Inside Soap UK 25 - 2017

“Don’t miss our brill competition!” We’re into our second week of 25th birthday celebrations, and we don’t even have a hangover! (Yet. We’ll save the hangover for the Inside Soap office birthday do, which like all big parties on soaps, will end up with a big argument, a shock revelation and probably two people copping off who shouldn’t be.) This week, in another bumper-sized issue, it’s EastEnders’ turn, and we were delighted to have an audience with two Walford legends – Natalie Cassidy and Dean Gaffney, aka Sonia Fowler and Robbie Jackson – who return to Albert Square this week. They tell us all about spending over two decades both in and out of EastEnders. Meanwhile, please don’t miss our simply brilliant competition, which could see you getting a grand…

Rhona is pushed to breaking point this week, after a string of sinister incidents leave her convinced that Pierce has broken into her home. This latest terror comes just as Rhona finally decides to put those around her straight about her estranged husband’s true colours. So when it looks as though her dangerous ex has secretly returned to the village to continue making her life a living hell, Rhona is beside herself… “Rhona is fragile and volatile – she doesn’t really know what to do any more,” sighs Zoe Henry, who plays her. “She wants to be independent and stay living at home with her little boy Leo, but she’s frightened all the time. She’s got Leo sleeping in her bed, and she’s locking all the doors and windows. She’s…

If Pierce is the culprit behind the strange incidents taking place at Rhona’s house, will he ever leave his poor victim alone? While we’re in no doubt that Pierce is a dangerous man, we still can’t guess how bad the already dreadful situation might get… “I think that Pierce is capable of worse,” insists Zoe. “I reckon that they’re all in danger – not just Rhona, but Vanessa, Leo, Paddy and Marlon. What’s clever is that Pierce is still a relatively new person on the scene. We’ve known him for almost a year and a half, yet nobody is aware of exactly what he’s capable of.” With Jonathan Wrather, who plays Pierce, having recently revealed that his alter ego’s mysterious mother Martha is set to make a return to the…

“Eva thinks it’s only fair that Aidan gets his just deserts!” Eva gets the worst welcome home in history this week, when she returns from France and finally realises that Aidan has been sleeping with Maria! Newly engaged Eva has been on cloud nine since Aidan accepted her wacky Mexican proposal, and can’t wait to become Mrs Connor. But when she gets home after visiting her mum, she learns Aidan has been cheating – and has to choose whether to confront him or play the long game… “We won’t reveal exactly how poor Eva discovers the affair, but it is brutal and totally unexpected!” teases our Corrie insider. “She’s obviously devastated. All this time she thought Aidan was the perfect man – but now she feels an idiot for pushing…

As fierce as Eva becomes when she decides to make Aidan pay for his betrayal, the heartbroken bride-to-be is struggling to hold back the tears in his presence. But star Catherine Tyldesley is confident that her character will overcome her misery and rise from the ashes. “She is her mother’s daughter and Stella was a strong, feisty woman – that’s what Coronation Street does best,” praises the actress. “They write wonderful female characters. Growing up, Liz McDonald was always an important figure for me – I still love her now and the phenomenal outfits she wears! I think Eva will come out of this a lot tougher, and hopefully more independent.” Catherine reveals what the future holds for Eva in our big interview on p38…

“Who knows how long frightened Dot might have been left there?” Poor Dot suffers a horrifying fall at home this week – and only her old friend Sonia can save her! Badly injured and totally alone after tripping over her beloved kitty Dave, Dot is left lying on her kitchen floor for hours, desperate for someone to find her. And her saviour comes in the form of Sonia, who makes a return to the Square in the nick of time. She’s horrified to find her pal in such a dire predicament – and as frail Dot is rushed to hospital, Sonia proceeds to tear a strip off several guilty locals for their neglect… “Nobody has been keeping an eye on Dot, and Sonia is on the warpath!” seethes our Walford…