Inside Soap UK 32 - 2020

“Sometimes I feel as if I’m Doctor Who” As editor of Inside Soap, sometimes I feel as if I’m Doctor Who. Not the ‘dashing around in a long scarf fighting monsters’ part – though I do enjoy the feel of knitwear next to the skin, as you can see – I mean the way that he (or she!) flits through time and history. This week, while watching Secrets From The Square on BBC1, I’ll see Tiffany Butcher-Baker (aka Maisie Smith) looking back on her life in Walford. But in EastEnders 2008 on iPlayer, she’s still just a six-year-old girl dreaming of a big future. Meanwhile, in Classic EastEnders over on Drama, Tiff’s parents Ricky – sorry, Rickaaaaay – and Bianca are going on their first dates; so Tiff is merely…

Sarah Barlow and Gary Windass look set to share a shock kiss this week – on the very day that he’s supposed to get married to fiancée Maria! There’s serious trouble between Sarah and her husband Adam, when he catches her red-handed with the evidence that links Gary to Rick Neelan’s murder. Later, after a fraught confrontation with Adam, Gary angrily marches over to the Platts’ house to find out what’s going on with Sarah. But as the intense situation plays out, it looks as though the pair are about to do the unthinkable… “There’s a fine line between love and hate!” “There’s a fine line between love and hate!” teases Tina O’Brien, who plays Sarah. “Gary understands Sarah, and he presses her buttons. She knows just how much Gary…

Do you think Sarah wants to get back with Gary? I think she’d be the first person to say she would never go back to him. They had a toxic relationship towards the end, but she truly loved Gary, so doesn’t want to betray him. How does she feel about Gary marrying Maria? Sarah’s happy for them both, although there’s a tinge of, “Oh, God, Maria doesn’t have a clue”. Plus, Sarah’s a newlywed, too, and when her life should be just beginning, it feels as if it has come crashing down! Gary killed Rick and has fessed up, yet he’s the one who has landed on his feet, while Sarah’s marriage could be over. So, I think there is a little bit of resentment towards Gary. Was it weird…

Time’s up for Harriet and Malone this week, after Dawn stumbles across their secret affair – and issues Harriet with a stern ultimatum! Will’s daughter can’t believe it when the penny finally drops, leaving guilty Harriet with lots of explaining to do… “Dawn is flabbergasted that Harriet would cheat on her dad, and with a man that has been making their lives a misery for months,” huffs our Emmerdale insider. “It’s not just the fact that Harriet has betrayed Will, either, as poor Dawn feels let down, too. The perfect family home that she thought they were building for her son Lucas has all been a lie.” Dawn learns the sickening truth after Harriet returns to the Dales following a brief spell away. Harriet’s mind is all over the shop…

The timing of Dawn learning about Harriet’s affair this week couldn’t be worse, as she and Billy make plans to move in together. The pair’s relationship has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, and they are both clearly smitten with one another. However, once Dawn learns the truth about Harriet and Malone, her focus shifts to bringing down the bent cop. Does Dawn’s future with Billy risk being a serious casualty of her vendetta?…

Romance could be on the cards for Kathy when the Walford drama returns this autumn, following the news that she’ll be on the hunt for a new fella! Actress Gillian Taylforth let slip the juicy gossip… “Kathy is going to join a dating app,” teased Gillian, who turns 65 next week. “She is older now, and has been looking after everyone else, so it’s about time she had a bit of love. Kathy needs a nice gent in her life, and who knows? She could meet the man of her dreams!” Sadly, Kathy’s previous love interests have often been the stuff of nightmares – especially when you consider that she was forced to fake her own death after getting involved with evil Gavin Sullivan. Perhaps Ian’s long-suffering mum will never…