Emmerdale baby plot, Coronation Street Toyah latest, Hollyoaks exit – the week’s biggest soaps news
All of the week's major stories.
Our favourite soaps continued to hit the headlines this week, as Emmerdale announced some of its biggest storylines for the coming months, Coronation Street paparazzi pictures confirmed a much-discussed tabloid rumour, and Hollyoaks made a controversial axing decision.
But with so much going on, did you miss any gossip? Just in case you did, here’s our round-up of the biggest soaps news which came our way this week – and our reaction to the major headlines.
Emmerdale’s big spring storylines
It was Emmerdale press day on Monday (April 8), which meant that Digital Spy and other media were invited up to the show’s studio in Leeds to hear lots of gossip for the months ahead.
We always love a longer-term spoiler, so the highlight for us was Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw announcing the major storylines which will take centre stage in the next few weeks and beyond.
The most notable headline was the sad news that Dawn and Billy Fletcher’s baby son Evan will be diagnosed with leukaemia in a few weeks’ time. Show bosses have been working closely with the charity Leukaemia Care on the scenes, which will mark the beginning of a long-running storyline.
We chatted to Olivia Bromley and Jay Kontzle, who play Dawn and Billy, and their thoughts will appear here on Digital Spy in the coming weeks. There were also plenty more cast doing interviews, so you can expect a steady stream of Emmerdale content coming your way on these pages across the next month or so.
Other big storyline revelations included a special standalone episode coming up for Tom and Belle’s domestic abuse story, teasers on two weddings, a possible death in a new accident drama, and the arrival of former Casualty star Christine Tremarco as a face from Will’s past. Busy times ahead for the village!
Coronation Street’s Toyah storyline confirmed
The rumoured Coronation Street storyline involving Toyah Battersby’s tragic past seemingly became a reality this week, as paparazzi pictures were released showing Georgia Taylor filming on location.
Tabloid reports had previously revealed that Toyah secretly became pregnant after being raped by Phil Simmonds in 2001.
The new story is expected to reveal that Toyah’s baby was stillborn and she buried the child in a park, leading to emotional scenes in the present day when she finds out the land is due to be dug up.
With fans unhappy over how the dark story could mess with established continuity, there had been some calls for Corrie to not proceed with the plot. However, paparazzi pictures showed that filming has already begun, with Toyah seen clutching a shovel during a tense moment in a park.
Digital Spy understands that these scenes were filmed a while ago and will appear on screen soon.
Hollyoaks axes Cindy Cunningham
Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring revealed one of the show’s most shocking casting updates this week, announcing that she has been axed from her role as Cindy Cunningham after 28 years.
Cindy’s departure is part of the ongoing cast and crew cuts at Hollyoaks, which is going through a very public downsizing process following Channel 4’s decision to reduce the number of weekly episodes to three from September.
Stephanie’s candid statement on social media was an emotional read for many long-term fans, who’ve watched her playing Cindy since 1996.
Her message to fans did seem to indicate that she was the only cast member from the soap’s very early days who’s affected by the changes. Even so, if a big-name character like Cindy can be shown the door, it’s hard not to wonder which other popular characters could be saying a sad goodbye this autumn.
EastEnders announces emotional story
EastEnders has now shared the details of its rare hour-long episode, which airs next Wednesday (April 17).
The extended edition of the soap will see Yolande Trueman left devastated as she’s sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton, who had become her close friend and confidant in recent months.
In an unusual move, the episode will also include powerful flashback accounts from other women who have been assaulted by the Pastor in previous incidents.
We also shared some interview quotes from Angela Wynter, who plays Yolande, about the storyline and you can read her thoughts right here.
Coronation Street’s casting news
We were delighted by the recent news that DS Swain has been promoted to a Corrie regular, although we had started to wonder whether her stories would ever progress beyond wrongly accusing our favourite characters of terrible crimes.
Fortunately, it sounds like there’ll be a change coming for Swain as the storyliners start to explore her home life for the first time.
Vicky Myers, who plays Swain, announced that Corrie bosses are currently casting for her character’s 16-year-old daughter, described as “feisty, opinionated and educated”.
Meanwhile, evil Nathan Curtis has been tipped for a sinister return – could he be connected with Lauren Bolton’s disappearance?
Neighbours brings back Harold
Neighbours kicked the week off with exciting news, revealing that Aussie soap legend Harold Bishop will be moving back to Erinsborough on a permanent basis and reclaiming his position in the show’s opening titles.
Harold has appeared for guest stints in recent memory, including in the first few weeks of the current revival season, but this will be the first time in 15 years that he’s lived in Erinsborough permanently.
It sounds as though Harold will be taking up home in the new Eirini Rising retirement building – and he won’t be the only familiar face to do so. Sounds like the perfect way to reintroduce some of the soap’s biggest icons in a smart move for the show.
Home and Away joy for Leah and Justin
Home and Away aired one of its most highly-anticipated weddings on Australian screens this week, as Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan finally tied the knot.
The couple had faced plenty of hurdles in the build-up to the big day, but the ceremony itself went off without a hitch – a move warmly praised by Ada Nicodemou, who plays Leah.
UK fans can expect to see the episode on Channel 5 on May 29.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
