hollyoaks cast news 2012

And Kieron Richardson on Ste’s potential Hollyoaks romance with Doug Carter

We’ll start today’s soapy news round up on Coronation Street, where the original bad lad Terry Duckworth is about to make a return to Weatherfield…

And as viewers who remember Terry will know, he’s always been a troublemaker and a schemer, which broke his mum and dad’s hearts. His mum and dad were of course Street legends, Jack and Vera Duckworth, who were played by Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn.

However, while speaking to the PA about Terry’s return, Nigel Pivaro, who of course plays the role, revealed that it’s just possible Terry might have turned over a new leaf and become a better person.

He said, “I always hope that at some point there is a turn in Terry but there would have to be a logic to it.

“Terry doesn’t go through life wanting to be bad, he just has to be bad because of circumstance, but circumstances can change.

“Whatever happens to Terry, I want to be there when it does because I’ve put so much into him.”

But Nigel – who’s been working as a full time journalist for a number of years – added that it’s been “strange” to be on set without Bill and Liz.

He said, “I’m already missing three or four stalwarts that were here the last time I was on set.

“I still see Bill. I actually went to his 50th wedding anniversary the other day but it’s strange without him here.

“I keep expecting him to rear up behind me and tap me on the shoulder, script in hand.”

We’ll see Nigel back on Coronation Street on ITV1 on Monday, April 16.

Over to Emmerdale now, where actress Lesley Dunlop has revealed that if Val Pollard ever comes back to the village, Brenda Walker won’t give Eric Pollard up without a fight!

Lesley, who’s been playing the role of Brenda since 2008, told Inside Soap, “I’d quite like it if Val comes back to the village fuming. It would be good to see how Eric reacts…

“Whether he drops Brenda like a hot potato or tells Val where to go.

“And since Brenda is secretly hoping all the things Eric’s been telling her are true, she’d most likely be prepared to stand her ground and fight.”

Lesley also revealed that she’d love it if Brenda ended up owning the café.

She said, “She could buy the cafe and call it Brenda’s Baps!”

*Shudders at the thought of eating dinner in Brenda’s Baps…

Finally today it’s over to Hollyoaks, where Kieron Richardson has hinted that Ste Hay’s storyline with Doug Carter – who’s played by PJ Brennan – could be about to take a romantic twist.

Digital Spy report that while Kieron was being interviewed on Channel 5′s Live with Myleene, he said, “Ste didn’t have any friends, so he’s started this friendship with Doug…

“And they’ve now become business partners and maybe something else might happen – a relationship possibly.”

And when asked to expand on that, Kieron teased, “Doug [tries] to set [Ste] up on online dating, so when Ste does go on a date with another guy, Doug gets these feelings.

“Is he jealous that he’s going on a date with a guy, is he jealous because his friend has been taken away from him?

“He’s questioning all his emotions, and then in the weeks to come you’ll find out why.”

And finally, of how a relationship with Doug would affect Ste’s ongoing affair with Brendan, Kieron said, “Brendan’s always going to be in the mix…

“Obviously last year we did quite a big storyline – it was gay domestic abuse, which is hard to do.

“A lot of ‘Stendan’ fans, they are desperate for Ste and Brendan to be together.

“We’ve got ‘Stendan’ and ‘Stug’ – I’m just happy that my name’s in both of them!

“The ‘Stendan’ fans are going absolutely mental and want Ste and Brendan to be together.

“But I think if we really do take a serious look, it’s gay domestic abuse and we can’t be seen to promote that.

“So he’ll always be in the mix, but whether they’re going to be together is a questionable thing.”

More soapy news soon!

Plus, Hollyoaks star Scarlett Bowman says “Callum is really good for Maddie”

We’ll begin today’s soapy news with the report in the Sun that the producers of hit school soap Waterloo Road are looking for an very special extra to appear on the show…

And to be in with a chance of landing a role on the show, you’ll need to be the highest bidder on a range of show memorabilia that’s been donated by Philip Martin Brown, who of course plays Grumpy Grantly.

To make a bid, just email fundraising@youngepilepsy.org.uk and include your full name, address and contact number in the email. The closing date for bids is April 18.

Over to EastEnders now, where Shane Richie has revealed that as his character Alfie Moon is intent on showing Derek Branning that he’s not a man to be messed with.

Speaking to Inside Soap, Shane said, “I think we’re going to see another side of Alfie – the dark side of the Moon!

“I’d certainly like to see that, but more the kind of dark side you get with Bruce Wayne, who was secretly Batman.

“Rather than Alfie being an out-and-out baddy, it would be quite good to see a superhero outfit poking out from underneath one of his lairy shirts. I’d really like that.”

However, despite the shady dealings between Derek and Alfie, Shane said, “We’re going to see a wonderful relationship developing between them.

“Derek’s set to confide in Alfie because he trusts him – even if he never actually says it. Alfie will be like a surrogate best mate.

“Derek seems to be the kind of bloke who doesn’t need any pals, but he likes Alfie.”

Not for long though I would imagine, especially when he finds out – if he does – that Alfie and Billy robbed his truckload of booze, and not Phil Mitchell!

Finally today, it’s over to Hollyoaks, where Scarlett Bowman has revealed that she thinks Callum Kane is “really good” for her character, Maddie Morrison.

Speaking to the PA, Scarlett said, “Callum’s really good for Maddie. He’s quite an earthy character, and he really grounds her.

“He’s great for her and she can learn a lot from him. He sort of reins her in a bit. It’s a big step because Maddie is such a head case.

“She gives off this persona of being the girl-about-town and pretty capable of everything, but she’s really into Callum in a big way.

“She’s really putting her heart on her sleeve.”

More soapy news soon!

And Hollyoaks’ Holly Weston fell asleep while filming! Plus Ben Mitchell almost confesses at Hev’s EastEnders funeral

We’ll start today’s soapy news round up with Emmerdale star Kelli Hollis, pictured above left, who’s revealed that she’d love to see her character, Ali Spencer, marrying her lesbian lover, Ruby Haswell, who’s played by Alicya Eyo.

Ali and Ruby turned up in the village last year after Ali’s sister Rachel Breckle managed to persuade Declan Macey to lease a cottage to Ali and her kids.

Speaking to Inside Soap about the prospect of Ali and Ruby tying the knot, Kelli – who formerly starred in Shameless – said, “Me and Alicya would love to do that. We wouldn’t want to do it just because we play lesbians though.

“Gender is irrelevant – this would be two people who love each other.”

But she added that she wouldn’t want the ceremony to end in disaster, as Sophie and Sian’s Corrie wedding did.

She said, “Corrie did it one way, but our characters wouldn’t want a big gay wedding…

“I think they’d both go low-key.”

Over to Hollyoaks now, and Holly Weston who’s revealed that as she filmed scenes in which her character, Ash Kane, was in a coma, she kept dozing off, which of course meant having to shoot the scenes again.

As fans of the show will know, Ash was left fighting for her life when she was struck down with potentially deadly meningitis.

Of the scenes, Holly told TV Biz, “The coma bit is much harder than you think. I expected it to be so easy, just lying there all day.

“But it’s really hard to lie straight and actually stay awake and know what is going on.

“I’d drop off and suddenly wake up and think ‘Oh my God, I’m in the middle of a scene’.”

Holly went on to reveal that her boozing habits are nowhere near as bad as party lover Ash’, and in fact, as part of the storylines, Ash thought she simply had a hangover before it was diagnosed as meningitis.

Holly said, “I do like to go out and have a good time, but it is probably about once a month. Ash seems to be out all the time.

“I’m more happy sitting at home in front of the telly. I get horrendous hangovers, so I have to put aside a whole day to recover.”

Wait ‘til you’re 40 – cough – something; then it takes about 3 days…

Finally it’s over to EastEnders, where Ben Mitchell comes close to confessing he murdered Heather Trott…

But much to his dad Phil’s relief, at the last moment, Ben does an about turn and doesn’t spill the beans.

It all begins when Ben’s asked to do a reading at Heather’s funeral, but he breaks down and begins to sob, saying he’s sorry over and over again.

But he changes his mind about confessing and instead, launches himself into Shirley Carter’s arms, telling her he was saying sorry because he couldn’t continue with the eulogy…

And judging by the picture above, she’s called a halt in her hostilities with him and comforts him as he weeps.

Oo she’s gonna kill him when she finds out that truth!!

More soapy news soon.

And Waterloo Road arrives in Scotland

We’ll start the second part of today’s soapy news in Corrie, where Michelle Keegan has revealed that she’d love to film a big fat soapy wedding.

Michelle of course plays Tina McIntyre, who, in upcoming episodes, finally lands her man in the form of Tommy Duckworth, who’s played by Chris Fountain.

Speaking to Digital Spy about her character’s new romance, and if it might lead down the aisle, Michelle said, ”It’d be lovely, as long as there’s a bit of drama before it, during it, and after!

“Otherwise it wouldn’t be a soap wedding if everything went according to plan.

”But I do see Tommy and Tina being in this relationship for the long haul, definitely. It’d be cool to become a Duckworth.”

And of Tommy and Tina being compared to Corrie’s other legendary couple, Jack and Vera Duckworth, Michelle said, ”It’s a massive compliment to be compared to them, because they’re a very iconic couple.

”I think it’s because Tina wears the trousers in the relationship like Vera did.

“I loved that relationship, because there was so much comedy and bickering between them, but deep down they really did love each other.

”I think we see a similar thing with Tina and Tommy.

“Tina is very opinionated and she wants to tame Tommy, but you can tell that there’s strong feelings between them.”

Another couple with strong feelings for each other are Hollyoaks’ Mitzeee Minniver and Riley Costello, and Rob Norbury, who of course plays Riley, reckons they’re perfect together.

Dubbed ‘Ritzeee’ by an online campaign for them to become an item, the pair will get that bit closer after sharing a kiss after Riley’s son’s christening.

Rob told Soaplife, “Mitzeee’s helping Riley with Bobby and they’re very close. She’s probably the ideal woman for Riley.

“She has that side to her that Mercedes has, but she knows where to draw the line. And she’s very caring.

“[But] there’s a lot of history there and I don’t think Riley is ready to tell her how he feels.

“Also, with Mitzeee there comes drama with Mercedes and he wants to get away from all that.

“In a way, Mitzeee is the perfect ready-made relationship. They’ve got history, they get on well and she knows Bobby.

“But Lynsey is a lovely girl and she’s someone he can have a laugh with.”

Would you like to see Mitzeee and Riley together?

Finally today, the cast and crew of Waterloo Road have moved into their new Scottish base.

The show relocated to Scotland as part of the BBC’s initiative to increase network programming from the region.

Filming begins at the former Greenock Academy school building on Monday April 2 and it’s expected the show will continue for at least another two years.

More soapy news soon!

Plus, Corrie’s Platt wars get underway, and former Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas lands Hollywood role!

We’ll begin today’s soapy news over at EastEnders, where Steve McFadden has revealed that he thinks the Heather Trott murder storyline is “one of the best” he’s ever had a part in.

Steve, who plays hard man Phil Mitchell, told Inside Soap magazine, “I would say that this is one of the best storylines I’ve ever been involved in…

“And I’ve been here a long time.

“When we first got the scripts, I said to Josh, ‘There’s a scale of one to 10 when you get a storyline here, and this is a 10. So roll up your sleeves, because you’ve got a lot of work coming your way. It could be great if we get it right’. And I think we are getting it right.”

Steve went on to reveal that he hopes Phil and Shirley won’t split up for good if/when she finds out that Phil helped cover up Ben’s role in the killing.

He said, “Phil and Shirley are great together – they’re a match made in heaven,” he explained.

“But they split up and then they get back together again – that see-sawing always goes on, and if you want to have a career in soap, I think you have to embrace that rather than bemoan it.”

We’ll see poor Heather meet her bloody end on Monday, March 19 at 8pm on BBC1.

Over to Coronation Street now, where it’s been revealed that in the aftermath of the revelation that Audrey Roberts is once again an item with Lewis Archer, the Platt family decide to take action…

David Platt begins the Platt wars when he hears that Audrey and Lewis are planning to head off on a round-the-world cruise. At the moment, Audrey’s salon is actually in David’s name, however, to fund the expensive trip, Audrey tells David that she needs him to put the deeds of the salon back in her name.

However, ambitious David – and his equally ambitious, if not money grabbing wife Kylie – refuses to do so, amid fears that Lewis is out to fleece Audrey of her money.

Audrey of course defends Lewis, saying that he’s not out for anything from her, but will David listen? Find out on Monday, March 26 on ITV1.

And finally today, it seems that former Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas – who is of course engaged to Corrie star Kym Marsh – may have landed a role in a Hollywood movie.

Jamie went to the states earlier this year to try to forge a career out there, and of course, that’s been hard on Kym, who’s remained in the UK.

However, it seems Jamie’s hard work, and Kym’s patience, may have paid off as Jamie took to Twitter to write, “WOW, great weekend, been in talks about a new film, excited, watch this space TICK TOCK BOOM! (sic).”

But, a friend of Kym’s has told the Daily Mirror that it might not necessarily be great news for her that Jamie’s achieving his dream.

The source said, “Kym had no idea how difficult being apart would be.

“It will be distressing if he heads back to LA for some considerable time.

“Kym will be happy if he gets the part, but she will struggle with Corrie and bringing up Polly.”

More soapy news soon!

We’ll start today’s soapy news round up with former Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson, and the news that she’s landed the role of Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical.

Carley – who played Steph Cunningham in Hollyoaks – is also starring in Legally Blonde: The Musical, but she’s to take over the role of Princess Fiona from Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh in May.

Kimberley originally took over the role when BGT judge Amanda Holden left it last year. In Shrek the Musical, Dean Chisnall stars as Shrek, while MTV presenter Richard Blackwood plays the role of Donkey.

Over to Corrie now, where it’s been reported that following an accidental leak of the name of the character who killed Frank Foster was made, bookmakers have suspended betting on the outcome.

There are of course five suspects in Frank’s murder; Carla Connor, Michelle Connor, Peter Barlow and Sally and Kevin Webster.

Before the leak on a website yesterday, bookmaker Betfred had the odds of the killer at: Peter Barlow 6-1, Kevin Webster 6-1, Carla Connor 8-1, Michelle Connor 8-1 and Sally Webster out at 25-1.

We know who it was who murdered Frank, however, we’re not permitted to tell you, and it wouldn’t be fair to anyway, because of course, lots of viewers don’t know yet who the murderer is, so we don’t want to spoil it for you!

Finally today, it’s over to Emmerdale, where Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle, reckons that he and his wife Zoe Henry – who plays the role of vet Rhona – don’t consider themselves to be celebrities, and instead, they enjoy a quiet, “normal” life in the village where they live with their children.

Speaking to the TV Times, Jeff said, “We really prefer to keep a low profile. We like to do our job, go home and shut the door.

“We live in a small village where people treat us like family and, if we’re out and about, they tend to leave us alone when we’re with the children.

“It’s the people in bars and clubs who’ve got a drink in them who’ll be a bit more brazen…

“But I don’t go out a lot these days and I’m always the first to duck out of a party.”

And of his marriage to Zoe, Jeff explained, “We’ve been together for 18 years and I think I’m really lucky to be married to somebody like Zoe – I wouldn’t be the actor or the person I am without her.

“You only have to look at the world of showbusiness to see that there are casualties. It’s a fast-paced life if you want to buy into it, but we don’t.”

Jeff went on to say that although he and Zoe hardly ever appear in the same scenes in Emmerdale, they do get time to spend together backstage.

He said, “We do sit down and have a coffee together once in a while, but not often as our characters aren’t really involved with each other.

“It’s just as well, really, as it makes it so much easier to share the childcare.

“[And] after a day playing Cain, I go home and think ‘Thank God I’m really boring.’ Boring is great. I like boring!

“Things were a bit livelier when we were in our twenties at drama school together. But you mellow and mature and I like it.

“I recently said, ‘Look at us now, children, dogs and normality!’ I’d hate to be Cain Dingle for real!”

However, next week, Cain’s going to be Mr Nice Guy for once when he finds Holly Barton (Sophie Powles) slumped and unconscious at the garage.

Of that, Jeff said, “Cain walks into the garage and sees somebody messing about.

“There’s someone behind the car and he shouts ‘Oi, this is private property!’

“Then he kind of sees that it’s Holly and quickly realises she’s taken an overdose.

“He helps her out and calls an ambulance. It’s not that he’s suddenly turned into a nice guy…

“I think he would have done the same this time last year. He’s not a beast and Holly is in a bad way.”

Find out if Holly survives her heroin overdose next week.

More soapy news soon!

And Jorgie Porter on her romance with James Atherton

As fans of Corrie will know, evil Frank Foster is about to murdered – on March 5th to be exact – and the list of suspects is a long one, but right up there at the top is Sally Webster…

However, also on the list if Frank’s mum Anne, so when Sally mysteriously vanishes after a visit to Anne, fears for her safety grown when nobody hears from her or has a clue where she is.

It has previously been suggested that whoever murders Frank will have to kill at least once more in order to ensure that they won’t be found out, so if Sally knows who killed Frank, has she been permanently silenced in case she tells the police?

Well, we’ll find out as the drama unfolds, but her family are of course frantic and desperate to find Sally. And in the picture above from the Sun, Kevin sets off on a search for his ex-wife, but will he find her alive or dead, or not at all?

Again, we’ll have to wait and see, but before all that happens, Frank finally shows his true colours to Sally, and What’s On TV have the scoop video on that, which you can see by clicking here.

On now to EastEnders news, and Nicola Stapleton, who plays Mandy Salter, has told Inside Soap that when Mandy’s mum Lorraine arrives next week, she soon charms her way into Ian Beale’s good books, but when nobody’s looking, Lorraine Salter reverts to the “cold and cruel” mum she’s always been to Mandy.

Nicola said, “Lorraine puts on a big act for Ian. Mandy can see straight through her, but Ian doesn’t understand why she’s getting her knickers in a twist.

“When Lorraine’s alone with Mandy, she’s really cruel and cold. But she’s very careful how she acts in front of everyone else.”

And when asked if seeing how Lorraine treats Mandy, viewers may feel more sympathetic towards her character, Nicola said, “When you play a really prickly character like Mandy, it’s nice to take a look at why they behave like that.

“Whether it’ll make viewers warm to her, I don’t know. People love Mandy when she’s awful!”

We’ll meet Lorraine on Thursday, March 1 at 7.30pm on BBC1.

Finally, it’s over to Hollyoaks, where Jorgie Porter has revealed that it’s come as a pleasant surprise that her relationship with co-star James Atherton has gone so well.

Jorgie of course plays Theresa McQueen, and James plays Will Savage.

Speaking to Fabulous magazine about their romance, Jorgie said, “We were friends for about six months before we got together and I thought he was an utter pain in the backside.”

However, it didn’t take her long to think differently!

She added, “He’s amazing. I hope it’s long-term. It feels like it will be, anyway.”

The couple have officially been an item off-screen since last September, and of course, they’re a couple on-screen too.

More soapy news soon!