Inside Soap UK 50/51 - 2016

Christmas comes but once a year, so they say – and thank the baby Jesus it does, as we are exhausted from putting together this drama-packed, full-to-the-brim, bursting-at-the-seams Christmas issue! I don’t think I’ll be able to muster that much energy for at least another year. As well as a preview of this year’s festive snogs, barneys and betrayals, we spent a bit of quality time with some of your favourite stars for our special Christmas photo shoots, in addition to pulling together the highlights of non-soap telly (yes, such a thing does actually exist!) and your bumper 14-day TV listings. Phew! So all that’s left for me to do now is to leave you and yours with one Christmas wish – that the only dramas you encounter this Yuletide…

There’s a Christmas bombshell on its way to decimate Walford this fortnight, as Max Branning storms back into the Square! He’s stayed well away from Walford since being released from prison and cleared of the murder of Lucy Beale – following the revelation that it was young Bobby who did the deed. But innocent Max spent almost a year inside after the police made their case, and ever since the truth came out, he has been waiting for the moment to return to plague those who happily saw him banged up for life. That means these guilty folk are going to be choking on their turkey when they realise the time may have come for them to pay for their actions… BEALES BEWARE! Ian and Jane Beale will be shaking…

What would you buy for Abi this Christmas? Ooh, I’d buy her lots! Maybe some new clothes and make-up, I think she needs that. And I’d love to get her a new gerbil or a dog! What do you want as a Christmas gift this year? I really want a pair of knee-high boots. Although I’d love someone to get me an all-inclusive holiday in a five-star resort – somewhere really hot and luxurious. Which cast member would you want to be secret Santa for? I’d pick June Brown [aka Dot] and get her something sassy. If I had an unlimited budget, I’d go for something sparkly with lots of diamonds!…

“MICK IS TERRIFIED - HE KNOWS JUST HOW DARK LEE’S DEPRESSION GETS” Tortured Lee Carter ends up on the roof of the Vic this Christmas – as the pressure of his debts and his battle with depression threaten to overwhelm him. Lee has been lying about his job and the money he’s earning for months, though wife Whitney has no idea of the true state of their finances. Meanwhile, desperate Lee has been taking out payday loans, and has even resorted to stealing money to keep them afloat. With the stress mounting, Lee is dangerously close to cracking – as worried Whitney tries to get to the bottom of what is wrong with her hubby. “These two should be looking forward to a wonderful first Christmas as a married couple,…

Mick is determined to deliver a traditional fun-filled Christmas this fortnight, but little does he know there’s something set to scupper his plans! The celebrations begin in earnest at the Vic, as Tina and Aunt Babe entertain the local kids and Mick makes a grand entrance as Santa Claus, much to their guests’ delight. But behind the scenes at the pub, Mick and Linda are worried sick about little Ollie, who faces a challenging new year. The Carter couple are desperate to find out more about how their little lad is doing. But doctors inform them that Ollie’s latest round of tests won’t take place until next year – leaving them without any answers. Nevertheless, the pair remain determined to give Ollie a great Christmas. Knowing Linda isn’t feeling the…

Dying Phil faces his last Christmas this fortnight, as he reveals to his family that he has no fight left in him. While the Mitchell clan are clinging on to the hope that a liver donor will be found for Phil, the man himself has given up believing in Christmas miracles. Worse still, he’s all but completely checked out of dealing with family business, leaving Sharon to handle the many Mitchell issues alone. “This is a bleak midwinter for Phil,” says our Walford source. “He knows just how slim his chances of survival are now – and while he’s trying to manage his own emotions about dying, he’s also having to deal with his devastated wife and kids. Phil knows he’s done this to himself, and that is as agonising…