Inside Soap UK 8 - 2016

What lady in her right mind could resist him? He’s the king of the corner shop, the owner of the open-neck shirt and the chief of the charming chat. Yes, of course, we’re talking about Devendra “Oh, call me Dev… please” Alahan. We tried to alert Erica that she was heading for trouble when Dev first started making eyes at her. (Well, I did. Am I the only one who talks to the telly? Really?) Sadly, Erica didn’t listen. So this week, as the pair lock lips for the first time, we’ve decided that drastic action is called for. Sadly, we couldn’t take out an ad in the Weatherfield Gazette to warn her off (we tried, but the number kept coming up as ‘unattainable’ when we rang for some reason),…

“WHEN SAM EVENTUALLY FINDS MEGAN, SHE’S IN A LOT OF PAIN” There’s double drama in the woods this week, as frightened Megan goes into labour – and her saviour Sam is shot as he tries to get help! It’s an intense conversation about their relationship that leads upset Sam to storm off into the wilds, with worried Megan in pursuit. But she’s soon regretting her decision when she loses her way. Sam eventually hears her screams, and when she tells him the baby is coming, he rushes off to fetch a phone from the car. Tragedy strikes, however, when Joanie – who is being taught to shoot by Zak – accidentally hits Sam! “Megan is petrified,” shares Gaynor Faye, who plays Megan. “It quickly goes from day to night, and…

As a seasoned actress, Gaynor has played out birth scenes several times, and admits that the biggest shock about this one was that she was doing it at all! “Do you know what, I never thought I’d be doing any more on-screen labour – you kind of get to an age, don’t you?” laughs the 44-year-old actress. “I gave birth in Coronation Street to twins – I’ve given birth in a few shows that I’ve done, and on stage twice. It is quite a strange thing to be there with your legs spread in front of a camera crew. “Because of the way we film on Emmerdale, all of the scenes were done out of order,” adds Gaynor. “So I kept going back and forth between the woods and the…

“RONNIE REALLY WANTS TO GET BACK TOGETHER WITH JACK BUT SHE’S SCARED” It may be Honey’s birthday, but it’s Ronnie who gets the biggest gift – when her ex-husband Jack turns up at the party. Kindly Honey is moving in with Billy, and is worried about Ronnie being lonely after she’s gone. Having Honey around has been a good thing for Ronnie, who’s become introverted and icy over the past few months. So will a reunion with Jack be just the thing to warm her cold heart? “There are worse surprises a girl can get!” laughs our Walford insider. “Sparks flew between Jack and Ronnie when he returned recently, and there’s unfinished business. But things have always been complicated between those two, and you never know how it will play…

Whatever Ronnie decides, there’s another relationship on the table for Jack – with the delectable Mick Carter! The last time he was in town, Jack got an unexpected snog off Mick, who was on his stag night – and actor Danny Dyer has confirmed that this is one kiss that will definitely lead somewhere special. “I got to snog Scott Maslen, which was a beautiful thing,” enthuses the star. “It’s the start of a blossoming friendship, and what a way to start it! It can only go upwards from here. Some of the stuff I’ve got coming up with Scott is great, and I’m really looking forward to it. Jack and Mick are going to become great friends!”…

“LOBBING THE CAKE AT THE WALL JUST PROVES BETHANY IS OUT OF CONTROL!” There’s mayhem in the Platt household this week, when Bethany lets rip at pregnant mum Sarah and wrecks her baby shower! Sarah is horrified to discover that her wayward daughter has been bunking off school for weeks, and hiding the letters her worried teachers have been sending home. It’s at Bethany’s parents’ evening that Sarah finally discovers the truth about her absence, and demands an explanation. But will Bethany let Sarah in on her bullying torment? “Everyone sees Bethany as a typical nightmare teenager, but this time she’s a victim,” sighs our Corrie source. “Things are terrible for her at school, and she doesn’t know how to cope with what’s happening. All the bullying, coupled with the…