Inside Soap UK 44 - 2022

Blimey. Well, that was my first time hosting the Inside Soap Awards. Totally terrifying, but I survived – and it was a real privilege to present trophies to so many worthy winners. And I can assure you they are all as charming and modest in real life as I hope they come across in their interviews; especially that Marlon Dingle – always my mum’s fave! “Marlon was always my mum’s favourite!” All our guests make an effort for the big night, but perhaps none more so this year than Corrie’s Dame Maureen, who commissioned a unique jacket printed from her own iPad artwork. Talk about multi-talented! For a closer look, head to p41, where we kick-off our first batch of features, with more to come – including a Lacey Turner…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines Hot THIS WEEK! ITV MONDAY Prepare for bloodshed in the Dales this week, as Cain finds out about Al’s affair with Chas – and goes after him with a gun! Furious that Al has had the audacity to wreck his sister’s marriage, Cain kidnaps the love rat and holds him at gunpoint. It’s clear the Dingle hardman means business – but when there’s a tussle for the weapon, shots are fired… “Cain warns Al not to turn his back on him, or he’ll use the gun!” reveals Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain. “Al’s quite a cool customer – he probably thinks Cain isn’t going to use it. But things get very messy!” “Al thinks Cain won’t use the gun…” AFFAIR REVEALED The drama kicks…

Aaron packs his bags and bids farewell to Emmerdale this week – but not before telling mum Chas that he wants nothing more to do with her! It’s been a heartbreaking few weeks for poor Aaron, following his sister Liv’s devastating death after she was crushed by a caravan during the storm. And with Liv now laid to rest, there’s nothing more keeping Aaron in the village… “Having to say goodbye to his little sister is the most painful thing Aaron’s ever had to do,” reveals our Dales insider. “He was by her side during her final moments, desperately trying to keep it together, knowing full well that Liv wasn’t going to make it. Now the village holds too many painful memories – and Aaron wants to get as far…

Furious Tyrone stuns Nick with a punch in the face this week, during a row over Hope! Tempers flare when another incident with Fiz and Ty’s wayward daughter prompts Nick to ban Sam from being her friend. He’s reacting to the latest drama with Hope, who is being bullied at school over the Gazette’s John Stape articles. After days of stress and worry, Ty can take no more and – on hearing about Nick’s ban – he marches over to Victoria Court. “Tyrone loses his rag when he hears Sam has been told to stay away from Hope – he’s her only friend,” explains Alan Halsall, who plays him. “He is scared about how this [John Stape] situation is unravelling, and he’s unsure what to do or how to behave.…

ITV WEDNESDAY Hi Alan, can you believe John Stape is back in Fiz and Ty’s lives? When I first heard about it, I thought, ‘John Stape is dead!’ because we didn’t know how it would work. But the great thing about this show is there’s so much history, we can come back to things [like John Stape] which impact Fiz and Ty’s lives years later. It’s an incredible part of why Corrie is so great. Are you glad they haven’t settled into a quiet life now that they are back together? We live in this world where we think everyone’s lives are perfect because of what we see on social media – so it’s nice to show the other side of that. There’s a long history of love between Fiz…

Suki’s worst nightmare comes true this week, after the police arrive with news that Ranveer’s body has been found! Suki believes she killed Ranveer in self-defence, when actually it was Ravi who delivered the fatal blow. Can the steely matriarch hold her nerve after she’s hauled in for a grilling? Meanwhile, conspirators Ravi and Nina plot to ensure neither of them ends up in handcuffs – which could see Suki take the rap for their crime… “Suki behaves as if she’s made of Teflon – but fronting out a murder probe is going to test her mettle,” explains our Walford insider. “Suki’s mental health has suffered tremendously since Ravi coerced her into covering up Ranveer’s death, and without secret lover Eve for support, Suki would have cracked up. She’s had…