Table of contents for 44 - 2022 in Inside Soap UK

Blimey. Well, that was my first time hosting the Inside Soap Awards. Totally terrifying, but I survived – and it was a real privilege to present trophies to so many worthy winners. And I can assure you they are all as charming and modest in real life as I hope they come across in their interviews; especially that Marlon Dingle – always my mum’s fave! “Marlon was always my mum’s favourite!” All our guests make an effort for the big night, but perhaps none more so this year than Corrie’s Dame Maureen, who commissioned a unique jacket printed from her own iPad artwork. Talk about multi-talented! For a closer look, head to p41, where we kick-off our first batch of features, with more to come – including a Lacey Turner…

Our first thought upon meeting intelligent and classy Doctor Nina wasn’t just how well turned out she was, but why on earth was she with grubby Ranveer? Well, that all made sense after it transpired she was secretly bedding lover, Ravi, and they were plotting to steal Ranveer’s money! Once his body is found this week, how far will Nina go to get away with murder? Hi Hersha! Are you enjoying playing a bad doctor? Yes! It’s been fun to turn the stereotype of a sensible female South Asian doctor on its head – and playing a baddie who gets up to no good with her secret lover in the surgery has been quite fun! How did the viewers react to the twist that Nina was in on Ranveer’s murder?…

Mick Carter walks back into lovelorn Linda’s life this week – only to discover Alfie’s made himself right at home behind the bar. Mick and pregnant Janine turn up just as Linda is having a whale of a time, thanks to joker Alfie’s japes and scrapes. Although they both love other people, there’s no denying the great chemistry the two new friends share. So, when Mick arrives and sees Alfie and Linda’s strong bond, he gets a touch of the green-eyed monster… “Mick is used to being the main man behind the bar and in Linda’s life, so he’s not impressed by Alfie,” warns our Walford insider. “He’s only been gone a couple of weeks, and some muppet is charming his punters and flirting with his ex-missus. Mick’s been trying…

Protective Kim clearly wants to prove to Will how important her newfound family is, so if Alex remains resolute in the face of the Taylors’ taunts, it’s anyone’s guess what she’d do to eradicate the threat for good. And who knows what Dawn could be driven to in order to keep her kids together, and how far Billy and Will would go to ensure their safety. With so many grudges building up against Alex, it’s starting to feel as if Emmerdale is lining up the potential suspects for their next big ‘whodunnit?’ plot. Antagonistic Alex will regret crossing Kim – could he pay the price with his life?…

BEST ACTOR BEST STORYLINE MARK CHARNOCK Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale BEST ROMANCE MARK CHARNOCK & ZOE HENRY Marlon Dingle & Rhona Goskirk, Emmerdale Emmerdale’s sometimes harrowing, often uplifting stroke storyline dominated the Awards this year. It’s scooped star Mark Charnock no less than three gongs – for Best Actor and Best Storyline, as well as Best Romance alongside co-star Zoe Henry… Congratulations, Mark! What do these wins mean to you? It’s just jaw-dropping! I’m not going to lie, I’m really thrilled. I read Inside Soap, so this is a big deal for me. It’s so emotional to win a viewer vote. How did you feel when Marlon’s stroke was first pitched to you by the Emmerdale bosses? I was quite intimidated by it, because I wanted to get it right for…

BEST DOUBLE ACT ANNA PASSEY & KIERON RICHARDSON Sienna Blake & Ste Hay, Hollyoaks This year’s Best Double Act trophy was solely for a non-romantic pairing, and was the most closely run category in the entire awards. Hollyoaks duo Anna Passey and Kieron Richardson triumphed for Sienna and Ste’s unlikely on-screen friendship – and real-life mates Anna and Kieron couldn’t be more thrilled about their big win… Do you have as much fun filming Ste and Sienna’s scenes as us viewers have watching them? Anna It’s genuinely the most fun I’ve ever had at work! So to win an award for it is the cherry on top – it’s very unexpected, but so exciting. Kieron The world we live in is quite dark and depressing right now, and for us…

SUNDAY 30 October ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU Channel 4 8PM There’s a rather poignant ‘au revoir’ in store as we’re reunited with Dick and Angel Strawbridge at their stunning French chateau for a ninth – and final – series tracking the renovation adventures of their beautiful countryside pile. However, it’s set to be a celebratory end, as the Chateau reopens its enormous doors for business after two years of closure for yet more unforgettable weddings and events – and, of course, the traditional Christmas extravaganza. Meanwhile, there’s still plenty of work to be done, as Dick unearths a folly hidden by ivy in his Walled Garden – and Angel transforms the Chateau’s cider store into a wondrous Wedding Workshop… I’M A CELEBRITY: ALL TIME FUNNIEST MOMENTS Channel 5 9PM As…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines Hot THIS WEEK! ITV MONDAY Prepare for bloodshed in the Dales this week, as Cain finds out about Al’s affair with Chas – and goes after him with a gun! Furious that Al has had the audacity to wreck his sister’s marriage, Cain kidnaps the love rat and holds him at gunpoint. It’s clear the Dingle hardman means business – but when there’s a tussle for the weapon, shots are fired… “Cain warns Al not to turn his back on him, or he’ll use the gun!” reveals Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain. “Al’s quite a cool customer – he probably thinks Cain isn’t going to use it. But things get very messy!” “Al thinks Cain won’t use the gun…” AFFAIR REVEALED The drama kicks…

ITV WEDNESDAY Hi Alan, can you believe John Stape is back in Fiz and Ty’s lives? When I first heard about it, I thought, ‘John Stape is dead!’ because we didn’t know how it would work. But the great thing about this show is there’s so much history, we can come back to things [like John Stape] which impact Fiz and Ty’s lives years later. It’s an incredible part of why Corrie is so great. Are you glad they haven’t settled into a quiet life now that they are back together? We live in this world where we think everyone’s lives are perfect because of what we see on social media – so it’s nice to show the other side of that. There’s a long history of love between Fiz…

INSIDE gossipCORONATION STREET Ken Barlow will be at the centre of a new Corrie love triangle – after ex-mistress Martha Frazer sails back into his life on her canal barge! Just as Ken looks set to make a go of it with old flame Wendy Crozier, Dynasty legend Stephanie Beacham will reprise her role as the other woman who came between him and wife Deirdre. Will Martha be set to wrestle Ken away from Wendy? “I was delighted when Wendy came back into Ken’s life; I love that the writers are drawing on the rich history of Ken’s past to come up with these stories,” grins William Roache, who plays the street Lothario. “When I found out that Martha was also going to make a return I was thrilled, but…

New millennium Congratulations to star Kellie Bright, who recently celebrated filming her 1,000th episode as Linda on EastEnders. When being presented with flowers on set the actress said, “I thought they were winding me up!” Welcome home! The McQueen brothers are set to be reunited in Hollyoaks when Hunter returns to join brother Prince in Chester. Star Theo Graham, who plays Hunter, tells us that he “definitely arrives back with a bang!” Romance for Mary? Dales star Louise Jameson tells us that the soap is currently in the process of casting a new love interest for an established character. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Mary is going to get a regular partner!” she confesses.…

Harriet didn’t really stand a chance after she fell off that quad bike, did she? It’s a shame her journey came to an end, but I feel as though they were running out of options with her character… Louisa The storm episodes were fantastic, and all I can think about was how much work must have gone on behind the scenes. From the ‘cow cam’ to the stunt doubles and special effects – it was marvellous. Big shout-out to everyone behind the cameras for all their hard work. George I really didn’t expect Sam to have such a gruesome accident – it was horrible! And what a shock for Lydia to find him there at the hospital, after she did such a good deed for Amelia. With any luck the…

WHO NEEDS HOSPITAL? Having a baby aged 16 isn’t easy, but giving birth in the local fried chicken place at that age is the stuff of nightmares. Still, with the help of amateur midwife Cora Cross, Lola delivered baby Lexi on the fast food joint’s floor – and didn’t even pause for nuggets. ESCAPING A GIRL GANG Impressionable Lola fell in with a bad lot thanks to old pal Alexa. But when the group started bullying Abi, the youngster found her limit. After Abi was attacked, Lola squared up to Alexa and ended up being arrested for punching her. It cost her plenty, although Lola left the gang behind. FIGHTING PHIL FOR LEXI Lola’s life fell apart when Lexi was taken into care, and Phil became her kinship foster carer.…

BEST ACTRESS BEST SHOWSTOPPER GILLIAN WRIGHT Jean Slater, EastEnders Poor Jean has been to hell and back in the past year, as she battled a devastating bipolar episode that almost ended in her losing her life. But the tragic scenes in Southend have earned star Gillian a gong for Best Showstopper, as well as Best Actress. It’s not the first time Gillian has picked up an Inside Soap Award, but she tells us these ones are extra special… Hi, Gillian! The episode with Jean in Southend has been voted Best Showstopper – how did you feel when it was pitched to you? It was my idea! That’s why this award means so much to me. I pitched it to the bosses thinking, ‘There’s no way they will do it’. But…

BEST YOUNG PERFORMANCE ISABELLA FLANAGAN Hope Stape, Coronation Street The Flanagans are no strangers to showbiz – with Isabella’s two siblings also being regulars on soap. But this year, it’s 11-year-old Isabella who took centre stage at the Inside Soap Awards after bagging the trophy for Best Young Performance… “I can’t believe I’m here – this is absolutely ace!” exclaims Isabella. “It was a bit awkward going up against my sister [Amelia, who plays April in Emmerdale], but she’s amazing. We have a corridor at home with Amelia’s awards all lined up, so now I can put mine there too.” It’s no surprise that Hope has caught the attention of viewers with her mischievous antics getting more outrageous over the course of the year – from leading Joseph and Sam…

While the subject matter of WWII is of course horrendously bleak, writer Steven Knight felt it was important to add humour by giving the characters some truly witty lines… “We did a screening to former members of the SAS, and they loved it,” he tells us. “The first thing they said was that the humour is authentic. In that moment of bleakness, there can be funniness. My task was to try to balance seeing the horror with how humans react to it. “This is a group of young blokes facing up to terrible torment and suffering,” adds Steven. “But there is a source of camaraderie that comes out of that. And the more that, at the least likely moment, a line comes through that makes people laugh, the happier I…

Maria is currently dispensing wise words of advice for celeb couples on BBC1 series Unbreakable – and here, she shares warm words of adoration for her favourite television shows… What’s the best thing about working on Unbreakable? The most interesting thing for me is seeing how the couples react to each other under pressure. They throw themselves in – they all want to prove they have the formula right. But I don’t think any of us do; relationships are constantly a work in progress. Which shows have you been enjoying on TV most recently? I very much enjoyed Succession, I thought it was marvellous. I also love The Morning Show, and Call My Agent! has made me laugh out loud. It’s such a great show. You don’t have to be…

ACROSS 4 & 22A The second actor to play 3D in Corrie (5,5)9 See 19A10 & 33A Actor who played the Street’s 8D (6,6)11 See 16A12 Item of Hayley Cropper’s clothing accidentally donated to a charity shop in Corrie (4)14 Secondhand, like the vehicles sold on the car lot in Albert Square (4)15 & 34D Suki’s estranged husband, just released from jail in EastEnders (4,7)16 & 11A Actor who played Hollyoaks murderer Silas Blissett (4,5)17 Current version of the Turpin Road nightclub in Walford, run by Sam Mitchell (6)18 Kat was disgusted at the idea Alfie could be someone else’s __ in EastEnders (6)19 & 9A Corrie kid who has been writing to his mother’s killer in prison (3,8)22 See 4A24 See 39A26 __ Brunt, plays cuckolded Dales husband Paddy…

CASUALTY Paige Allcott ...... Shalisha James-DavisSah Brockner ................ Arin SmethurstFaith Cadogan .................Kirsty MitchellIain Dean .................Michael StevensonCharlie Fairhead ........ Derek ThompsonTeddy Gowan ...................... Milo ClarkeEthan Hardy ............... George RainsfordDavid Hide ........................... Jason DurrJan Jenning ..........................Di BotcherDylan Keogh......................William BeckMarty Kirkby ........... Shaheen JafargholiRash Masum ...................... Neet MohanJacob Masters ..................Charles VennRobyn Miller .......... Amanda HendersonStevie Nash .................... Elinor Lawless CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan ....................Adam HussainAsha Alahan ................... Tanisha GoreyDev Alahan ................. Jimmi HarkishinAggie Bailey .................... Lorna LaidlawEd Bailey .......... Trevor Michael GeorgesDee-Dee Bailey Channique Sterling-BrownMichael Bailey .................. Ryan RussellRonnie Bailey ................... Vinta MorganAdam Barlow ............ Samuel RobertsonAmy Barlow ..................... Elle MulvaneyCarla Barlow ........................ Alison KingKen Barlow ................... William RoachePeter Barlow ................. Chris GascoyneSarah Barlow ..................... Tina O’BrienSimon Barlow .........................Alex BainLeanne Battersby .............. Jane DansonToyah Battersby .............. Georgia TaylorSam Blakeman .................Jude RiordanChesney Brown ....................…

Next issue... EMMERDALE Nicola is forced to muster every last ounce of courage she has next week, as she faces the terrifying prospect of looking her attackers in the eye in court. Both Naomi and gang ringleader Saskia are in the dock, yet neither of them is willing to admit to their part in the terrible assault that left poor Nicola traumatised. So how will Nicola cope in the face of their awful lies? Will she find the strength to face them – or crumble under the pressure? CORRIE On Fern’s trail! Bernine is determined to track down con-artist Fern next week – and her quest leads her to one of Fern’s old acquaintances! But can the person in question help, or are they just as shifty as Fern? EASTENDERS…

Suki’s worst nightmare comes true this week, after the police arrive with news that Ranveer’s body has been found! Suki believes she killed Ranveer in self-defence, when actually it was Ravi who delivered the fatal blow. Can the steely matriarch hold her nerve after she’s hauled in for a grilling? Meanwhile, conspirators Ravi and Nina plot to ensure neither of them ends up in handcuffs – which could see Suki take the rap for their crime… “Suki behaves as if she’s made of Teflon – but fronting out a murder probe is going to test her mettle,” explains our Walford insider. “Suki’s mental health has suffered tremendously since Ravi coerced her into covering up Ranveer’s death, and without secret lover Eve for support, Suki would have cracked up. She’s had…

It’s already the most wonderful time of the year on the cobbles – judging by this merry pic of the Grimshaw household having a Corrie jolly Christmas! The Street has been busy filming its festive episodes due to hit our screens in December, and Eileen is set to have a house full… “The fact that Glenda is wearing a Chrimbo apron suggests that she’ll totally take charge of Eileen’s kitchen,” sniggers our Weatherfield insider. “It could go one of two ways after George’s better half has her brush with death; Eileen will either welcome his sister’s offer to do the cooking, or be ready to knock the stuffing balls out of her!”…

“My Alfie were a beggar for custard. We were out with these local dignitaries, and he spotted a bowl left on the table… When I turned round, he’d gone green and had to dash to the loo. I thought, ‘Oh my goodness it must have gone off ’, so I gave it a sniff and it was hollandaise sauce that had been left from the mains!” This is all we really want from Corrie. “Of all the problems we thought we might have, your mum sleeping with my wife wasn’t one of them.” Could happen to anyone! “He needs to get over it. You need to tell the kid, ‘Your mum’s dead – move on’.” And he seems so nice on Strictly. “Like getting pregnant with her…

Channel 5 WEDNESDAY Ziggy refuses to be held back because of her pregnancy this week, but a shock collapse could change everything… Continuing to surf and work at the garage, Ziggy is still going full steam ahead. And despite agreeing with Dean to tell Justin about the pregnancy, she decides to keep quiet when her boss offers her a promotion. But later on, at the garage, Ziggy becomes distracted and collapses after accidentally breathing in chemical solvent! Will she and her baby survive?…

FAIR CITY • Carol lies to Rafferty about Dermot’s location this week, while she and Zoe attempt to find him. Meanwhile, Hayley refuses to believe that Anto is serious about his marriage being over…And Zak tells Dearbhla that he is now a career criminal! RIVER CITY • Mikey’s search for the truth takes a dramatic turn this week, when Mulvaney delivers his much longed-for birth certificate. Elsewhere, Scarlett asks Andrew if he can help Lydia financially, but he declines! Plus, Nicole and Tyler hope to make a fresh start. THE ARCHERS • Chelsea feels nervous this week as she makes one of the most important decisions of her life – and looks to her future! Meanwhile, drama at Lower Loxley threatens Vince and Elizabeth’s reunion. Finally, Jolene may have got…

Syd is delighted when Angie invites him out this week, and soon the pair are getting hot and sweaty together. Sadly, a bike ride up hill and down Dales wasn’t quite the vigorous activity Syd had in mind. But it turns out that Angie was just test-driving him, as she later suggests the pair should head upstairs for a ‘lie down’ after all that exertion. But the wheels rather come off this new romance once Cain spots them together. Angie makes a big show of planting a smacker on her sexy new toyboy just when she knows her ex is passing, and we begin to wonder what her true motivations are. Elsewhere, Zoe is becoming obsessed over who the father of her baby could be, regarding every passing delivery driver…

SUBLIME LIME As a plus-sized woman, I’ve become obsessed with Lizzie’s style in Hollyoaks – and I really want the matching shirt and trousers she wore recently. Do you know where I can find them? Chrissie I do! Head to ASOS.com for the ‘Extro & Vert Plus oversized plisse shirt in lime green co-ord’. The brightly coloured set ranges from sizes 18 up to 28. ANGRY CATTLE… Seeing the cow stampede in Emmerdale got me wondering if there have been any other animal-related deaths on soap operas? Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any! Ronald, Bath The only animal-related death that we could find was Denis Rigg in 1989, which also happened in Emmerdale! Denis was known in the village as the ruthless businessman,…

BEST VILLAIN PAIGE SANDHU Meena Jutla, Emmerdale It’s the second year in a row that viewers have voted Emmerdale serial killer Meena Jutla as their best villain – and Paige Sandhu, who left the soap earlier this year, reckons her psychotic alter ego would be delighted. “I always feel as though my characters are real,” Paige tells us. “And if Meena was a real person, she would want to win this award. So I love it, of course! “I’m surprised, though, seeing as I haven’t been on screen for a while – I thought the viewers might have forgotten about me,” she adds. “This means a lot to me as I had fun playing Meena, and poured my heart and soul into her. And it’s great the audience enjoyed it,…

BEST NEWCOMER HEATHER PEACE Eve Unwin, EastEnders Just two weeks shy of her first EastEnders anniversary, your votes bagged Heather Peace our coveted Best Newcomer award. The humble star was thrilled to be handed her trophy, so we caught up with her to find out how it feels to be a solid-gold winner. “I’m made up!” Heather tells us. “I’ve been in this business for over 20 years, and people always warned me, ‘Beware your 40s!’ There’s a casting blind spot where people think you are too old to play the love interest and not old enough to be the matriarch, but it’s not the case in soap. With Eve, I’ve been given a gift – no part has ever felt so right.” Strangely, Heather nearly didn’t play Eve due…

In this moving new documentary, actor Jimmy Akingbola shares his story about being uprooted from his Nigerian family and homed with a white foster family from the age of two. And for Jimmy – who says of his experience, “it was such a beautiful upbringing” – it was important to show a positive side of growing up in the British care system… “When it comes to care stories, it’s always negative,” shares the Sorry, I Didn’t Know host. “And I know there are a lot of hurdles people have to go through in care. But that’s not the full story. For me, it was really important to tell another side – why don’t I see stuff in the news about people like my amazing foster family, or about foster homes…

Disney+ HOCUS POCUS 2 It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th century Sanderson Sisters, and they are looking for revenge! Now it’s up to three high school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. NETFLIX THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they’re swept away into an enchanted school – where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance of good and evil. BOOK MURDER IN THE FALLING SNOW: TEN CLASSIC CRIME STORIES It’s only the afternoon, but dusk is already falling and…

BULLSEYE! “Hopefully I won’t be harpooned or decapitated!” quipped Mary, rather knowingly – the only Emmerdale villager with the sense to point out why venturing into an apocalyptic storm was a bad idea. For that, she shares our bullseye with Kim Tate, aka ‘the Terminator’, whose heavy lifting for the 50th went far beyond pulling Harriet free from a 600lb quad bike. Take a bow, ladies! The Dingles’ week cut straight from Liv’s tragic death to Eve’s unicorn birthday party. But hey, that’s showbiz! And now, the healing shall begin. Harriet died for her sins; but vicar Charles had it worse – he was lumbered with Nicola. Emmerdale having Vinny renovate a caravan just so it could ultimately crush his wife to death was the ultimate troll. Lambs to the…