Inside Soap UK 2 - 2018

Poor little Abi Branning. She spent her whole life in the shadow of her drama-queen sister, Lauren – always picking up the pieces after her latest trauma. All Abi ever really wanted was a nice boyfriend and to help cute animals, but her family (Max and Tanya were no better than Lauren, if we’re honest) left her a damaged young lady. So, there’s something bleakly inevitable about the fact that Abi ended her life reaching out to try and help her sister, only for Lauren to pull her to her death. Meanwhile, Lauren recovered in what felt like five minutes. This week, doctors prepare to turn off Abi’s life-support machine – but as she breathes her last, don’t be surprised if Lauren suddenly lets out a squeal and faints, or…

Noah and Samson find themselves in deadly danger this week – as bulldozers begin work on demolishing Wishing Well with the pair still inside! While the Dingles are being wined, dined and distracted by ruthless nemesis Joe, the clan’s homestead is being reduced to rubble – with all concerned oblivious to the fact that Noah and Samson have secretly snuck back into the cottage… “The kids could be killed!” reveals Jane Cox, who plays Lisa. “Zak and Lisa have no idea that anything is going on until they get back from the party at Home Farm. They are devastated when they see what’s happened.” From the moment they found out their family seat was in line to be demolished to make way for a road to a new golf course,…

How is Debbie coping after discovering Joe’s true identity? She will be in shock for a long time. She just can’t take it in. Her initial reaction is obviously an outburst of pure hatred for Joe, but then she goes a little bit quiet. She does sink in on herself for a while, and goes back and forward with her emotions. What does Debbie understand of why Joe has targeted her as part of his revenge? In Joe’s own words, he’s gone for Debbie as she’s something that Charity cares about. And he thinks Charity killed his dad, so that’s why he’s back in the village, and why he hates Charity so much. But he’s ruined Debbie’s life in the process! What was it like to film the scenes where…

The day that the Branning family has been dreading arrives this week, as Abi’s doctors prepare to switch off her life-support machine. For her loved ones, the moment has been inevitable since they learned that Abi was brainstem dead, and that she’s only being kept alive by a ventilator. However, as Abi’s devastated father Max refuses to accept that nothing more can be done for her, he goes to dire lengths to stop medics from pulling the plug… “Max is clinging on to hope that Abi might still recover,” sighs our Walford insider. “Her consultants have conducted numerous tests and come to the same conclusion every time, yet Max has convinced himself that she is still showing signs of life. He’s not prepared to let Abi go without a fight.”…

The reappearance of Tanya at Christmas was one of Walford’s best-kept secrets, with star Jo Joyner agreeing to reprise the role very briefly. Due to the actress’ busy work schedule, EastEnders only had a limited amount of time with her, hence why Tanya has been noticeably absent for many of Lauren and Abi’s hospital scenes. However, with Abi destined to lose her life, might we see Tanya again for her daughter’s final goodbye? Jo explains why the decision to return was such an easy one… “When I heard the girls might be leaving, I felt like I should be there for them,” shares the star. “I’ve watched Lorna [Fitzgerald, aka Abi] grow from a little 10-year-old sweetie into a talented young woman, and Jacqueline Jossa [Lauren] has been such a…

Dumbstruck Eva gets a life-changing surprise this week, when she discovers that she’s fallen pregnant! After the run-down barmaid has a casual chat with Shona about her recent illness, Shona takes it upon herself to Google Eva’s symptoms – and all signs point to Eva being up the duff. And having faked a pregnancy in 2017, Eva can’t believe it as she finds out she really will be giving birth later this year… “Twelve months ago she’d have given anything to settle down and have babies, but after all that’s gone on, this is the worst thing that could have happened!” gasps Catherine Tyldesley, who plays poor Eva. “She just thinks she’s tired and coming down with something, so it’s a massive shock.” After a positive pregnancy test, Eva is…