Throng

Strictly Come Dancing finalist and Hollyoaks star, Ricky Whittle, has revealed that he's still “heartbroken” about his split from girlfriend and co-star, Carley Stenson.

The pair separated in November last year, and speaking in an interview at the NTAs last week, Ricky added that the split has taught him he shouldn’t prioritise relationships over his TV career.

He told the PA, "Ricky's not dating. Ricky's got a broken heart."

When asked who by the interviewer who broke his heart, Ricky said, "Who broke my heart? Everyone knows who broke my heart…

“The most perfect girl in the world."

However, Ricky added that he wanted “nothing but the best” for Carley, who of course plays Steph in Hollyoaks.

He said, "Whatever happens, happens. If we're meant to be we'll be, if we're not we're not. I just want her to be happy. We'll see what happens in the future."

Natalie Cassidy has told Reveal magazine that one of the reasons she left EastEnders in 2007 was because her character – Sonia – had a lesbian affair with her best mate Naomi.

Natalie told the magazine that she’d felt “uncomfortable” with the storyline.

She said, "One of the reasons I left was because of the lesbian storyline I had - I felt that is wasn't right for Sonia.

"Sometimes in soaps, people are so keen to get a shocking story that the character gets forgotten."

Natalie is due to reappear in the show for a brief stint when Sonia comes back to the Square for her sister Bianca’s marriage to Ricky. We’ll see those scenes on February 8th.

When asked if Natalie would consider returning to the show full-time, she said, "It would depend…

Is Bradley going to kill himself?

Since a report appeared in The Sun newspaper – which claimed EastEnders character Bradley was to commit suicide – it seems that the show’s bosses have been keen to deny that suicide is how Bradley will exit the show.

Charlie Clements of course plays Bradley who recently gave up a life in Canada with girlfriend Syd so that he could be with Stacey, who’s pregnant with another man’s child.

The paper claimed that Bradley was going to kill himself during the show’s 25th anniversary live episode, prompting much speculation that it will turn out to be him who killed Archie.

The paper’s article said that Bradley would jump from the roof of a building and added that the scene would be "one of the most heart-breaking soap goodbyes ever".

Hannah Waterman and Ricky Groves split

Ex-EastEnders stars and real life couple Hannah Waterman and Ricky Groves have announced their separation after just three years of marriage.

The couple, who played Laura Beale and Garry Hobbs in the show, apparently split up on New Year's Day, after which Hannah moved out of the couple’s home near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.

In a statement that was issued to the press, the couple’s spokesperson said, "Ricky Groves and Hannah Waterman have announced today that after much consideration they have decided to formally separate.

“Both their careers have been hugely successful, but for most of last year their work has kept them apart." Hannah added, "We would like to remain friends with respect for each other."

The News of the World reports that Corrie actress, Bev Callard, has been accused of coercing money under false pretences from her best friend.

The paper reports that Bev asked her friend to invest £100,000 in her Cheshire pub just two months before it closed down.

Bev, who plays on-screen landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, first became friends with Ethna Carlin in 2001 when she and Bev were both living in Marbella. Carlin told the paper that Bev asked her for the money in 2008 and she added that she was, “promised a contract” as well as shares in The Gallery pub, in Hale.

However, she added, "Just weeks later she closed down leaving me with absolutely nothing... but she's still coining it in on the telly.

Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe has told the Press Association that she's “had to get used to steamy scenes” because her character, Mercedes McQueen has had lots of them!

Jennifer’s character is currently having an affair with Calvin Valentine – played of course by Ricky Whittle – and Jennifer admitted that she doesn’t find the “raunchy” scenes uncomfortable or strange.

She said, "I think I've just had to get used to it, maybe more than the rest of the cast, because she does it so much.

"There's no point getting nervous or embarrassed because there'll probably be another 50 before Mercedes' time is up. I've just got to grin and bear it, and it's normally a mate so we can have a laugh.

“It's like 'Go on then, put your hand there when you have to and give us a snog.' There's no passion in it."

The Sun today has a sneek peek of the build up to Archie’s murder in EastEnders, which you can see here…

I can’t wait to find out whodunit! Who do you reckon kills him? I'm voting Janine...

It’s rumoured that Emmerdale is to run an incest storyline over the Christmas period. And the plot involves Ryan Lamb – played by James Sutton – having a relationship with Maisie Wylde, who is of course his half-sister, though neither of them know that.

Their tryst apparently starts when they go Christmas shopping together and instantly feel an attraction.

An Emmerdale insider told The Sun, "There are lots of exciting storylines planned for Christmas, but this is a belter.

"They give in to their feelings, but they'll feel sick and betrayed when they realise all their similarities are down to genes and not chemistry."

Oh that should be a good ‘un!

In other news, Natalie J. Robb, who plays Moira Barton, has said that she hopes her character can “break the soap tradition of unstable marriages”.

In scenes we’ll be seeing shortly in EastEnders, Denise and Lucas' wedding day finally arrives, despite Owen’s best efforts to ruin it for them.

But here are some sneaky peeks at the hen night – when Owen gatecrashes and tells Denise that Lucas is “dangerous” – and the wedding.

I’m absolutely gutted to hear that EastEnders Charlie Clements, who of course plays unlucky in love Bradley is leaving the show after nearly four years on our screens.

He’ll be leaving in February and show insiders reckon his exit will be a “sensational storyline”. I wonder if he’ll turn out to be Archie’s murderer??

Talking about his decision to leave, Charlie said, "I’ve been at EastEnders for nearly four years, and I’ve enjoyed every minute with some fantastic storylines.

“But I feel that now is the time to take on some new roles."

Diederick Santer, the show’s executive producer – who is himself leaving soon – said, "Viewers will miss Charlie hugely and I can promise a big exit.

“I know he'll go on to great things."

Corrie actor David Nielson has been telling Inside Soap magazine that he hopes the show’s writers don’t kill Tony Gordon off.

"They can't kill off Tony! The fascination with Roy and Tony could go on and on…

“I love the way they've connected.

"If they're got rid of Tony, it would mean the loss of a really great Street character."

David added, "They both have similar traits. That said, Tony is a much more psychotic and single-minded!

“Roy likes to have things in order, and then he can deal with them. If anything goes wrong, Roy can't cope. He needs to be in control - but so does Tony.

"They're different sides of the same coin in that their mindset is quite similar.

"They're the only two people in the show that you could do this story with."

In EastEnders, Ryan’s finally going to give in to his lust for Janine and in scenes to air in the next couple of weeks, we see the sexual tension between the pair build until they give in, but as ever, Janine’s got another agenda…

When the pair end up kissing in the cellar at the Vic, it’s all a ruse by Janine to make Archie jealous. And she also turns the tables and uses Archie to make Ryan jealous.

An EastEnders insider told DS, “Janine’s got Ryan wrapped round her little finger.

“She’s spent weeks working on him, and finally, all her hard work pays off.

“Janine was pretty hurt after he dumped her following their one-night stand, and she’s made sure she’s been calling the shots ever since.

“Ryan’s got no idea what she’s been up to, but as you can imagine, she’s delighted when he finally gives in.

Scarily thin ice for two Mitchell women…

Daniella Westbrook looks more than a little bit nervous in this picture from The Sun as she practices for Dancing On Ice with coach Jayne Torvill...

Let’s hope she doesn’t come a cropper, on that thin ice or the whole bunch of it that Archie’s setting her up for…

Another Mitchell who’s doing all the clichés – walking on thin ice, playing with fire, etc etc – is Ronnie who next week decides it’d be a great idea to sleep with Owen!

Her desperation for a baby is clearly sending her doolally; why else would she want to get involved with a bloke who tried to kill his own daughter and is only just out of the nick for it?!

The couple get all jiggy with it after Ronnie tells Owen she doesn't hate him, unlike the rest of the Square’s residents, and Owen reveals to Ronnie that he tried to commit suicide in prison.

Barbara Windsor denies EastEnders ‘rift’

Speculation has been rife that Barbara Windsor is leaving the show due to having argued with bosses over pay and conditions.

The rumour was sparked by Barbara’s co-star, Larry Lamb – who plays on-screen husband Archie Mitchell – saying that something had “really upset” Barbara. However, Barbara has denied that this is the case and insists that she’s leaving only in order to spend more time with her family, and especially husband Scott.

"I am upset at suggestions made that I have chosen to leave EastEnders because of money, changes that are being made to the show or a supposed 'bust up with producers' as there is absolutely no truth in them"

In the coming weeks, Nathan, played by Lyndon Ogbourne is going to increase the pressure and blackmail on poor Layla, so much so, she ends up splitting up with David. Evil Nathan!

However, in real life, and talking of ex’s, Nathan’s been telling What’s On TV mag that he’d “love to work” with his real life ex, Billie Piper.

He and Billie became an item after meeting at a drama club in Swindon when they were both teenagers.

Lyndon told the magazine, "We were close friends up until we were 16 or 17, then as soon as she got together with Chris Evans everything completely changed for her.