still some more twists and turns to be had – and some you won’t see coming – but I think we’re all agreed that Meena can do pretty much anything. The story won’t play out quite as you expect, and it will have a lasting effect on quite a few of our villagers. Within the next few months, Meena will get what’s coming to her!”…

Shock waves reverberate around the cobbles this week, when runaway Joseph’s dad Chesney and grandma Bernie are taken in for questioning by the police. After bombshell new evidence comes to light, officers receive intel that the youngster’s disappearance was a moneymaking scheme. It’s a nightmare come true for innocent Ches – especially when mortified Bernie is forced to admit that she’s been hiding the truth… “Joseph going missing was the worst moment of Ches’ life – he was frantic,” whispers our Street insider. “When Bernie breaks down and confesses that she’s split the reward money with her dodgy mate Clint and has been paying for stuff, he’s absolutely raging. He’s under suspicion because Bernie is a money-grabbing liar. It’s despicable!” What Chesney doesn’t realise is that Bernie didn’t orchestrate the…

Smitten Dev decides to go public with Bernie this week – telling their family and friends that they are officially a couple. His PDA comes just after Bernie is hurt as he tries to play down their relationship to a reporter. But having seen sense, Dev chooses to make a gesture to show Bernie that he’s serious about her. Can they make a go of it? “Dev has fought his attraction to Bernie every step of the way, but there’s no denying their chemistry,” argues our insider. “They are attracted to each other, and they have a lot of fun together. Dev just needed to get over himself and realise that Bernie could be the best thing that’s happened to him in ages.” The Alahans and the Winter-Browns gather at…

Wicked Gray plays on Chelsea’s fears for their sick son Jordan this week – and uses it to tighten his grip on her! Poor Chelsea has been understandably distraught since her son’s premature birth, and as a result has been prescribed anti-depressants by her doctor. This means that she can’t breastfeed Jordan, leaving Gray fuming. So, he cunningly plays on his wife’s emotions in order to make sure he gets her exactly where he wants her… “Chelsea herself is terribly upset that she’s not able to breastfeed her son, but as her mum points out, she needs to put herself first right now,” explains our Square spy. “Gray’s not having it, though! At first, he pretends to be supportive; but then he starts needling at Chelsea, making her believe that…