UK Soap Bitches

Two Soap characters have been really bugging me at the moment. The first is Maddie Morrison (Scarlett Bowman) from Hollyoaks, Channel 4 mon-fri 6:30pm, the second, Katie Macey (Sammie Winward) from Emmerdale, ITV1 mon-fri 7pm, thurs 7pm and 8pm.

Malicious Maddie
Image Source www.e4.com

Maddie, along with her cackling bum lickers, Ruby and Sinead, has been a total bitch to poor Esther Bloom. The bullying displayed is in its vilest form... internet trolling, fake friend identity, turning people against Esther with malicious lies and more. Scarlett plays the character so well you just want to slap her.

Katty Katie

Bitch number two, bloody Katie 'newlywed' Macey! Ever since the equestrian businesswoman hooked up with Declan Macey her character has become so full of herself, its hard to believe she was once the loveable Katie. In tonight's episode (Wednesday 7^th November), I was proud of mousey Gennie giving Katie a verbal slap down, it was long overdue. There she was ranting about Chas's affairs and scolding Gennie for knowing beforehand and not telling her. I was like “Hello!”. Is this the same Katie that slept with her brother-in-law and gave a baby away in a shady surrogacy deal on a moral high horse?

This month sees both soaps with big storylines that will have an impact on these bitches. Next week in Hollyoaks there will be a crash involving the student characters. I'm really hoping Maddie suffers in some way because I can't stand her manipulating any more. Later in the month, in Emmerdale, Katie will fall down a mineshaft which will threaten her life. Her character won't die but at least she'll be brought down to earth, the cheeky mare.

Are Emmerdale's Carl King's Days Numbered?

Emmerdale fans have been promised a treat of sensational drama in their upcoming 40th anniversary episode in October.  Two births (Gennie and Debbie), two weddings (Declan and Katie and Chas and Dan) and a 'shocking, unexpected' death of a male character.  Of course, producers want to keep tight lipped about the character meeting their TV maker for the shock value and high viewing figures.

Emmedale Shock Death
Image Source : www.digitalspy.co.uk

Like every other fan, I've been pondering as to which character will kick the bucket and when the Daily Star suggested that the character was 'nasty' and will face the wrath of the TV heavens, I automatically thought...Cain Dingle.  However, the recent storyline of Carl King, played by Tom Lister, discovering the affair of his former love, Chas Dingle and Cameron Murray has led me to believe that Carl is about to meet an untimely death, in order for that affair to be kept secret.

Is it the end for Carl (Tom Lister)?

Carl King has a nasty streak; blackmail, murder and downright cockiness, so he fits the frame neatly.  Tom Lister has spoke to the press about appearing in pantomime over the Christmas period so the clues are adding up. Will it be Chas or Cameron that 'does him in', in order to keep Debbie from knowing?  Will he meet a nasty accident on his way to expose his ex.  Or maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and it is Cain Dingle or even Declan.  Roll on October so we can find out, but my money's on the King boy.

Catch Emmerdale weekdays on ITV1 at 7pm

Long Lost Sisters, Athlete Jessica Ennis and Emmerdale Actress Charlotte Bellamy

CELEBRITY LOOKALIKE OF THE WEEK WITH AN OLYMPIC THEME 

Jessica Ennis MBE, Great Britains field and track athlete, currently taking part in the London 2012 Olympics has an uncanny resemblance to Emmerdale's Laurel Thomas, played by Charlotte Bellamy.  Take a look at the pictures below and make your own judgement.

Olympic Hopeful, Jessica Ennis

Actress Charlotte Bellamy

Male-Bashing Goes Rife In UK Soaps

Recent storylines in UK soaps has seen quite a number of male characters experiencing 'male-bashing'.

Alfie Moon played by Shane Ritchie

Poor Alfie in Eastenders (BBC1) is unaware that his beloved wife, Kat, is up to her cheating ways again. He goes out of his way, running around after and trying to please Kat, their son, Tommy (who is not biologically his), Kat's friends daughter, Shenice, grandmother-in-law, Mo, and extended family member, Jean, who is bipolar, only for Kat to treat him like a loyal mug and refute his romantic gestures.

Is Former vicar Ashley Being Punished By God?

Over on ITV1, in Emmerdale, there's Ashley Thomas who's paying a heavy price for the way how he victimised his elderly father. As if being thrown out of his family home, losing his job, being shunned by his friends and served with a divorce from wife Laurel wasn't enough. Scriptwriters furthered his agony by making him homeless, scavenging for food and harassed by ruthless teens only to be rescued by Marlon Dingle, the root of his down fall.

Fighting A Losing Battle, Peter Barlow

On ITV1, in Coronation Street, alcoholic Peter Barlow has lost his son to his ex, Leanne, who's now shacked up with her ex, Nick Tilsley and planning to leave the street. Peter hasn't been the best of father's but he genuinely loves curly Simon. Since gaining custody, Leanne has come down hard on the access Peter has with Simon, and when he is allowed time with the boy she undermines his authority and mocks him in front of Nick. I understand Peter treated her badly but the way she uses HIS child, not hers, to taunt him makes uncomfortable viewing and the storyline will strike a chord with father's fighting for access to visiting their children.  And not only does it look like Peter's losing his son, girlfriend Carla walked out on him in yesterday's episode.

Troubled Tyrone

Male bashing storyline of the week has to go to fellow Coronation Street resident, Tyrone Dobbs. At the time of publishing this post, Tyrone's latest suffering at the hands of his psycho pregnant girlfriend, Kirsty, hasn't been screened but from the exclusive clips I've seen Corrie fans are gonna be screaming at their TV sets when she hurls a treasured photo of Tyrone's late treasured surrogate father, Jack at him. How can anyone want to hurt Tyrone and when will he confide in somebody? Or will they surprisingly find out? Keep your eyes peeled.

Emmerdale Vicar Ashley Gets His Comeuppance

Well Emmerdale fans! This week (28/05/2012 – 01/06/2012) on the Dales we've seen Grandad beater, vicar Ashley Thomas' life take a dramatic downfall. Not only has he been turfed out of his former father-in-law, Rodney's house but after securing a secret job in a burger bar he was fired for stealing, in the presence of his estranged wife Laurel.

Troubled vicar Ashley Thomas

A lot of Emmerdale fans are split on whether to feel sorry for Ashley's character or feeling he's getting his comeuppance for his atrocious bullying behaviour towards his father, Sandy. I must say although I have a little teeny bit of sympathy for the vicar, the turn in his life is brilliant for the 'moralistic' character and great viewing for audiences. The whole community that once looked up to him have now turned against him. His daughter is so terrified of him she won't see him and worse of all... the reason for Ashley's personality transplant was triggered by the closeness between Laurel and pub chef Marlon. Now it looks as though their friendship is being rekindled and Ashley is having to watch it blossom unable to do anything.

It'll be interesting to see where writers take this storyline and how much more Ashley will suffer but I'm enjoying it immensely.

Messed Up Soap Times

What are TV channels doing to viewers changing the Soap times?  Coronation Street is on Monday to Friday this week (w/c 7th April) with Monday - Thursday episodes being screened at the later time of 9pm due to the fact Britain's Got Talent finals are going on.  Eastenders shifted their normal 8pm slot to 7:30 Bank Holiday Monday and the omnibus edition is shown after midnight on a Friday night instead of Sunday afternoon.  This is likely to be the case until after the Olympics finishes later on in the year.  Ridiculous.  Over on Channel 4, the Hollyoaks omnibus has shifted to E4 on Sundays at the crack of dawn in the morning.  As this soap has a huge teen following its pretty stupid to show Hollyoaks so early when most teens will be sleeping off a hard Saturday night.  The only soap that seems to be unaffected in Emmerdale, for now at least.

UK Soap Watch 2nd to 6th April 2012

EMMERDALE

C'est La Vie Aaron

Sad scenes as Aaron left the Dales this week to start a new life in Paris with boyfriend Ed. Leaving with a warrant out for his arrest for a crime he didn't commit has erupted chaos for the loved ones he's left behind. His poor mum Chas has lost her only son, fallen out with nearly everyone in the village and is getting too close to niece Debbie's boyfriend, Cameron. The heat between the pair turns up next week. It's all gonna end in tears.

Elsewhere in Emmerdale, busy body Brenda showed she wasn't such a “Miss Prim” as she had a one night stand with Eric Pollard and Ally revealed that she couldn't read to son Shaun. A lot of viewers are finding it hard to warm to the new family, just as they did all those years ago when the Dingles first arrived. Hopefully this storyline will create viewer empathy and a lot less shouting from the characters.

HOLLYOAKS

All The Ladies Love Riley

All the ladies are loving Riley Costello. Mercedes wants him back, Mitzeee wants her cousins love as well as the showbiz lifestyle. However, the only girl that stands a look in with the hunky footballer is nurse Lynsey. I want to know how a star player like Riley has so much time on his hands when its the middle of the football season.

Brendan the villain we love to hate

Bad boy Brendan is back on his evil form, bullying, intimidating and torturing American Doug. Desperate Doug wants to go in business with Ste, Brendan's former lover and Brendan wants to keep himself in Ste's life. Doug tried his best to pull out of Brendan's deal to be a silent investor and failed miserably. The Irish villain is a menace you'd never want to cross but a pleasure to watch.

CORONATION STREET

Lesley and Eileen

Eileen finally got her man, Paul as wife Lesley was put into a residential home. Obviously Paul is devastated that he has lost his wife to the mind robbing Alzheimers. Will he be able to fully commit to Eileen. God knows she deserves it.

Secret lovers Karl and Sunitta

Sultry Sunitta got her man, Karl after his missus Stella turfed him out for his secret debts and faking a robbery on the Rovers. With husband Dev and the kids on holiday, Sunitta was more than happy to offer a roof over Karl's head. He's on the sofa but how long before he gets into Sunitta's bed.

Romance was in the air for young bloods Tommy and Tina after months of mucking around. After learning of Tommy's grandfathers death, Tina offered a shoulder and her lips to comfort Tommy. The pair will soon have to take their eyes of each other to look out for mate Tyrone as his girlfriend Kirsty becomes more manic and violent.

EASTENDERS

No omnibus this Easter Sunday and I've missed a couple of episodes. Kim and Ray rekindled their romance after a nasty accident with a knife and Ray's finger in the kitchen of the Queen Vic. Alfie stepped up and double-crossed nasty Derek, who thinks arch rival Phil stole his booze.

Kim locked lips with chef Ray

Next week will see Heather laid to rest and one of the Mitchell guys arrested for her murder. My money's on it being Jay, especially as Ben has the murder weapon in their bedroom.

Is Ian about to get his heart broke again?

Poor Ian couldn't get it up with Mandy and their doomed relationship is set to go nowhere as its been leaked in the press that Nicola Stapleton who plays Mandy will soon be leaving the soap. Will she marry Ian before she leaves and how will he cope being ditched once again.

UK Soap Watch 19th March - 23rd March

EMMERDALE

Image Source: ITV.com
Cain Dingle

Emmerdale has produced some hard hitting story lines recently, displayed fine acting from its cast and, in my opinion, a seriously underrated quality British Soap against Coronation Street and Eastenders. Explosive scenes this week as grieving Adam Barton set fire to the garage with enemy Cain Dingle still inside it. The farmer boy later rescued his victim and Cain reluctantly agreed not to tell the police about his involvement, thanks to Aaron. However, this could prove worse for Adam who will soon wish he left Cain to toast when the villainous mechanic decides on how to punish him.

Troubled Zach Dingle is hard hitting his pints and showing signs of disillusion. Has Megan hit the point that he's showing signs of Alzeihmers or is the Dingle Head just supping one pint too many?

Sinful Vicar Ashley Thomas
Image Source ITV.com

Ill treatment of the elderly is a sore subject and a current topic amongst Brits so vicar Ashley Thomas stands out as the biggest villain in Emmerdale at the moment. His bestiality towards his father and deviousness in covering up to outsiders is a huge change in the normally placid vicars character. Things are stepping up next week when Sandy is injured and social services are called. Can the character of Ashley ever redeem itself to viewers.

On the lighter side, Jimmy King used reverse psychology against wife Nicola's sex ban. Oysters and champagne worked but will he still have to go through with a vasectomy? My fellow soap community also kindly informed me that Jimmy has a well packed lunch box. I missed out on the view but will be looking out in the near future.

Watch The Emmerdale Cast & Crew In Fabulous Farewell Video For Danny Miller

Eastenders

Shirley was absolutely bang on the nail the beginning of this week when she told freshly released Phil that his son Ben was “...wrong in the head”. Psycho Ben bashed 'Poor Hev' with a photo frame causing her death then cracked jokes about her whilst he, witness Jay and cover up expert Phil dined with the Mitchell clan. Even now he knows he killed Heather for his brother Ian's wrongdoing, he fails to show any remorse. Even hard nut Phil seems appalled by his coldness and adopted brother Jay is a nervous and ill looking wreck trying to show Mitchell loyalty. His clothes that could implicate him to the murder were sneakily hidden by Ben. Is the psycho teen hoping to frame Jay? The viewers already know how jealous he is of the closeness between Jay and his father.

Bad Ben
Image Sources BBC.CO.UK

Poor Andy, Heather's fiancé is the prime suspect with his history of violent behaviour. His mother Rose didn't help by immediately telling cops that he was with her around the time of the murder. The poor guy isn't even able to grieve his bride-to-be whilst he defends himself down the 'cop shop'. Most of the residents of Albert Square will believe he's guilty as who else would want to murder simple Heather? Best mate Shirley is a broken woman, especially as she and Heather didn't get to make up from their row. Shirley's locked in grief but she's not a stupid woman and her relationship with Phil will be over should she discover the truth.

Devastated Dot
Image Source BBC.CO.UK

The most emotive impact of grief was shown by the brilliant June Brown who plays Dot Cotton. She's lost so many people she's loved or got close to that she believes herself to be a bad omen turning on Fatboy and insisting he keep well away from her.

Next week sees Ben confiding in Roxy. Will he reveal all or will he spin her lies with his wickedness?

Coronation Street

Sally Webster
Image Source itv.com

The build up to the revealing of Franks killer, his mother Anne was well played out. Busybody Sally worked it out after the funeral and almost paid with her life as she fell and knocked herself unconscious, not attacked by the killer as stated in the press. With a son like Frank, no-one could really blame Anne for doing him in. She's now safely behind bars and the residents can move on now Sally's out of danger and she and Carla have resolved their differences with Sally even being offered her job back. I still feel Corrie should have made the killer be a major character to spice up the soap.

Glad to see the school dinnergate storyline brought to closure with little Max back in school. It was a little far fetched for me and didn't bring the light relief as intended.

Sunita Alahan
Image Source itv.com

Things are hotting up between Karl and Sunita as the pair kissed this week. She walked away apologising but with her marriage to Dev in tatters and Karl not putting up much resistance, this is definitely going to go further and it will all end in tears.

STORYLINE SPOILER: As if Tyrone Dobbs hasn't suffered enough, his bad luck will soon take a further knock when he becomes a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of wacky girlfriend Kirsty.

HOLLYOAKS

Mercedes McQueen
Image source e4.com

Not a good week for Mercedes McQueen as she found out ex fiancé Riley and her family were planning Bobby's christening behind her back. Her and Riley made amends and the tart without a heart finally displayed emotion towards her son but soon lost interest when she discovered Riley and his cousin Mitzeee snogging each other.

Poor Riley is in a mixture of emotions torn between his love for his cousin and the torch he still carries for Mercedes and the hurt of her sleeping with his father Carl. Next week another brunette minx is thrown into the mix as he and nurse Lynsey become closer.

Jackie McQueen

Homeless hard headed Phoebe

If you're going to mess with a McQueen, Jackie is the worst pick of the bunch as ungrateful Phoebe will find out when Jackie gets her hands on the homeless teen. Phoebe exploited Jackie's kindness when she allowed her to stay the night by robbing her flat and her beloved dog Terry. No sign of her former homeless companion, George but away from screen viewers know he is catching up with his family who believed the runaway was dead. He returns next week with big news for his friends. Is he going to leave them behind to be with his family?

Dancing On Ice 2012 Finalists Revealed



Matthew Wolfenden



It's Chico's Time



Hollyoaks' Jorgie Porter

 Matthew Wolfenden, Chico and Jorgie Porter have skated their way to the final of the celebrity ice skating competition. I'm not a massive fan of the ITV show but I do tune in now and again and will be hopefully watching the final.  Matthew's my favourite to win but don't write off the competition, Chico and Jorgie can bust some moves on the ice too.

Sadly Jennifer Ellison left the show tonight in tears of emotion.  I must say if I'd risked my life and limbs on ice, been spun around in the air, legs akimbo in very skimpy costumes I'd be bawling to lose out so close to the final.


Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean performing
their Gold medal Bolero 1984

 I do wish they'd give a different piece of choreography to finalists to perform other than Torville and Dean's blinking bolero.  Yes it is a beautiful dance, and Yes it won them Gold in the Olympic Championships some hundred years ago but surely there are other medal winning perfomances that could be incorparated with to bring the competition forward, not repetitive.

Images courtsey of Bing image searches

Coming Soon! British Soap Awards 2012

The British Soap Awards will be screened on ITV in May 2012. Viewers are urged to vote for their favourite soaps and characters. The five soaps in battle are Coronation Street, Doctors, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Catergories include Sexiest Male, Sexiest Female, Villain of the Year, Best Actor, Best Actress and of course, Best British Soap.

When the shortlist is announced next month I will give my winning predictions here on Donz on UKTV as well as my own personal soap star favourites.

To place your vote online visit www.britishsoapawards.tv before 3pm Monday 2^nd April 2012.

UK Soap Watch w/e 18th March 2012

CORONATION STREET ( Central/ITV Mondays 7:30 and 8:30pm, Thursdays 8:30pm, Fridays

7:30 and 8:30pm)

Corrie's big 'whodunnit' storyline took a twist this week when alcoholic Peter Barlow confessed to murdering nasty Frank Foster. Peter didn't kill Frank but confessed as he thought girlfriend Carla, rape victim of Frank done the deed. She's adamant she didn't so viewers were left hanging last night as to who the killer might be. All will be revealed next week when Sally Webster discovers Franks missing watch.

No leaks have been given in the press as Coronation Street producers want to give the viewers a surprise. A surprise to me would be a major character revealed as the murderer. However, I've got a huge feeling that viewers are going to be disappointed when Anne Foster, Frank's mother is revealed as the killer. The signals are all there and I think instead of using a brilliant idea to make a key character get away with murdering a vile character like Frank with the viewers knowing but the street characters not Corrie are going to cop out and close the storyline. I really hope I'm wrong and I'll eat my hat next week if I am wrong.

image source itv.com

                                             Lewis Archer (The Charmer) and Audrey Roberts

Elsewhere on the cobbles, widow Audrey Roberts has rekindled her romance with former male escort cum conman, Lewis. Audrey's deeply dippy in this secret affair as she knows her daughter Gail disapproves of Lewis being back on the scene. A huge shout out to Nigel Havers for his acting. Lewis hasn't shown any form of his former ways but Nigel plays the charmer so brilliantly that viewers are constantly waiting for him to trip.

Watch out for a budding romance between shop wife Sunita Alahan and gambling Karl from the Rovers.

EASTENDERS BBC1 Mondays and Fridays 8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30pm

Unlucky Heather Trott
Image source:  bbc.co.uk

Poor fat Heather. The simpleton single mother has finally found love after a long and rocky road. She's all set to marry Andrew Cotton when he reveals he's spent time in prison for GBH. His mother doesn't think Heather's good enough for him and Heather's best pal Shirley can't stand the man who's come between their friendship. After being given an ultimatum by Shirley in Fridays episode, Heather chose love over friendship. Soap fans will know though her happiness won't last for any time as her character is to be killed off next week by (don't read on if you don't already know) mixed up school boy Ben Mitchell. There's gonna be tears.



Relief for Tanya
Image Source:  bbc.co.uk

On the other side of the square relief for Tanya Branning as she found out her chemotherapy treatment had been successful in clearing her cervical cancer. Great acting from Jo Joyner (Tanya) and her family cast members in playing the story out with such gutso and showing the impact on all their emotions. Max had viewers wondering if he would stray (AGAIN) from his sick wife with his brothers ex, Roxy Mitchell. Thankfully he didn't. Too much brother and wife sharing with those Branning Brothers has gone on to go down that route again.

Humour of the week in the nit storyline. Kids and adults are scratching their barnets due to a breakout. My favourite Eastenders character, Kim Fox is also a victim which threw her plans (for a moment) with lover boy Ray.

Phil Mitchell is back on the square next week. I'm hoping the Eastenders baddie can put the foul Derek Branning in his place.

EMMERDALE Central/ITV Weekdays 7pm, Thursdays 8pm as well as 7pm

The Barton family are still struggling with the loss of John. Wife Moira is locked in mourning, eldest daughter Holly sought comfort in heroin, son Adam can't cope taking on his fathers role as farm manager and youngest daughter Hannah wants everyone to stop arguing and unite in their grief together. Now Moira has got out of bed to take charge and handed over the farm management to former owner Andy Sugden the family is at war again. Things take a turn for the worse next week when Adam takes revenge on Cain Dingle, the man who was a key figure in his parents marital problems shortly before John's death. A fire started by Adam leaves an already injured Cain fighting for life. Sources say this fire will lead to the departure of Adams best pal, Aaron Livesy, played by award winning Danny Miller. Danny leaving will be a huge loss to Emmerdale.



Neglected Sandy
Image Source: itv.com

Emmerdale have taken on the social issue on caring for the elderly with old and frail Sandy Thomas It has been uncomfortable for viewers watching his son Ashley shout and lash out at his father in frustration even more so because Ashley is the communities gentle vicar. Well done for Emmerdale for tackling this topic and highlighting issues many older viewers are familiar with and younger viewers may be ignorant to.

HOLLYOAKS Channel 4 weekdays 6:30pm



George goes home
Image Source e4.com



Hollyoaks is a regarded a teen soap but it deals with many issues that need to be made aware with adults also. I must admit I kind of lacked interest after the Silas storyline, the departure of Warren Fox and new college characters were brought in and didn't ignite me. Well the sparks back and 'Oaks is back on form with the homeless/missing storyline with George Palmer and the mysterious Phoebe. Having escaped from the evil clutches of sex traffickers Deena and Graham. George returned to his family, who thought he was dead and Phoebe to her mother, which viewers know is not really her mother. More will be revealed about Phoebe when she moves in with Jackie McQueen next week.

Cold hearted bitch, Mercedes McQueen has shown her true colours to her family by showing them she's more interested in getting ex fiancé Riley back than she is her son. When she finds out Riley is seeing Mitzeee next week she kidnaps Bobby in fury. Mercedes is a hard character to love and viewers are constantly wondering how low will she go?

Dennis is back from India next week with an eerie mysteriousness about what he's been up to in his absence. I'm not a fan of this character and he strangely resembles Ben Mitchell from Eastenders.

Hollyoaks are well known for love triangle story lines, the present being students Annaliese, Rob and Scott. Annaliese dumped boyfriend Rob last week as she feels more for his mate Scott. On Friday she hinted to Scott that she was ready to “move on” to which Scott wished her well and walked off. Poor Scott deserves a girlfriend as he hasn't had no female interests besides Annaliese but his character is such a sweet and loyal mate that it'd be horrid to see him and Rob at loggerheads. Can't wait to see how this plays out.