Table of contents for 21 - 2017 in Inside Soap UK

 he great thing about the soaps is the infinite variety of stories they can tell. I mean, just this week alone, we have everything from a baby born in a shed in the Australian outback to a man drowning in quicksand near Southport, via the dangers of having sex on top of several thousand pounds’ worth of chocolate swans. (And if you have been affected by any of these issues, please call, respectively: the midwife, the coastguard and the Thorntons helpline.) “I can guarantee big drama ahead” However, if I had to name my favourite type of soap storyline, it would be that old favourite: “I’m pregnant! But who’s the father?!”. And that’s exactly what’s happening on p12, as a Walford lady discovers she’s in the family way. And while…

Just because the Platts are finally in the know regarding evil Nathan doesn’t mean Bethany is safe, insists Lucy. “When people start telling her that she’s being groomed, she can’t accept it,” reveals the 21-year-old actress. “An important part of telling this story is that a lot of survivors say they still couldn’t see what was happening until a long time after it had been exposed. “We know that Bethany’s story is going to continue running through the summer and into the autumn,” adds Lucy. “Both Coronation Street and the NSPCC have had a say in how things conclude, and I think it’s going to be a really good ending.”…

The Corrie team were assisted by the coastguard in shooting these dramatic scenes – and Ben had to endure an uncomfortable few hours… “The water was very cold!” laughs the star. “I felt perfectly safe, but the audience has to believe that you are really in danger, so it has to look real. You want viewers to think, ‘That looks awful!’ – which wasn’t difficult, because it was quite awful! But I was never in danger at any point. There were 100 people watching with camera phones, who all gave me a round of applause!” Turn to p42 for more from Ben, as Inside Soap chats to him for the last time about his life as Nick Tilsley……

She may have arrived as a troublemaker – and committed the cardinal sin of coming between the sainted Robert and Aaron – but star Emily Head is delighted that a few fans have seen that Rebecca has a good side… “Rebecca is the sort of character we haven’t really had in Emmerdale in recent years,” shares the actress. “I think that she’s an interesting person, and people are interested to see what she’s doing. Some of the things she does are not very nice, but then she’ll be kind to someone. It’ll be fascinating to see which way she goes – good or bad – and who she really is in her heart of hearts.”…

Secret lovers Maria and Aidan are destined to incur the wrath of Leanne Battersby – as our sneak pics indicate that she’ll discover their illicit affair! The trio – played by Corrie stars Samia Longchambon, Shayne Ward and Jane Danson – were recently spotted filming scenes where Maria and Aidan are caught leaving a hotel by Leanne. Star Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Aidan’s girlfriend Eva, was also present for the shoot – so will this be the moment that she discovers his infidelity at last? “If Leanne works out the truth, she’ll almost certainly tell Eva,” reckons our Corrie spy. “There is no way that she’ll be able to stand by while Maria and Aidan make a mug of her sister.” Ironically, the cheating pair look as though they’re putting an…

While Steven’s paranoia about Lauren grows more disturbing by the day, actor Aaron Sidwell – who plays him – enjoys a much healthier friendship with co-star Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren)! Aaron was one of several Walford cast members who joined Jacqueline for her hen do ahead of her marriage to fiancé Dan Osborne. Alongside Aaron, Jacqueline’s Square contingent included Jamie Borthwick (Jay), Jasmine Armfield (Bex), Tilly Keeper (Louise) and Shaheen Jafargholi (Shakil) – and as the merry gang partied the night away, the woes of their respective alter egos must have been a million miles away. Jacqueline took to social media the morning after the night before to declare: “Last night was amazing! Thanks so much! I love you all!” It certainly looked like a blast……

“I tell you what would be the most brilliant team-up: Corrie’s Phelan and Jenny . With her dreams of wealth and glory, and his cold-hearted willingness to do whatever it takes, they’d be absolutely unstoppable!” …suggests reader Will Bening “Kooky Lydia in Emmerdale reminds me a lot of what Laurel was like when she came into the show. I think she’d be a great match for Marlon – much better than Carly – and that they’d make a really fun couple.” …says reader Radiya “I hope the businessman who’s behind Max’s plotting turns out to have some weird link to Albert Square. He’s Reg Cox’s son – determined to destroy the community that let his dad die!” …muses reader Sandra J “With…

Roo prepares to move out of the Diner apartment and return to Summer Bay House this week – but the process causes big drama after she collapses while packing! Now that Matt has moved out, Roo opts to move back in with her family rather than continue living on her own. But while Alf is delighted to have his daughter back under his roof, her new boyfriend James isn’t quite so impressed – as he’s worried that his other half’s father won’t let him stay the night! Roo manages to allay his fears by pointing out that she’s a grown-up, and doesn’t need to ask her dad’s permission to have a house guest! So with that issue sorted, the pair get stuck in to the packing… However, when James pops…

Nick and Holly’s fragile relationship reaches breaking point this week, as they realise they’ve cheated on one another! Deceitful Nick managed to convince his girlfriend that his affair with Tegan was mere fantasy on Tegan’s part – but after Holly spies the two together again, she becomes convinced that they’re seeing each other. Meanwhile, stunned Nick discovers that Holly recently shared a kiss with Zack, and confronts her in front of everybody at his graduation party! Will either fight to save their romance?…

BATTERSBYS UNITED! Corrie’s Chloe was never going to be a match for the combined might of the infamous Battersby sisters. Leanne and Toyah may be older, but they’re still as spunky as they were 20 years ago… What a great twist in Corrie. I couldn’t have wished for a better way for Chloe to get her comeuppance. And in spite of all their years apart, the chemistry between Georgia Taylor [Toyah] and Jane Danson [Leanne] is as strong as it’s ever been. Nora, Birmingham Finally, a bit of Battersby attitude! I was worried the girls may have forgotten their gutsy roots, but their takedown of Chloe was a thing of beauty. We need more scenes like this where Leanne and Toyah can really bounce off each other. Phil I thought…

“Today is a rare day when I’m not up at 5am and already on set,” beams actress Ayesha Dharker, as she joins Inside Soap for an early morning chat on a day off from filming. “I’ve discovered that listening to the Darth Vadar theme tune while doing the school run is a lot of fun!” We can tell straight away that we’re in for a really great chat with Ayesha, who is thrilled to be a part of Holby. The 39-year-old star – whom soap fans might remember for playing Dev’s girlfriend Tara Mandal in Corrie – joins the hospital drama on a regular basis as Matteo’s ex-wife, Nina. We’ve met her once before, of course, when viewers learned that the pair lost their young son after he went missing…

RYAN CONNOR 2006-2010/2012-2013 Has the fact that Michelle has a grown-up son slipped your mind? Well, it appears to have slipped hers as well! It’s hardly surprising that he’s not high on her list of priorities – firstly, he changed faces between 2010 and 2012, leaving everyone confused, and secondly, he’s not even her son! He was switched at birth with her biological child Alex Neeson – but it’s okay, because she’s forgotten about Alex as well……

She’s not had much to smile about on the Street lately, so it was lovely to see Corrie’s Debbie Rush (Anna) beaming with pride as she watched her daughter Poppy get married at St Peter’s Church in Cheshire. Dressed in a stunning white dress, star Debbie joined 25-year-old Poppy – who played Sophie Dodd in EastEnders last year – as she walked down the aisle to marry partner Ryan Whittle . Donning their finery were many of Debbie’s cast mates and soap pals, including Dales lovebirds Matthew Wolfenden (David) and Charley Webb (Debbie) – as well as cobbles mainstay Jack P Shepherd (David), his partner Lauren Shippey and their adorable children Nyla and Reuben .…

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Line Of Duty is fantastic . My wife and I had arguments every time we watched it about whether Roz Huntley was innocent or not. I had to go away for a few weeks after the episode with Arnott’s fall, and I didn’t know if he was dead or not. He looked pretty dead! Now the kids are a bit older, we’ve started watching programmes as a family . We watched Planet Earth II, which was brilliant, and Little Big Shots on ITV with Dawn French. Dawn French is amazing – I know she’s a brilliant comedian, but she’s also a great presenter with kids. I like to keep an eye on comedy , but I don’t relax as much when watching it because I’m just wondering about…

There’s a terrifying showdown in store for Ken this week, as he finally confronts the person who tried to kill him. Facing the violent fiend, Ken takes his life in his hands as he demands to know why his assailant wanted him dead. But can they be reasoned with? “Ken has his attacker bang to rights!” says our Corrie spy. “Of course, he’s horrified to have realised who they are. But rather than run a mile, he’s desperate to know the truth of what happened and why it happened – no matter how dangerous the consequences.” The penny drops for Ken when he spots a pair of trainers that he recognises as being worn by his attacker on the night of his horrific fall. Bravely deciding to confront the owner…

The end could be nigh for two Walford favourites, with Dot and Denise both set to suffer very serious health scares. In a teaser trailer recently released by EastEnders bosses (see p12 for more), Dot can be glimpsed slumped unconscious on her kitchen floor before Sonia is seen jumping into an ambulance. What’s wrong with the Albert Square stalwart, and will she recover? Meanwhile, poverty-stricken Denise collapses as she appears to be taking her GCSE exam. Has the starvation that she’s recently suffered finally taken its toll on her body? “What we’re trying to say – and what I do know to be true – is that anybody, at any time, can find themselves in Denise’s position,” says star Diane Parish, who plays her. “It’s the slipperiest of slopes, our…

Costly curlers! Some hair rollers, a pinny and a headscarf worn by Hilda Ogden in Corrie have been sold at auction for a huge £4,200. That’s one dedicated Hilda fan! Roxy road It would appear that former Dales star Roxanne Pallett , who played Jo Sugden, is interested in making a return to the soap. “I would consider going back if it was right for both the writers and myself,” she hints. Orphaned! There’s heartbreak in store for Home and Away’s Hunter when a DNA test reveals that Zac isn’t really his dad! But will he tell Zac the truth? And is his birth father still out there somewhere?…

Patrick’s return to Walford brings some welcome relief for struggling Denise this week, as she breaks down and admits her desperate state. For weeks, Denise has battled on alone, without two pennies to rub together after losing her job at the Minute Mart. She couldn’t even afford to buy food – yet even the prospect of taking her all-important exams didn’t prompt her to swallow her pride and ask for help. However, it takes Patrick moments to realise all is not well with his friend – and he soon offers D some much-needed support, as she finally confesses she’s in dire straits. Stunned to discover Kim is oblivious to her big sister’s troubles, Patrick tells her she should have been there for Denise – prompting Kim to wade right in…

While Kat believes that she’s set to bring her family back together, this week the cracks begin to show in another clan, as Agnes hosts a barbecue to mark the boat tragedy anniversary. The occasion is difficult for Eileen, who starts to learn just how much she ran away from when she moved to the US. Worried about her son Kieran, and how much the death of his sibling affected him all those years ago, Eileen decides to make an announcement to the family – but her big sister Roisin is less than happy. Meanwhile, Kat and Alfie are unaware of the danger that could lie ahead for them, as Kat pushes on in her quest to reunite her fractured clan……

VIC TO VIC The policeman who arrested and interviewed EastEnders’ Jack over the ‘assault’ on Charlie looked very familiar. Was he in Hollyoaks a few years ago? Fraser, Yeovil He was, Fraser! Victor Gardener played Rick Spencer from 2014 to 2015. He was Jason and Robbie Roscoe’s dad, and also the first victim of the ‘Gloved Hand Killer’… DEMON DRINK In a recent episode of Home and Away, Ash got very angry when he found out that Irene had her kids taken away from her in the past. How long ago did that happen? Jerry, Kidderminster Irene’s children – Nathan, Damian and Fin – were removed from her care before she arrived in the Bay in 1991. She became an alcoholic after an unhappy marriage, and lost her kids as…

I’d go for Tarzan… or perhaps Borat in the Mankini just to be extra cruel to poor Nick Miles! We’ve seen nearly every part of Nick on screen now anyway, haven’t we? Every week, we put your questions to a star of the soaps. Look out for requests on our Facebook page, or email your questions to youask@insidesoap.co.uk, putting the actor’s name in the subject line. Our favourite question each week will win a £20 prize !…

“Goldie would be absolutely devastated if she were to lose Prince!” Yummy mummy Goldie McQueen is always run ragged thanks to her troublesome twin boys – but her real-life alter ego Chelsee Healey, 28, tells us that she’s looking forward to a chilled day today. The star has entered the final phase of her pregnancy, and is hoping for a few restful weeks before she welcomes her first child into the world! And while mum-to-be Chelsee is bursting with excitement, her character Goldie is fearing for the future of her own kids now that Shane is back in the picture… How is Goldie feeling about Shane returning to the family fold? She’s really had enough of him! She’s finally seen sense and isn’t giving in to him this time. It…

Weatherfield’s Tara Mandal decided that revenge is a dish best served cold when Dev did the dirty on her. She managed to convince her fella to pose naked for a photographer, before revealing the nude portrait to all and sundry. However, while viewers were cheering her on, Ayesha felt terrible… “Dev is an idiot, but he’s a sweet man really,” chuckles the star, who played Tara between 2008 and 2009. “I felt a bit sorry for them both – though I’m glad Tara left with her head held high.”…

She’s steadfastly private when it comes to her real life away from EastEnders – but star Lacey Turner , aka Stacey, couldn’t resist sharing her brand-new tattoos with the world recently. Dressed in a backless dress, the actress – who is known for her love of tats – was thrilled to reveal her fresh ink to her legion of Instagram followers. The Square favourite visited Aggys Ink in Hornsey, London, to have an elephant design, ornate birds and a ‘Hamsa’ symbol added to her already stunning collection of body art – and doesn’t she look fantastic!…

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THIS GLORIOUS ROMP through French history gets more entertaining as it goes on. While last year’s first series was fun but occasionally a bit dense and confusing, series two feels a lot more engaging . The best addition to this run has been Jessica Clark as Philippe’s brilliantly earthy new wife Liselotte – look out for her heroic efforts to seduce her uninterested husband this week. And we’ve enjoyed seeing the conniving but complex Madame de Montespan getting lots of character development, while the sets and costumes just seem to get more stunning with each new episode……

THE RIGHT LANE Filming has begun on the third series of Army drama Our Girl , with Michelle Keegan returning for her second stint as Corporal Georgie Lane. This series will run for an extended 12 episodes, spanning three separate missions. POPLAR DEMAND A new midwife is heading to Poplar – Leonie Elliott is joining the cast of Call The Midwife as Lucille Anderson, the first West Indian midwife to appear as a regular character. We also hear that ex-EastEnder Anita Dobson (Angie Watts) will be in the Christmas special… FRIENDS FOREVER Zoë Wanamaker, Miranda Richardson and Phyllis Logan are to star in ITV drama Girlfriends . The series follows former childhood friends who are reunited when one of them suffers a bereavement.…

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“Nick ends up exposing his own personality flaws and issues…” There’s horror at the beach for Nick this week – when he is trapped in quicksand after a big fight with Leanne! But will anyone hear his screams for help? The seaside sojourn is suggested by Nick as a way to prove that he’s willing to play happy families with sworn enemies Steve and Peter, as well as fiancée Leanne and their children. But far from helping to forge a truce, Nick instead lashes out and shows his true colours to Leanne. When she storms off in shock, infuriated Nick stomps away from exasperated Steve and Peter. However, he’s soon wishing that he’d kept his enemies closer… “He hasn’t bargained on the tide or the quicksand!” says Ben Price, who…

Loyal Kat and Alfie fans are currently enjoying the duo in the EastEnders spin-off Redwater – but another Walford couple could be set to follow in their footsteps. When asked which Albert Square pair he’d most like to see get their own show, former Square chief Dominic Treadwell-Collins plumped for Mick and Linda… “I could watch them for ages – but that’s because they’re based on my mum and dad!” he reminded us. “So I’ve got a lot of stories there.” However, Dominic went on to explain that the timing isn’t right for the Carters. “They’ve only been on EastEnders for a few years,” he reasoned. “They don’t yet have the rich history that Kat and Alfie have.”…

FAIR CITY The police find evidence linked to Katy in Farrah’s house this week, and it’s clear she’s in the frame. But Farrah makes it worse when she talks to a journalist. Elsewhere, Jake reveals he’s not who Ama thinks he is. Also, Cristano and Kerri-Ann plan a Chilean-style festival. RIVER CITY Robbie steals from the Tall Ship to feed his painkiller addiction this week, but Suzie accuses Jules! Will Robbie try to clear her name? Meanwhile, Angus is in bits after learning that Kim isn’t pregnant, and makes an indecent proposal. Also, Frankie’s new fella shocks the Roths. THE ARCHERS Justin is the talk of the Bull this week, as rumours circulate about his plan for the Berrow Farm site. Elsewhere, Harrison spots a surprise entry at the Single…

If there’s one thing that makes Nick Tilsley stand out on the Street, it’s his sharp suits. For Ben, that’s the key ingredient to becoming Nick. “As soon as I put the suit on, everyone knew Nick was a businessman,” the star tells us. “I said to them early on, ‘Can you put me in as many suits as possible?’ because it separated him from the other guys and helped define the character. “I used to love it when Peter was smoking a fag in his leather jacket outside the bookies, and Nick would walk past him in his suit. When you know your character totally hates another – like Nick does Peter – it works, and you know you’ll enjoy it!”…

“Leah doesn’t understand Irene’s logic at all!” When you’ve appeared in a soap for more than two decades, you might start to wonder how the storyliners could possibly come up with any new plots for you! But despite having been a permanent fixture in Summer Bay since 1993, Lynne McGranger – who plays Irene – is still getting stories that are every bit as exciting and explosive as when she first joined the show. Irene’s latest drama has put her at odds with her best friend Leah, as they both battle for custody of their baby granddaughter Luc. Luckily, however, relations between Lynne and her real-life buddy Ada Nicodemou – who plays Leah – couldn’t be better right now… “I was kind of dreading this story in a way, because…

Here’s hoping that Goldie does burn all her bridges with Shane, because this would pave the way for a new romance with loveable Jesse! We’ve picked up on some playful flirting between the two at the salon – and like us, Chelsee reckons this couple could be a surprising yet perfect match… “I think they’re cute together!” gushes the star. “They have a connection and really enjoy each other’s company. It’s very nice to see because they get on so well.” Vindictive Darcy is determined to keep Goldie away from her former flame. But could she have met her match in the gobby McQueen girl? “Definitely!” grins Chelsee. “I’d love to see them have a fight. Goldie would try to play her at her own game. Darcy is a sly…

GOING live! Corrie celebrated its 50th in grand style by catapulting a tram on to the cobbles! A week of special episodes, including an hour-long live offering, saw an explosion destroy the viaduct, before the tram plunged on to the Street. Over 14 million viewers tuned in to watch the live episode –in which both Molly Dobbs and Ashley Peacock lost their lives, while Fiz gave birth to her baby daughter Hope amid the chaos! And Corrie wasn’t the only soap going live – EastEnders’ 25th anniversary episode saw Stacey revealed as Archie Mitchell’s killer, before her husband Bradley plunged to his death from the roof of the Vic. Fox hunt Life may not be a barrel of laughs for Walford’s Denise right now, but she should count herself lucky…

It was a big night at the BAFTA TV Awards last week – and we’re not just talking about the winners! Take a look at gorgeous Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe , aka Mercedes, who paraded her beautiful bump while waltzing down the red carpet. Wearing a lovely lace dress, and with her tresses swept back into a plait, the stunning actress ensured all eyes were on her! Although Jen was the talk of the night, the cast of Emmerdale did manage to steal some of the limelight, as they scooped the Soap And Continuing Drama gong at the prestigous event. Eager to share their delight, attendees Danny Miller (Aaron) and Lucy Pargeter (Chas) were pictured with the trophy after the win, before the rest of the cast – including little…

“OUR ’ CAMERA TEAMS ARE ” EXCITED, SO I M REALLY EXCITED MICHAELA” Have a notepad ready and keep your eyes on the garden (or the nearest patch of greenery) because Springwatch is back this week, and it has a new home. For the first time ever, an entire year’s ‘Watches’ (Spring, Autumn and Winter) will all be based in the same location: the National Trust’s Sherborne Park Estate. “We see wildlife throughout the country, whether in the city or in a rural environment,” Chris Packham tells Inside TV. “But what we’re doing here is we’re going to explore the bigger picture of what the UK countryside is really about.” “Our wildlife camera teams have already been…

BULLSEYE! While it’s great to have Mick back, we do hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Woody . Much like Danny Dyer , Lee Ryan has the natural charm and twinkle in his eye that’s an essential requirement for the manager of the Queen Vic. He’s been fun to have around these last few weeks. Don’t be a stranger, Woody! What is the plan for Frank ? He’s tagging on to the end of Megan’s custody battle snore-fest when he should be seducing and scamming left, right and centre. Make it happen, Emmerdale! Jenny may look happy now… but our soap senses tell us that wedding dress will end up torn and bloodstained, with Jenny standing on the rooftop of Underworld, screaming into the rain. We’re not sure…