Corrie kiss, E'dale fisticuffs and an 'Oaks funeral

It's been a funny old week in soapland. It's been filled with news of Lee Ross and Kate Williams returning to EastEnders, a Romanian-set Cropper Corrie DVD, Deena Payne returning to Emmerdale, Gerard McCarthy pledging another year to Hollyoaks, while the cast of Neighbours are dropping like flies.

Probably the most frustrating announcement of the week has to be that of Craig Kelly's decision to quit Coronation Street. I might be in the minority here, but Luke Strong's been one of Corrie's most promising characters in years.

Already there are so many unanswered questions, and much like the now-departed/axed Rovers manageress Poppy Morales (Sophiya Haque), he had so much potential. That tied in with the fantastic portrayal of the character by Craig Kelly, I just feel quite disappointed that I've invested my time in a character that was essentially built up as the key alpha male of the Street, only for him to leave within about seven months.

Granted, I know we've been promised by the show's leading producer Kim Crowther that many questions regarding his arrival and connection to Carla Gordon (Alison King) will be answered when she returns/he leaves, but I can't help but think that Corrie have missed a superb opportunity to turn the whole story on its head - by revealing Luke to be Carla's estranged brother, Darren.

Back to business, though. This week, I've a superb set of pictures that mark the beginning of Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Molly's (Vicky Binns) affair storyline. Now if you missed this week's episodes, you won't have seen the not-so-subtle hints that Mrs Dobbs and Mr Webster seem to want to take their friendship to the next level.

Well, next week, the pair head out on a run together and they're unable to withstand the sexual tension. Sitting on a bench in the park, the pair fall into a passionate embrace.

So here marks Molly and Kevin's foray into the sordid world of adultery. From what I've heard and read, it's a long-burner with a number of twists and turns along the way. And if you're wondering when it reaches a huge turning point, you'd be right in presuming Christmas...






These scenes air on Monday, June 29 at 8.30pm on ITV1.

Over in Emmerdale, Paddy's (Dominic Brunt) about to turn 40 and he's not best impressed when he sees the state of his birthday banner. His birthday's the last thing on his mind, though. Spurred on by Marlon (Mark Charnock), Paddy decides that he's going to propose to Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and writes a poem to read out at his party in The Woolpack later in the day. Chas's son Aaron (Danny Miller) overhears Paddy's plans and steals one of his draft poems.

At the party, Aaron deviously reads out Paddy's poem in front of Chas and the rest of the locals. Paddy sees red and flies at the youngster in a fit of rage, before confessing to Chas that he planned to ask for her hand in marriage. Chas's reaction, however, isn't exactly the one he was looking for.






These scenes air on Wednesday, July 1 at 7pm on ITV1.

It's Warren's (Jamie Lomas) funeral in a fortnight's time in Hollyoaks and what better time to throw Cheryl (Bronagh Waugh) back into the mix? Malachy's (Glen Wallace) not well with the man flu, so Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) pops out to the shop in true McQueen style and decides to steal some medicine for him. However, she's fuming to see that he's been dragged to Warren's funeral by his ex, Cheryl. Causing a scene, Mercedes slaps Malachy and a cat fight between the girls ensues.

Sasha (Nathalie Emmanuel), meanwhile, isn't coping at all and Cheryl's arrival and the ruckus it causes tips her over the edge. She throws everyone out of the church leaving her and Spencer (Darren Langford) in the church with Warren's coffin. An emotional Spencer, however, begins banging on the casket, convinced that his foster brother's still alive.






These scenes air on Friday, July 3 at 6.30pm on Channel 4.

And finally to EastEnders, where Dawn's (Kara Tointon) birthday party in The Vic takes a turn for the worse when Roxy (Rita Simons) suggests to everyone that they take the evening's events upstairs. Janine (Charlie Brooks) has her eyes firmly set on Dr Jenkins (Adam Croasdell) but during a game of spin the bottle, her new flatmate Amira (Preeya Kalidas) lets slip that Janine used to be a prostitute.

Roxy, meanwhile, gets herself into such an inebriated state that she throws up all over Bradley's (Charlie Clements) cashmere sweater - classic Bradders! - and has to be put to bed by Jack (Scott Maslen). Apparently not realising what she's saying, Roxy tells Jack that she loves him...




These scenes air on Tuesday, June 30 at 8pm on BBC One.

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