Table of contents for 50 - 2020 in Inside Soap UK

Malone’s ghost returns to haunt Harriet this week, after she and Will are left with no choice but to dig up his body! Having learnt that Jean – the daughter of the man whose grave Harriet crammed Malone into after Dawn killed him – is planning on exhuming her father’s remains, Will suggests moving the copper’s corpse to a new burial site. But will they get away with it? “As you can imagine, it’s complete terror at this point for Harriet,” shares Katherine Dow Blyton, who plays her. “The situation has spiralled out of control and she turns to Will, who is of course furious with her for so many reasons. However, he agrees that they have no choice. It’s got to be done – and quickly!” At the start…

Mick and Linda are set to be driven further apart than ever by this plot. However, Kellie Bright, who plays Linda, hopes the viewers will be rooting for the couple to make it through – just as she and co-star Danny Dyer (Mick) are… “They are definitely going to be tested,” she admits. “When we first heard about this story, both Danny and I were concerned about how Mick and Linda would get through this. But the episodes have been beautifully written, and I’m proud of them. “Mick and Linda were childhood sweethearts, and their story is a successful one,” adds Kellie. “I know couples who have been together for a really long time, and who are just as in love with each other now as they were at the…

Liberty makes a run for it with Faith this week, after Sienna confronts her about her mental stability. When Faith becomes unwell, Liberty begins to hallucinate, with ‘Nurse Nico’ discouraging Liberty from taking Faith to the hospital. Once Damon realises that Liberty is seeing things, he calls Sienna for help… “Escape is the only thing Liberty can think about” “Faith gets very hot – and that’s scary if you’re a new mum,” explains Jessamy Stoddart, who plays Liberty. “I think that, despite everything that’s going on in Liberty’s mind, she has these strong maternal instincts, where Faith will never be in danger with her. In her eyes, she’s the only person who can give Faith everything she needs. However, when Nico starts talking, Liberty doesn’t know if she’s doing the…

There’s trouble ahead for Shona this week, after she bags the keys to the Bistro – and hosts an illegal cocktail night for her and underage Simon! The opportunity presents itself when Shona sees wicked Ray drop his keys, and she quickly moves in to grab them. There’s no love lost between the scheming property developer and the Platts, following last week’s huge revelations. So, Shona thinks it’ll be great fun to let herself into the Bistro and drink Ray’s booze, and gets Simon involved too. “It’s a risky thing to do, but Shona can’t judge it due to her brain injury,” explains our Corrie insider. “As far as she’s concerned, it’ll be a laugh and a good way to get one over on Ray. Simon’s having a rotten time,…

Nicolette, David and Aaron get drunk this week – and decide to make a baby! However, will they live to regret their spur-of-the-moment insemination? Wannabe dads David and Aaron were given serious food for thought recently, when their housemate Nicolette offered to have a baby for them. But as the trio rush into the procedure, have they really considered the consequences? “For Nicolette, it’s one of those situations where she speaks before really thinking it through,” explains Charlotte Chimes, who plays her. “She’s not offering to be a surrogate – she wants to co-parent the baby with David and Aaron. She sees this as her chance to have a child with two people she loves and respects, and who will be wonderful fathers. She manages to convince herself that it’s…

Liam is left puzzled this week, when Nate invites him over for beer, and answers the door in his underwear – leaving the doctor fearing Nate has designs on him! It’s Tracy who causes the red faces, as she decides to reunite Leyla and Liam after the horrifying debacle with Gabby. So, Tracy entrusts Nate to invite Liam over to the house, with interesting results… “Liam’s assumption is that Nate is struggling with his mental health when he invites him to come over to talk about his feelings,” explains Jonny McPherson, who plays Liam. “But there does seem to be quite an insistence on Nate’s part, and David doesn’t help matters – he leads Liam to misinterpret why Nate is inviting him over.” Liam is still questioning why Nate has…

Laurel and Jai are devastated this week, as they go ahead with the decision to end their pregnancy. The couple have been to hell and back trying to work out the best course of action for them and their family, following the news that their unborn child has Down’s syndrome. Emotions are running high for everyone, particularly Laurel, who is reeling about the impact on Gabby, Arthur, Dotty and Archie. The children were excited about the prospect of a new sibling, but now Laurel has to share the news that they aren’t going to proceed with the pregnancy. “Telling the kids that she’s going to end her pregnancy is one of the hardest things that Laurel has ever had to do,” shares our Emmerdale insider. “Although she and Jai are…

There’s an alternative Christmas gift in store for Jimmi, Emma and Valerie this week – when Al takes his workmates to a haunted house for a ‘Merry Frightmas’ experience. The gang dress up, and are greeted by ‘1940s doctor’ – and Al’s old pal – Jonathan (played by Danny Mac), with his ‘nurse’ Charlotte, before being told to brace themselves. Unfortunately, it transpires this advice is well-founded, as the house is haunted by ghosts of the visitors’ pasts! Valerie comes face to face with the spirit of her late cat – and feline artist – Geoffrey, while Emma hears the cries of baby Nicholas, a former patient. Meanwhile, Al is reminded of the car crash in which Heston died, and Jimmi’s claustrophobia is triggered after he’s locked up. As Charlotte…

It is, in the jargon of relationships, what’s called a ‘dealbreaker’. Sure, Eric Pollard has spotted his young wife Dee smooching with young Will Cairns, but that’s nothing compared with the fact that Eric has kept news of her mum’s illness from her. In fact, Dee only learns the truth when there’s a knock at the door, and she’s politely informed that her mother has dropped dead. Frankly, it’s hard to find your way back from that kind of betrayal. And so, Dee packs her bags and, perhaps, a few mementos of Emmerdale – a Home Farm snowglobe, a piece of aircraft wreckage – and heads to Hotten International for the first flight back to the Philippines. Can Eric stop her? Let’s hope not. Meanwhile, after fists fly in the…

It’s no accident that Davood is central to yet another sobering plot in EastEnders, this time looking at the perils of online gambling. Since his Albert Square arrival in 2014, the actor has steered issue-led plots such as Kush and Shabnam’s baby being stillborn – and then in 2018, Kush’s brother Shakil losing his life to knife crime. “I’ve been really lucky to be involved in some really important storylines,” shares Davood. “Shakil’s story is up there as one of my most memorable, as it’s one of the few where I have been stopped in the street by people saying that they made sure their kids watched it. To work on it was a real privilege…”…

Helen Flanagan (Corrie’s Rosie Webster), Nikki Sanderson (Hollyoaks’ Maxine), Sally Carman (Corrie’s Abi), Sarah Jayne Dunn (Hollyoaks’ Mandy) Embrace those festive feels, like our soapies, on Christmas Jumper Day (Dec 11) with our pick of seasonal sweaters… £32 www.action forchildren. teemill.com Say cheese, like Helen and co, in matching jumpers – and support Action For Children. £36 www.sydandco.uk We just love Sally’s jumper! Personalise the sweater with a portrait of you and your pet pooch. £22.99 New Look Have yourself a snug little Christmas with this motif jumper. £16 George Jingle all the way, like Sarah Jayne, in this knit featuring bells and a Jingle Bells melody. £37 Sizu Nikki’s charity reindeer-print top will keep you warm and stylish, and will…

It looks as though Gary’s luck will run out this week, when his furious ex Sarah finally reports him to the police over the death of Rick Neelan – whom he buried in a nearby wood. Now she knows that Gary has been conspiring with wicked Ray in order to get his hands on half the properties on Coronation Street – including her family home – Sarah is out for revenge. Her fury is heightened by the fact that Gary was in league with the slimy sex pest who tried it on with her daughter Bethany, and that she destroyed her marriage to keep his secret. However, now that Gary’s villainy has been exposed, Sarah refuses to cover for him any longer. Meanwhile, Gary has no idea that she’s about…

Shirley’s devastated this week, when Mick rejects her once again – yet as she turns to Gray for support, is she relying on him too much? Shirley and Gray have become close in the wake of Chantelle’s death, when Shirley moved in with Gray to help him cope with his grief. With Mick pushing her away, Shirley is pouring all of her energy into helping Gray instead – and Tina’s concerned that her sister is heading for a fall… “Shirley is trying to rescue Gray as she can’t rescue Mick,” confirms Luisa Bradshaw-White, who plays Tina. “She’s doing everything she can to be there for Gray because Mick is so against her – and Tina has definitely noticed that.” Although Mick has made it clear he wants nothing to do…

There are smiles all round this week, as Patrick makes a welcome return to Albert Square – but why isn’t Denise up for celebrating his homecoming? Patrick has been away visiting old friends and family in Trinidad for the past few months, and he’s missed a lot of drama while he’s been away! But in true Patrick style, he heads straight from the airport to the Vic to catch up on all the gossip with Kim over a glass of rum… “Kim is over the moon to see her Pops,” our Walford insider tells us. “The pair of them are two peas in a pod, and before long they’re getting a bit lairy in the pub as they down the drinks and make up for lost time. They’re having great…

Todd takes his plot to break up Billy and Paul to the next level this week – meanwhile, unwitting Paul finds himself in a tricky situation that Todd could take advantage of… “Todd likes Paul to some extent,” insists actor Gareth Pierce, who plays Eileen’s toxic son. “He realises this is someone who Billy has fallen in love with, and Todd can see that Paul is good with Summer – so he does admire him. Yet he is also massively jealous and wants Paul out of the way.” After bagging himself a job at Underworld working alongside Paul, Todd is slowly managing to gain his love rival’s trust – and Paul is helpless to realise that he is being played. For example, Todd takes full advantage of Paul’s kindness after…

Ellis spots Billy going on what looks like a drugs deal this week, but what is his older brother really up to? When Ellis and Marlon see Billy acting suspiciously, the pair decide to follow him. Billy is completely unaware that he’s being trailed and goes to a nearby house – where Ellis spies Billy exchanging a package for money! “There’s no question that it looks as though a drugs deal is taking place,” sighs our village sneak. “And considering Billy’s previous few brushes with the law, it does cross Ellis’ mind that his brother could be up to no good – and Marlon is in agreement with him!” Ellis is unsure about how he’s going to confront his brother with his suspicions. Yet Ellis knows he needs to say…

Toyah and Imran are left elated this week, when they hear that they have been accepted as foster parents! After trying to foster a child for months – and putting their plans on hold for the sake of Leanne and poorly Oliver – Toyah finally receives the call that she’s been waiting for. However, despite her joy, Toyah realises that she needs to tell her grieving sister about the development. But in the wake of Oliver’s death, Toyah is concerned that Leanne won’t be able to handle her sister’s good news. When Toyah tells Leanne that she’s set to become a foster mum, though, Leanne assures her that she really is pleased for her and Imran. Is Leanne as happy for her sister as she’s making out? Or is Toyah’s…

HAIR PROUD I loved Jenny’s pearl-looking scrunchie that she had in her hair in Coronation Street – do you know where I can get one like this from? Lucy You can get Jenny’s look for just £2.99 with the three-pack ‘Faux Pearl Beaded Scrunchie’ from Shein. They come in three colours – white, black and rose gold – so you can match all your seasonal outfits! REPEATING HISTORY I’ve really been enjoying the residents of Coronation Street trying to stop Ray from knocking down buildings on the cobbles – although I can’t help but feel we’ve seen this before… Marie, Newport When Corrie celebrated its 40th anniversary (20 years ago!), the show actually had a very similar storyline, as politicians arrived on the Street with plans to tarmac over the…

“We’ve all heard lots of theories about who the McQueens’ blackmailer is,” teases Hollyoaks star David Tag, aka Sylver, when we quiz him on the identity of Silas’ accomplice. “I think the top theory is that it’s Breda back from the dead, which would be amazing. People are saying all sorts – it’s really fun to hear their theories!” The stalker strikes again this week, as the doll reveals the latest sin – gluttony. And as Nana confesses that she’s the target of the threats this time, Mercedes is taking no chances, which leads to a huge bust-up between her and Sylver! “Mercedes wants to take matters into her own hands, and she’s being quite bolshie,” explains David. “So she and Sylver fall out over the way she wants to…

Nina’s known for her quirky sense of style and straight-talking attitude, but is Mollie just as forward when we put your reader questions to her? “What’s the best thing about having David Neilson [aka Roy] as your on-screen uncle?” When I found out that my character was going to be Roy’s niece, I was so happy! Roy is such an iconic character – he’s someone I watched growing up, and I know everything about him. David’s a really interesting person, too – he’s clever and I’m constantly learning from him. “What’s it like working with David?” “What would Nina make of you?” I think Nina would be more sensible than me, even though I’m older [laughs]! I reckon she’d probably find me a bit annoying! “What might you have done…

ASHLEY “Chastity, will you take Carl to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?” CARL [There’s an awkward silence as Chas pauses] “Come on, you’re killing me here.” CHAS “Sorry. [Her face changes from a big smile to a sour grimace] No!” ASHLEY “This isn’t a time for joking.” CHAS “Who’s joking? I said, ‘No’. No, I won’t love you and comfort you and be faithful to you, because you haven’t been faithful to me.” CARL “What? I don’t know what you’re on about. I love you!” CHAS “I wish that was true. Then why did you sleep with Eve? Stop with the lies, Carl. I just need to…

“Lots of the keepers say they’d prefer to spend Christmas with their animals than their families!” jokes Kate Humble, as she and co-host Ben Fogle re-join the wildlife  of Longleat Safari Park for a festive week-long visit… “It’s Christmas lunch for over a thousand, basically, and the keepers really spoil their animals – everyone either gets a special treat or some sort of present.” Before the big day arrives, however, there’s plenty to be done making sure everyone is warm for the winter, with a host of adorable new arrivals at the park – fennec foxes, binturongs, dik-diks and very jumpy ostriches included! “Life goes on with animals, so even on Christmas Day there are still mouths to feed and mucking-out to do,” shares Ben. “They do tend to stay…

Sarah isn’t the only Street woman with Gary on her hitlist this week – Debbie’s gunning for him too. She’s horrified when she goes to reason with her former cohort, and Gary flat-out refuses to do business with Ray ever again. Debbie doesn’t know the full extent of Ray’s crimes against Gary’s sister Faye, but she’s left in no doubt about where Gary stands regarding the abusive businessman. Not only does Gary rebuff Debbie’s attempts to put the factory sale back on, but he tells her that he’ll have nothing to do with Ray ever again, now he knows that he’s a sex pest. With her development dream in tatters, Debbie isn’t sure what her next move will be. Meanwhile, the locals are still fighting back, trying to track down…

Linda finally comes face to face with her husband’s abuser Katy this week – just as Katy sets out to destroy the Carters’ marriage… “Linda thinks that Katy is some kind of superwoman!” When Linda meets Mick’s former care worker, she has no idea that Katy is the reason her husband has been so distant of late. And she certainly has no idea that Katy is encouraging her husband to leave her! “As far as Linda is concerned, this is the woman who stepped up to look after Mick when his family couldn’t,” explains our Walford mole. “And the way Mick and Tina rave about Katy, it sounds as though she’s some kind of superwoman! Little does Linda realise that Katy is plotting to drive a permanent wedge between her…

Troubled Tim goes all out to welcome mum Elaine back into his life this week – but is he moving too fast? With the events of last week still sending shock waves across the cobbles, Tim’s become laser-focused on getting his relationship with Elaine on to a firmer footing. He feels awful about the cruel way he treated his mum when she first introduced herself, and revealed the shocking truth about Geoff’s historic abuse. Yet although Elaine is delighted Tim wants to get to know her, she didn’t expect an invitation to move in. “Everything that’s happened is pretty overwhelming, and it’s obvious that Tim is in a difficult place psychologically,” explains our Weatherfield spy. “Elaine loves her son dearly and desperately wants to make up for all those lost…

Pierce bids farewell to his family and Ramsay Street this week – and issues a warning to Chloe regarding Nicolette! After his affair with Dipi was outed, and with his marriage in tatters, Pierce decides to leave Erinsborough. First he visits Dipi and leaves her devastated when he tells her that they have no future together. Next, Pierce attempts to get Hendrix to leave for Sydney with him, but his son outright refuses to go. Lastly, Pierce says his goodbyes to Chloe, and issues a caution about Nicolette. Will she heed his words?…

IN THE DEEP END… I feel so bad for Callum in EastEnders – he keeps screwing everything up with either his boss or Ben and Phil. Callum is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and eventually he’ll end up in trouble. This just goes to show that anyone in the police shouldn’t date a Mitchell. Rachel, York CROSSOVER I couldn’t be less on board with Al and Priya’s engagement. I would say there are plenty more fish in the sea, but there really aren’t any single, reliable bachelors in Emmerdale. I reckon there should be a crossover, and Priya could go out with Michael from Corrie – he’s a super-sweet guy, and she deserves someone like him. Linda I’m not sure if that would be possible but I…

WANT TO BAG YOURSELF £20? Tell us what you think is being said in this EastEnders scene. Post your idea to the Soapbox address, email your entry to soapbubble@insidesoap.co.uk, or put it on our Facebook page. The prize-winning entry will be announced in two weeks’ time! WINNER! This week’s prize-winning entry comes from Jane, via email. The cash for your Hollyoaks caption is on its way – congrats!…

AMY CONACHAN Snuggling up to a four-legged friend is always fun, but Hollyoaks star Amy – aka Courtney – can’t wait to hug her real-life pals. “This is how I plan on holding all my friends when lockdown is over. Cuddles for all!” she declared on Instagram. We’re with you, Amy! DANNY MILLER & ISOBEL STEELE We can’t decide which of these Dales stars has the cutest pups! Danny recently added cavapoo Kenny to the family as a brother for Gini, while Isobel likes to keep her pampered pooches close to her at all times! LOUISA LYTTON EastEnders star Louisa (Ruby) couldn’t wait to introduce her new cockapoo Riley to the world! “Just when we needed you!” she gushed alongside a video of her and fiancé Benny playing with their…

Another crop of celebs is stripping off for a fourth series of The Real Full Monty, aiming to raise awareness of cancers in intimate areas. Only, this time, the performers will be in the nip on ice. Brr! Led once again by Ashley Banjo and Coleen Nolan, this year’s brave line-up consists of broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray, Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips and Chris Hughes, This Morning’s Dr Zoe, actors Linda Lusardi, Hayley Tamaddon, Jamie Lomas and Jake Quickenden, sports stars Bob Champion and Gareth Thomas, and dancer Perri Kiely. The stars will need to learn their routine from scratch, before baring all to the nation across two 90-minute episodes. Here, Hollyoaks’ Jamie and ex-Corrie star Hayley reveal (pardon the pun) why they’ve agreed to go au naturel… “I’m doing this…

The Savoy hotel has sat alongside the River Thames in London for 130 years. It has played host to the likes of rock stars and royalty – and this week, it re-opens its revolving doors to allow cameras inside for a Christmas special. As you might expect, it’s the busiest time of the year for the luxury hotel, meaning that every department is under enormous pressure… “People are going to come and spend Christmas with their families,” says butler Michael. “They want the tree, and they want the presents! They’ve saved up for this, so it needs to be perfect.” There are four restaurants at the Savoy, with 160 staff employed across them. On Christmas Day, they serve a seven-course meal – that’s 4,500 dishes in total! “It’s certainly not…

THEATRE LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE IN CONCERT Get into the festive spirit this year, and watch the much-loved Christmas film Love Actually accompanied by a live orchestra. On at London’s Eventim Apollo, all shows are socially distanced so that you can experience them safely. For further information and to purchase tickets, log on to ticketmaster.co.uk DVD STRIKE – LETHAL WHITE Detective Strike is approached by Billy Knight, who tells the story of a child he saw strangled years ago. Meanwhile, Strike is hired by government minister Jasper Chiswell to probe Billy’s brother, Jimmy, who is blackmailing him. As Strike and Robin investigate how the cases might be connected, Robin goes undercover in the House of Commons… CD CHRISTMASLAND by Jonathan Antoine Britain’s Got Talent 2012 runner-up Jonathan Antoine – one half…