Inside Soap UK 13 - 2022

“The pay-off should appear inescapable” The perfect storyline should be built like a mouse trap. I don’t mean the basic cartoon kind with the sprung wire that always ends up on Tom’s nose while Jerry runs off with the cheese. No, a soap plot should be like the game ‘Mouse Trap’, where you crank the handle slowly, then all kinds of bizarre events unfold – a ball runs along guttering, a man jumps into a bath – before the trap finally falls. The ultimate pay-off should appear inescapable, however absurd the journey to get there. With Corrie’s Toyah set to learn Abi’s baby secret at any moment, we can marvel at the ‘Mouse Trap’ plotting that brought us here. Roy Cropper finding a brother. Nina coming to stay, Seb falling…

Rainie and Stuart’s surrogate Bernie makes a shock return to Walford this week – and promptly goes into labour! Poor Rainie has been sick with worry since Bernie’s been away, wondering if the pregnant teen has changed her mind about handing over her baby once it’s born. But as Bernie discovers the shocking truth about Stuart’s cancer diagnosis, might the news make her reconsider whether the Highways can give their baby the future he deserves? “Bernie comes back thinking that she’s in control of the situation – but it’s never that straightforward in Walford, is it?” grins returning EastEnders star Clair Norris, who plays her. “The first thing Bernie says to her mum is, ‘I’m definitely going to give them the baby, you don’t need to worry that I’ve become…

How does it feel to be back? Great! It was a six-month break, so I was nervous to return and learn lines again. But it feels as if I’ve not been away! Did you watch the show while you were off? Yes, just to keep in the loop of what’s going on – especially with the climax of the Gray story, which was amazing. It was really nice to watch it as a viewer again, and come to it completely fresh. Have things changed much since you’ve been away? It’s been strange not to have Toby [Alexander-Smith, who played Gray], Zack [Morris, aka Keegan] and Maisie [Smith, who plays Tiff] around, they’re so missed. But the new set looks really cool, there’s some nice features. It’s good to have something…

The shocking truth about baby Alfie’s paternity is exposed this week, when Kevin sees the little lad’s birth certificate with Imran’s name on it! He can’t believe his eyes once Toyah tips him off that Abi’s hiding a suspect package and – instead of the drugs which he expects to find – he discovers the incriminating paperwork. Toyah herself is still blissfully ignorant, but now Kevin knows, it can surely only be a matter of time before Imran’s secret is blown wide open… “It’s the ultimate betrayal and, for Toyah, it’s the most heartbreaking thing that could happen to her,” shares Georgia Taylor, who plays her. “Nobody likes to be cheated on, but the fact that it resulted in a baby, the one thing Toyah can’t give Imran, is going…

Everyone is so focused on Toyah kicking Imran to the kerb over the Alfie secret, but what if she tackles the bombshell in a different way? While Georgia admits there will be hurt, tears and fury, she also says that creating a family with Imran, Elsie, and a new baby could suit Toyah very well. “Could they be the family she’s always wanted? That’s definitely possible!” teases the star. “Toyah will have to make amends with the fact that Alfie will always be Imran’s biologically, but not hers – so there’s that to contend with. “Toyah will always feel the odd one out, which I think is something interesting to explore in terms of blended families. It’s a modern predicament that many people find themselves in. The story there could…

Rhona is still reeling from the shock of Marlon’s stroke this week – but with the chef refusing to see anyone other than her, Rhona feels the pressure as she tries to do everything herself. It’s a desperately sad situation, and there’s currently no sign of light at the end of the tunnel for the couple. Emmerdale star Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona, tells us that her alter ego is going to need all the help and support she can get in the coming weeks… Hi, Zoe. How is Rhona coping in the aftermath of Marlon’s stroke? She’s still in shock. Getting through this is going to take a superhuman effort from her; Rhona’s just trying to keep all these plates spinning. Also, frightened is the key word in all…