Inside Soap UK 11 - 2020

“This week, it’s time to celebrate Neighbours!” As I may have mentioned before (and will mention again more than once over the coming year), 2020 is positively sparkling with big soap birthdays. This week, it’s time to celebrate Neighbours, as it hits 35 years of drama with an unconventional wheeze – the Lassiters’ wedding fair, which is a great excuse for couples old and new to rock up to tie the knot. Not only does this give us a big dose of nostalgia with some much-loved faces, but it also pays tribute to what must be Neighbours’ defining moment – Scott and Charlene’s wedding. Before you go thinking that they’ve decided against the deadly dramas soaps tend to pull out on these occasions, turn to p16 to see what’s lined up…

Paddy’s leisurely drive with his little girl Eve and his best pal Marlon proves catastrophic this week, when Marlon crumples over in pain and appears to be suffering a heart attack. With his baby daughter tucked up asleep in her car seat, panicked Paddy drives Marlon to the nearest hospital – but as he rushes his mate inside to receive emergency medical help, he inadvertently ends up leaving Eve behind. Horrified to later realise what he’s done, Paddy bombs back out to the car – where Eve is nowhere to be seen! And as the horror sinks in, Paddy falls apart… “It’s just blind panic for him,” shares Dominic Brunt, who plays the desperate dad. “He runs out and tries to find his daughter, and hopes he’ll open the car…

With the desperate search for Eve under way, finding her as soon as is physically possible will be Paddy’s prime concern – and of course, getting his daughter home safely is all he can think about. However, while he’s hoping against hope to have Eve back in his arms before the day is out, this nightmare situation is bound to have dire consequences for his family – and his relationship with Chas – regardless of what happens next… “There’s a chance that social services are going to have to get involved,” admits Dominic. “There’s also the huge issue of what Chas is going to think of Paddy after everything that’s happened – and obviously he’s going to be pretty heavy on himself, too. That’s going to lead into how Paddy…

Grief-stricken Sharon makes a massive decision about her future this week, following the heartbreak of planning Dennis’ funeral. The bereaved mother is barely functioning in the wake of her terrible loss, and her friends are doing everything they can to support her and baby Kayden. But despite their loving presence, Sharon isn’t coping at all. The task of arranging a goodbye for Dennis is too much for her to handle – and she stuns all those around her by coming to a decision that will change her life for good. “Everyone is stunned by what Sharon has to say – particularly Ian…” “Sharon’s world has fallen apart – she is consumed with grief and pain,” explains our EastEnders insider. “However, somehow she has managed to keep going, because she has…

The tragedy of Dennis’ death will only touch one person as much as Sharon – his adopted dad Phil. Phil adored Dennis and thought of him as his own son, so he must be in turmoil. But while Sharon is facing the horror, Phil’s done a disappearing act – probably sunning himself in the Algarve – and we’re keen to know when he’ll show his face again. There’s no doubt he’ll be feeling guilty after being part of the reason the boat crashed, although surely he’ll want to pay his respects to Dennis. Could we be about to witness a graveside showdown between Sharon and Phil as Dennis is laid to rest, or will they surprise everyone by turning to each other for support?…

Alya is determined to free Yasmeen from Geoff’s evil grasp this week – and after piecing together his awful abuse, she goes to the police! Having learned that Geoff is planning to sell his and Yasmeen’s share of Speed Daal – while trying to force his wife into beginning a new life abroad – Alya demands that her grandmother packs a bag and leaves her controlling husband immediately. However, when fragile Yasmeen refuses to listen, Alya concludes that Geoff must be stopped – and decides to report him to the police… “Alya realises Yasmeen has lost control of her own life!” “Alya’s feelings towards Geoff go from her disliking her gran’s annoying partner, to realising that Yasmeen has lost control of her own life,” explains actress Sair Khan, who plays…