Table of contents for 38 - 2020 in Inside Soap UK

“It’s time to name your favourite soapies…” We’re a little bit later than usual, but this week is your chance to vote in the Inside Soap Awards. There have certainly been some unexpected twists off screen this year, but now our beloved shows are back in buiness, we thought it was time to let you name your favourites. The voting form is on p51 – and there’s a special new award for 2020! Elsewhere, EastEnders might have been off our screens for a while, but it has come back with a bang, as the aftermath of Chantelle’s death rocks the Square. Meanwhile, Corrie returnee Rachel Leskovac fills us in on the Street’s shock new twist – Nick’s secret love child with Natasha! And over in Emmerdale, there’s a big moment…

Sleazy businessman Ray Crosby will be at heart of Corrie’s 60th anniversary show-stopper this winter, as the locals unite to fight his evil plan to take over Coronation Street! Having already bought the Bistro, and blackmailed Kevin into signing over the garage, Ray went on to the catastrophic sinkhole that appeared in the Platt family garden – forcing them from their home. However, a huge twist will reveal that the ruthless property tycoon is not working alone. Ray is linked to someone living on the cobbles, who’s aware of his plan! Inside Soap leapt on a video call with Mark Frost, who plays Ray, the moment his true intentions became clear – and here’s what he had to say… Hello, Mark! Now that viewers are on to Ray, what more…

Back on the ward! Casualty will make a return later this year, as the ED battles Covid-19. Connie will be under terrible strain managing the crisis, especially when her lover Jacob is struck down with the virus… Scarlett strikes again! Last seen being taken into custody after trying to kill Ned, stalker Scarlett Brady is set to make a dramatic return to Neighbours! “It is fun to play her, and try to empathise with her actions,” explains returning star Christie Whelan Browne. Family reunion! Hollyoaks star Nadine Mulkerrin was chuffed to confirm that she is back filming as Cleo following her maternity leave, after reuniting on set with her fellow McQueens. Aw!…

“I’ve got the perfect job for Mick Carter – the new market inspector! It puts him at the heart of the community again, and in everyone’s business. Although it depends how Danny Dyer feels about working outdoors in winter!” …chuckles reader Ben “The Coronation Street theme music is one of the only things that will calm my puppy down in the evening, but it’s too short! Can Corrie go to 20-minute episodes like EastEnders please, and use the rest of the time for music?” …says reader Alia “If soaps want to show a realisitic physical romance, then there’s only one thing for it – on her return, Debbie Dingle and [her real life partner] David Metcalfe are going to have to get together, along with Cain and Rhona!” … suggests…

Lock up your sons! And their older brothers! Sharon Mitchell’s back in town – with a deep Florida tan, a spring in her step, and some kind of plan cooking up. While Phil hides behind a shoe stall to avoid her, and Kathy gives Sharon a proper dressing-down, one person who’s actually delighted to see her is Peggy. She’s determined to get Grant and Sharon back together. However, when the pair do finally talk, it looks as if their marriage is very definitely over. But if that’s the case, why does Grant look so mournful? To get his mother off his back, he decides it’s time for her to find out what really wrecked his marriage… Across the Square, Bianca is still holed-up in her bedsit. Will a visit from…

WINTER WARMERS! Ruby on EastEnders was wearing a lovely long, grey coat this week. Do you know where I can get one of these from? Hanna You can never go wrong with a trench coat, especially heading into the cooler months. It’s not an exact match, but Next has a very similar grey coat for £48 – it also comes in oatmeal, as well as petite sizes! PUT A RING ON IT… Mercedes made a comment in Hollyoaks about being at Scott and Mitchell’s wedding venue before – is this true? Lily, Dublin It is! Scott and Mitchell got married at Thornton Manor in Cheshire. This was the venue for Mercedes’ third wedding to Riley Costello. At the time, Mercedes was heavily pregnant and also cheating on Riley with…

Life in the Alahan house is pretty crazy right now for skint Dev and his wild-child twins. With Asha and Aadi growing up fast, Dev’s facing daily crises. But for Jimmi Harkishin, it’s a brilliant new chapter in his long Coronation Street career… “I love it – I’m not this reluctant heartthrob any more, I’m 20 years older and playing a father,” he chuckles. “Tanisha [Gorey] and Adam [Hussain] – who play the twins – are absolute stars. I’m really looking forward to what we have coming up with each other. I’m a lucky guy!” On screen, Dev has recently faced strife courtesy of daughter Asha. Yet Jimmi reveals the widower has more trouble coming up thanks to Aadi – and he admits that he feels for the solo dad.…

Stacey and Ruby’s friendship has always been solid – well, right up until the point that Stacey found out that Ruby is sleeping with Martin! So can the pair find a way back from this? Lacey doesn’t think that what Ruby has done is forgivable… “Ooh I don’t know, this is a pretty bad one,” considers the star. “That’s the number one rule between best mates: You don’t take your best friend’s husband! So I don’t know. Their relationship is very sour at the moment, and it looks as if it’s going to stay sour for a long time. It’s become quite bitter – and I can’t see a way out…”…

Since Grace’s arrival in Weatherfield, she seems to have been in a quandary over how close to let her ex Michael get to her and their daughter Tianna. This week, while Michael feels he’s finally making progress, Grace still appears to be holding her cards close to her chest. Kate Spencer – who plays her – joins us for a chat about Grace’s dilemma, and her own Street experience… Hi, Kate! So how have your first few months on Corrie been? I don’t like to have too many expectations because you don’t want to get disappointed – but there’s no way that Corrie could ever disappoint you! Everyone there is welcoming, and it’s been such a good learning experience, professionally and personally. It’s crazy as I used to watch Corrie…

ONLINE Visit www.insidesoap.co.uk and follow the instructions to cast your vote in each category. Online voting opens at 12pm on 15 September. BY POST Fill in the voting form over the page by ticking the box next to your favourite in each category – you can only vote once per category. Send your form to The Inside Soap Awards 2020, Hearst UK, 30 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4AJ. PLEASE PL AY FAIR! We know you all have your favourites and want to support them – but multiple or ‘block’ voting can be detected by our online system and will be disqualified.…

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BOX-SET SUCCESSION : THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON Picking up where the first season dramatically left off, season two follows the Roys as they struggle to regain control of their empire. Kendall deals with the fallout over his takeover attempt, while Shiv is poised to make her way into the firm. Also, Roman reacquaints himself with the business, and Connor launches an unlikely bid for president. Who will take over in a post-Logan world? DIGITAL PUBLIC ENEMIES Former convict Eddie is released from prison after serving 10 years for killing his girlfriend. While he continues to proclaim his innocence, his probation officer, Paula, starts to doubt his part in the murder. Is Eddie telling the truth? Starring Anna Friel and Daniel Mays. Available to watch on Acorn TV. BOOK IF…

BULLSEYE! Hollyoaks wins the award for creative brilliance this week – cleverly repackaging pre-pandemic scenes from Scott and Mitchell’s wedding as flashbacks, while new material saw characters recalling the day’s events from a police interview room. Total genius – and so in keeping with the teen soap’s inventive approach to storytelling. Welcome back, gang! This was all a bit much for 7.30pm on a Tuesday. Over the years we’ve learned: The curlier the hair, the crazier the scorned ex. If 2020 was represented by a single face. Of all the surprises of the new EastEnders, we were thrilled to find it’s now all done in rhyme. Harriet’s church retreat was over before Wednesday’s ad break. If we were her, we’d have tagged a spa break on the end and nobody…

We all know that Belle is a Dingle through-and-through, and Eden reveals that her alter ego could definitely turn to the dark side, just like the rest of her family… “Obviously Jamie’s the dark, serious, bad character – but it’s within every Dingle to turn, so they can do what they believe is the right thing,” she comments. “And Belle is completely capable of that – and when pushed, she could definitely do her worst. I just think that she really needs to get out of this mess, she needs a simple, happy life, and I don’t think Jamie’s doing that for her!”…

Feast your eyes on the handsome face set to bring fresh drama to the Dales, as village bosses unveil Moira’s troublesome brother, Mackenzie! Emmerdale newcomer Lawrence Robb is stepping into the role, and is the first to insist that he is nothing like his bad boy alter ego… “I couldn’t be further from ‘Mac’ in real life, so playing him will have its challenges – but I’m more than up for the ride,” grins the star. “I can’t wait to don my wellies!” Moira is already having a tough year after her divorce from Cain and being mowed down by Jamie Tate. And now Mackenzie will bring with him a dark secret from their past… “He’s coming with a secret you think you’re going to find out, but there will…

Yes, that confident girl in the pictures is little Amy, even though it’s surely just five minutes since Sean Slater and Jack were fighting with Roxy Mitchell over her child’s paternity! It’s also the same actress, Abbie Burke, who has played Amy since 2014. With Amy having been passed from pillar to post over the past decade or so, and quietly watching all kinds of goings-on around her, perhaps it’s no surprise that she’s growing into a cynical manipulator, especially where men are concerned. It’s good to know the future of Walford drama is in safe hands!…

“This is it, Mum. Fresh start. Clean slate.” Well, that lasted for all of nineteen-and-a-half minutes. “You’re going to bring up the fact I had an affair, and yes – yes I did. I had an affair, but so would everyone coming home to you every night. Kurt was everything that you weren’t. Of course he was. Because he was programmed to be – by the Nakamura Corporation. I never meant to fall in love with a Cyborg! But it’s better than being married to a snake!” Cathy’s dramatic rehearsal for Brian’s play was the most unexpected soap moment all year. “You didn’t actually have a brain injury.” “No, but I was completely messed up. The brain is amazing, the way that it can heal itself. Look at our Nick,…

Leyla attempts to take wayward teen Gabby under her wing again this week, but could she end up regretting it? After hitting the town to drown her sorrows, Gabby returns home rather worse for wear, leaving Laurel deeply unimpressed! Feeling sorry for the teenager, Leyla steps in to help out, hoping to smooth things over between Gabby and her stepmum. But with Gabby still fuming over the fact that Leyla ditched their girls’ night out for a date with Liam, will she be grateful for the olive branch?…

BACK WITH BANG! Lies, deceit, affairs, a wedding and a murder! Could you really ask for more to kick off a return to Hollyoaks? What a send-off for the legendary Lisa Loveday too – she is definitely going to be missed for her sass, and her very interesting fashion choices! Maya, Crayford COMING HOME It’s great to see Sue Devaney back as Debbie in Corrie, and I’m looking forward to watching how her relationship with Abi develops. Hopefully, Debbie will stick around for a while and ruffle a few feathers – she could get her job in the café back, or work as a hairdresser in Audrey’s salon! Helen, Chesterfield It would be fantastic to see Debbie working side by side with Nina and Roy at Roy’s Rolls! REACHING NEW…

“It was inevitable that Aaron was going to find someone else, because there’s a lot of drama in love – and Aaron loves a drama!” chuckles Dales star Danny Miller, as we probe him about his character enjoying a flirtation with village newcomer Ben this week. “Robert will be in prison for some time to come, and Aaron’s the type who needs to be loved, and wants that security. So he’s open to the prospect of moving on from Robert – otherwise he knows he could find himself in a dark place again…” While ‘Robron’ fans may not be thrilled at the idea of Aaron finding new love, it’s clear Danny is pleased to have a juicy storyline to sink his teeth into. And as we join him and…

“Do you think Sean Bean would play Misbah’s other half?” laughs Harvey Virdi, as we discuss the possibility of her alter ego having a secret love life. “It would be great to explore a love interest for an older woman. Just because you’re a bit older, doesn’t mean you don’t have those feelings – and just because you once loved your husband very much, it doesn’t mean you can’t love another…” Misbah returns to Hollyoaks this week after being away for the summer on a medical secondment in Surrey, and immediately raises suspicions with one villager after receiving some mysterious phone calls. “The call initially comes through when Misbah is with Imran, and she covers up saying it’s a work mate,” explains Harvey. “Misbah is slightly secretive, so Leela –…

Despite only joining Coronation Street last year, Kate actually had an encounter with a cobbles legend long before that, which she had the chance to recall… “When I got to the studios, I was really excited about seeing Sally Dynevor [Sally],” she says. “When I was in America nine years ago, I bumped into her. I was in Chicago and spotted her, and as my mum is obsessed with Corrie, I went up to her and asked for an autograph. So when I saw Sal again at work, I was like, ‘Erm... we’ve actually met before…’ I was still a little bit nervous, but really excited to see her again. She’s so lovely.”…

Witness the fitness! WALFORD STAR SCOTT IS IN GREAT SHAPE – AND SO IS HIS MARRIAGE… EastEnders actor Scott Maslen (Jack) celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary to wife Estelle Rubio in a rather strange way – by letting his missus demonstrate her kickboxing skills on him! Although the happy couple have been married for a decade, they’ve actually been together for a whopping 21 years. And if these pictures of them showing off their buff bods are anything to go by, the secret to a happy relationship is working out together – and taking things on the chin! It was all in jest, of course, and Scott and Estelle later took to a local café in order to celebrate reaching the impressive milestone. Happy anniversary from us! FUR-…

“I was thinking – why did they ask me to do this iconic show?” muses Italian chef Gino D’Acampo as he joins Inside TV on the phone from Sardinia, to discuss his new job as gameshow host. “I was a bit like, ‘Are you guys serious?’ – and then I thought, ‘Ah, those cheeky so-and-sos, they just want a bit of chaos!’” In fronting this latest revamp of Family Fortunes – first aired in 1980 – Gino follows in the footsteps of former compères Bob Monkhouse, Max Bygraves, Les Dennis, Andy Collins and Vernon Kay (who fronted the All Star version). But there’s no doubting that the foodie will bring his own brand of cheeky charm to the show – in which teams of relatives must guess the most popular…

EMMERDALE We are family! WILL VINNY’S DREAMS OF A REUNION FOR HIS PARENTS COME TRUE? Poor Vinny – all he’s wanted since his dad’s shock arrival in the village is for his parents to reunite, so they can be one happy family at long last. However, Mandy has made it clear she’s not going to let that happen! She’s adamant that a leopard never changes its spots, and she doesn’t think for a moment that ex-gambling addict Paul has really got his act together. So will she be proved right? Or will Vinny get his happy ever after? NEIGHBOURS Truth time… Pregnant Chloe makes a shocking admission to pal Nicolette next week – she’s not sure she wants to be a mother! Is she having serious second thoughts about her…

The fallout from his visit to Buster isn’t the only thing Brody has to deal with this week – after pregnant Liberty goes into labour! “Liberty asks Brody to go to an antenatal class, but something happens to make him go out drinking instead,” shares Adam. “Then while Liberty is trying to call him, she goes into labour – and he misses the start of the birth! “Brody feels guilty for the fact that he was out drowning his sorrows when his daughter is being born, but at the same time he’s amazed by this brand-new life. It’s a big thing for Brody to become a dad and to see his child being born, so it’s a weird mix of emotions. But ultimately the birth is a real positive for…

Corrie viewers were robbed of a suitable exit for Liz McDonald this year – not just as a result of Covid-19, but largely because star Bev Callard, who plays her, has been a laid up at home after keyhole surgery that went drastically wrong. However, brave Bev is determined to come back fighting and eventually shoot a departure for Liz that the character deserves… “I will be going back maybe at the start of next year, so we’ll see a bit more of Liz – and it’s going to be very dramatic, I believe,” she shared while appearing on ITV’s Loose Women. “I’m hoping that Liz and Jim [McDonald, played by Charles Lawson] get back together, and go off into the sunset. However, I have a feeling that is not…

Leanne’s desperate rush to raise £500,000 for Oliver’s medical treatment receives a huge boost this week – when Nick offers to sell up. He tells his stunned partner that he’s willing to put his Underworld shares on the market to get the money they need to fund the hospital bills in Germany. Leanne is completely overwhelmed by Nick’s extraordinary gesture, little knowing that he’s hiding a bombshell secret about his son, Sam. The money will go a long way to achieving their fund-raising target, and gives Leanne hope that Oliver will get the treatment she believes will prolong his life. When Steve and Tracy hear about Nick’s offer, it sparks a crisis for the pair. Steve now feels massive pressure to sell Streetcars, and asks Tracy to consider doing the…

Pierce jumps to conclusions this week, when he spots Nicolette and Chloe having a seemingly secretive conversation… Things start well as Pierce and Chloe get their baby’s test results for Huntington’s, and it’s the best outcome they could have hoped for. But when the couple share their exciting news with Nicolette, she reacts with little enthusiasm. Confused, Chloe presses Nicolette to find out what’s wrong. However, when Pierce spots the two women together, he’s irritated by their closeness. The tension between Pierce and Nicolette has been growing steadily ever since she moved in to help with Chloe’s mum, Fay. Pierce’s frustrations have continued to get out of hand with Nicolette constantly undermining him with Chloe – not to mention the fact that it’s become obvious Nicolette has a real soft…

WALFORD’S NEW NORMAL EastEnders is back on our screens, using body doubles, perspex screens and all kinds of trick filming. However, that’s far less interesting to you than the plots and characters themselves… The more I see of Dotty, the more I wish I was as outgoing as she is when I was a teen! Dotty’s so confident and self-assured – a proper chip off the old block. I hope she doesn’t change, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that she dumped Ian in it with Sharon. Alfie It was so good to hear the ‘doofs doofs’ again at the beginning of the credits –and it was a good start. It looks as if Ian is set to lose his friendship with Shazza, just after reopening the Vic. And poor…

“Danny and I first met a couple of years ago,” Simon tells us. “I’ve been involved with the Once Upon A Smile [the charity Danny runs] football team over the years, and then we worked together producing a short film at the start of the year. So when this role came up, I messaged Danny telling him that I was coming up to screen-test with him – I knew I would have a good time regardless of whether I got the job. Danny’s top class, and has been so welcoming and supportive of me. It’s great to have a mate on set.” “We hit it off straight away,” adds Danny. “Simon’s very professional. We work at such a fast pace, so for Si to come in during lockdown, and make…

The moment we’ve all been waiting for arrives this week, as Stacey makes her much-anticipated return to Walford – and when she finds her estranged hubby Martin in a cosy love bubble with her best mate Ruby, fists are set to fly! Our money would always be on a Slater to win in a catfight. And as we catch up with EastEnders actress Lacey Turner – who’s returning to the role of Stacey after giving birth to her daughter Dusty – she assures us her alter ego isn’t about to take this terrible betrayal lying down… Welcome back, Lacey! How does it feel to be on our screens again? It’s so lovely to be back – I really missed it! At the same time it is a bit strange, because…

It may feel as if this year has been more about the drama in the real world, but the soaps have still delivered top-notch telly. Plus, everyone on screen and behind the scenes has made a mammoth effort to keep the shows going – so here’s your chance to say a big ‘thank you’ to your fave soaps and stars, by voting for them in the Inside Soap Awards 2020. We have 13 trophies up for grabs, so you can name the best, the baddest, the most spectacular and the most entertaining from all the soaps and dramas… There’s also a new trophy for 2020 – the ‘Feel-good Moment’ award. This year, the soaps have been a real source of comfort to people when the rest of the world seemed…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Rosa Cadenas......................... Jacey Sallés Faith Cadogan...................... Kirsty Mitchell Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia.......................... Tony Marshall Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh.......................... William Beck Fenisha Khatri........................ Olivia D’Lima Marty Kirkby................ Shaheen Jafargholi Jade Lovall.......................... Gabriella Leon Lev Malinowski........................... Uriel Emil Rash Masum........................... Neet Mohan Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Will Noble................................. Jack Nolan CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan...................... Zennon Ditchett Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Izzy Armstrong............... Cherylee Houston Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Eddison Bailey....... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Adam Barlow...................... Sam Robertson Amy Barlow.......................... Elle Mulvaney Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Sarah Barlow........................... Tina O’Brien Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Leanne Battersby...................…