Emmerdale is at the centre of a powerful and dramatic storyline in the wake of Victoria Barton (Isabel Hodgins) being raped.

The story kicked off during the recent night out in the village, where she ended up disorientated and alone, after being separated from her friends following a fire alert.

While the true horror of her ordeal will be revealed in flashback episodes to come, it’s been revealed that her rapist, Lee, is played by actor Kris Mochrie.

Here’s what you need to know about Kris, his past roles – and why he’s recently hit the headlines.

Who is Kris Mochrie and what has he been in before?

Kris originally found fame at the age of 17 when he appeared in the Channel 4 soap Brookside, playing tearaway teenager Ali Gordon in the soap from 2002-2003.

His other notable roles include 2015 series Ordinary Lies, which also featured the likes of Michelle Keegan, Max Beesley and EastEnders’ Jo Joyner.

The actor has also appeared in the likes of Doctors, Waterloo Road, The Bill, Life On Mars and The League Of Gentlemen.

And this isn’t his first brush with Emmerdale either, as he’s also appeared in small roles in the soap both in 2010 and again in 2015.

Why has Kris Mochrie been in the news this week?

The actor’s past has come to light after it was reported that he was jailed in 2009 for two years after supplying Class C drug GHB, which is known for being used as a date rape drug.

He eventually pleaded guilty after initially denying a charge of supplying the drug by lacing his friend’s drink with it, being convicted at Hull Crown Court of supplying Class C drugs and perverting the course of justice.

Mochrie had earlier lied to police and claimed that two girls had been spiking drinks but later admitted that he committed the crime, which led to his friend collapsing in the night club. There was no suggestion that he was seeking to have sex with the victim.

Just hours later in the same club, 21-year-old Chloe Leach had collapsed and died. Although the police initially linked the two cases it later turned out that her death was unrelated.

Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, said at the time: ‘What happened last September was terrible. There you were in the nightclub with your associate who you supplied GHB a Class C drug. He knew what he was taking. That particular drug has a number of dangerous side effects.

‘He became extremely ill as a result of the harmful effects. If ever there was a case that demonstrated the dangerousness of that particular drug this was it.’

Speaking in 2013 to the Liverpool Echo he discussed the impact as he said: ‘I know that every part I get now, everything will be brought up again. But it’s a part of my life I can’t change.

‘I never intended to commit a crime, I haven’t got a criminal bone in my body, I really haven’t. I made a mistake and it all just unravelled. It was the worst six months of my life and it lost me a lot, but it’s gained me so much. I’ve always been grateful for my family, for everything, but now even more.’

Mochrie’s Emmerdale character does not share any similarity to his previous conviction as the character of Lee did not spike Victoria’s drink.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV at 7pm.

Victoria Barton (Isabel Hodgins) is at the centre of a major storyline in Emmerdale which will reveal that she has fallen victim to a horrific rape ordeal.

Things are set to unfold for the character in the coming weeks as the extent of her assault becomes clear during flashback episodes to the night in question.

It’s a life-changing incident for Victoria – but what has happened to her in the story so far?

Here’s what you need to know.

What has happened to Victoria Barton so far in Emmerdale?

The action began to unfold last week during Thursday night’s double episode of the soap.

Those episodes centred around a big night out which also saw Ellis (Asan N’Jie) stabbed and Maya (Louisa Clein)’s horrific abuse of Jacob (Joe -Warren Plant) exposed when Priya caught them together.

Victoria’s night went well at first, with everyone drinking and dancing – but things changed after the fire alarms went off in the club.

As everybody left, she ended up losing sight of her friends – and headed out in search of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) after her friends had already left without her in a taxi.

As she was left wondering how she would get back to the village she ended up sitting on the wall, giving rise to the devastating chain of events that followed.

What happened next?

It’s not yet been revealed on the show what actually happened to Victoria, although she was clearly shaken and distressed when Amy (Natalie Jamieson) went to hers in Friday’s episode to break the news about Ellis.

Victoria appeared fearful of leaving the house, telling Amy she had the flu and needed to ‘stay at home and sleep it off’.

However, with reports and speculation rife that Victoria was raped during the night out, she starts to open up about her ordeal to Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) – with flashbacks filling in the shocking details in episodes to come.

You can expect these scenes to unfold in Emmerdale on Wednesday 8 May.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV at 7pm.

Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) is back in EastEnders – and that means he’s back in contact with a few familiar faces from his past.

He’s already reconnected with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), as he learned the news of his ex-wife Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons)’s death.

And a reunion with sister Stacey (Lacey Turner) and mum Jean (Gillian Wright) is also on the cards – as well as Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) – with things set to be frosty on that front.

The pair go back over a decade, to when Sean was last in Albert Square – but just why does Ruby dislike Sean?

Let’s cast our minds back to what happened…

Why does Ruby Allen hate Sean Slater?

The pair have a previous history from Ruby’s time in Albert Square as a teenager in 2005-2006.

They dated – and were engaged – but Ruby was unaware at the time that Sean was only dating her to get to her money – and to get back at her dad Johnny Allen.

In fact her dad died of a heart attack in prison, just moments after ordering a hit on Sean’s life, after Sean met with him in prison and taunted him over his plans for his relationship with Ruby – knowing Johnny couldn’t do anything about it.

The resulting hit went wrong, however, when in a case of mistaken identity Jake Moon (Danny Maskell) was murdered instead.

Although Ruby had doubts about Sean, which she later expressed to Pat (Pam St Clement), she became engaged to Sean after he proposed, insisting he had genuine feelings for her.

However, things came to a bitter end between the pair when she learned that he had cheated on her with several other women during their relationship – and they broke up acrimoniously with him throwing her dad’s ashes in her face.

When did Sean originally leave EastEnders?

The character was last seen in 2009, leaving after he learned that he was not the father of Roxy Mitchell’s daughter Amy.

He tried to kill them and himself by driving into a freezing lake, before clambering out of the water and walking away after Roxy and Amy were saved.

Monday night’s show saw him learning that Roxy is dead, sparking a violent reaction before it was revealed that he has the intention of making amends ahead of taking his own life in the start of a devastating storyline focusing on male mental health.

EastEnders airs Mondays and Fridays on BBC One at 8pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm.

There was no doubt in the mind of devastated viewers tonight what Sean Slater’s intentions were as he eventually agreed to take a day out away from Walford with his ailing mum Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) in EastEnders.

Rob Kazinsky recently revealed to Metro.co.uk that the damaged character is back to tie up loose ends, make amends and then seek a way out of his agony, with him wrongly believing that suicide is his only path.

I sat down with Rob to discuss the intense scenes which follow, which will involve a very strong night of the souls for Sean and his mum, a person who understands mental health much more than he realises.

He explained: ‘The week progresses when Sean enters with this idea of what he is going to do. He knows there is a finite amount of time for him to say what he needs to say – he doesn’t want to be here anymore. He is getting things off his chest and reaching that point when he is more and more ready to go.

‘The one thing that has really tortured him for some time is how he has treated his family and how he has blamed his mother for what he has lived for. He spends more time with Jean and sees what she is going through and what he has done to her and he becomes more and more sure of what he wants to do.

‘The beautiful thing about this sequence is that there is somebody else in life who understands suicide, depression and mental health better than him and it’s his mum.’

As Sean and Jean take a walk, the strength of his mum in the face of her illness gives Sean food for thought. But this isn’t enough to stifle his dark thoughts and there is so much that he wants to get off his chest – leading him to make a staggering confession after Jean takes an ill turn.

Rob shared: ‘The beautiful thing about getting older is you realise there is more to something than what you thought. What happened with Brian Slater was a terrible thing – it’s already out in the ether. Sean told Tanya Branning so the audience knows but it’s a bit of a loose end as Jean and Stacey don’t.

‘Sean’s not really aware that the weight of what he did, informed everything he did for 19 years. It doesn’t allow himself to create lasting affections or settle down. Those traumatic incidents which happen in your formative years affect you for the rest of your life or until you understand why.

‘It would be very easy to say it’s all about his dad. But it’s not just that. It’s about all the things that he did because of one traumatic incident. It’s about the person he became. That evolution of the feral, wild boy into a completely lost and dangerous man – that’s the journey. That’s what’s so great about doing a show like this – you get to show those grades and colours. I wish I’d had more time here – I feel we could have gone into it more.

‘The scenes were very hard for me because of why I wanted to do the storyline in the first place. I had to put myself in the mind of someone I love very much in order to get there and to understand what that person lives through on a daily basis. I don’t think people can even comprehend what that is like to exist where you don’t even want to get to the end of the day.

‘It was two whole days of staying somewhere very dark. I wanted to play it numb and matter of fact – “this is what I am going to do”. But that doesn’t really work in a dramatic format so I had to try some truth and honesty of what I’ve seen and mix it with a dramatic performance.’

We can’t reveal yet exactly what happens next but Rob assured me of some extremely powerful scenes, much of which he put down to the talents of Gillian.

He enthused: ‘Working with Gillian and Lacey always presents unbelievable material. Regardless of your experience of mental health and whether you care about the issues, I think the scenes will engage you.

‘You will be stunned by what Gillian Wright can do every single scene, day after day. 99% of the actors I have worked with couldn’t do this job. This is the hardest job I have ever done – if you can be good in a soap, you can be good in anything.

‘Casting directors in England still won’t see me because I was in a soap. Producers used to say they loved me but I needed more work between EastEnders and the movie they were working on. But how do you get that? I had to leave the country – I didn’t have a choice. People don’t want you to go on from these shows but people should appreciate that Jake Wood is still the best actor I’ve ever worked with and Gillian Wright is just as good.

‘Lacey Turner – you don’t find talent like that anywhere else. I have worked with some of the best in the world – Idris Elba, Reese Witherspoon, Sir Ian McKellen, Guillemero de Toro – and these people I work with at EastEnders could do that as well. We should be more appreciative of the talent that Jake and Gillian and the others have. We should be proud.’

Are we about to have a whole new Kim Tate (Claire King) on our hands in Emmerdale? She’s been the village’s superbitch for years, but now she could be about to go all angelic on us.

The factor inciting this change – being reunited with her son Jamie (Alexander Lincoln).

All Kim has ever known is being evil, most recently plotting to have Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) murdered from behind bars, and later trying to break up Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) – two in a long line of terrible things Kim has done.

Is that it? Is she really ready to end her devious, murderous, villainous streak? If anyone can do it, it’s her long lost son.

Jamie Tate finally returned to the village after about 20 years, ready to start a fresh life in the belief his mum was still behind bars. Things very quickly unravelled when he accidentally knocked down Eric Pollard (Chris Chittel), who was left in a very bad way, and then as Jamie suffered a panic attack his mum showed up.

Later, Kim went on to pull a fast one on him by hiding the keys to his car so that he’d have to hang around with her for a bit.

As he grew desperate to get away from her, she began to dig deeper on why he hates her so much.

She was left reeling when he said it was because he considered her a bad person and didn’t want to turn out like her.

It got her thinking (or at least so it seemed) and she told him she would completely change her ways to be a better person for him. She promised to give up being manipulative and calculating in a bid to repair their relationship.

But just as Jamie was on the verge of being sucked in, she confessed she’d nicked his keys and he realised a leopard never changes its spots. Kim Tate will always be Kim Tate, that’s for damn sure.

But as he left Home Farm in a huff, Kim made it clear she hasn’t given up on her son. Could she really be about to change or is there a lot more manipulation coming Jamie’s way?

Liv Flaherty (Isobel Steele) knows way too much for Leyla Harding’s (Roxy Shahidi) liking in Emmerdale. Could she silence her the way she silenced Maya Stepney (Louisa Clein)?

After hearing about Maya’s supposed disappearing act, Liv went looking for the £10k she was owed by breaking into the cottage while Leyla and Tracy (Amy Walsh) were out.

Unfortunately for the teen, Leyla quickly returned and caught her red handed rifling through their belongings.

The story soon came tumbling out how Liv had been blackmailing Maya over her abuse of Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant), and a disgusted Leyla berated her for not telling an adult and saving Jacob from the terrible situation.

Liv cried as the gravity of what she’d done sank in, but when Tracy and Priya (Fiona Wade) returned, Liv realised that a bit of pot, kettle, black had been going on as she discovered they all knew and had kept it secret from David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden).

The teenager told them they needed to clue him in and call the police, but they warned her that absolutely nothing could be said as they’d ‘got rid’ of Maya. The penny dropped for Liv as she knew what that meant.

For one thing, it meant there would be no chance she’d get her money now, and thus she no longer has a reason to keep quiet.

The girls desperately tried to encourage her to keep schtum to protect their murderous secret, but will Liv listen?

Could she blow the lid on the girls having possibly offed Maya, or could they force her to keep it secret?

It didn’t take long for Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) to start to regret new Holby City signing Kian Madani (Ramin Karimloo). She automatically distrusts people who try to win the team over with baked (or deep-fried) goods, so Kian’s big plate of doughnuts didn’t impress her much. Nor did his habit of not turning up for her team talks, and for polishing off surgery at lightning speed.

The final straw was when he undermined her when they disagreed about how to treat a patient. When she refused to consider his way of doing things he told the patient’s son that Jac’s proposed plan carried higher risks. She was predictably furious and yelled at him in front of the entire ward. To be honest, I think she had a point and Kian got off lightly under the circumstances. It probably helped that in the end she decided to go for his procedure anyway.

One of the few people Jac will listen to is Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw), even when he is wearing a comedy tie courtesy of Scary Sue (‘Did your kids make that?’ Jac asked him). He pointed out that Jac should think of Darwin as a team and Kian is just one of the players. She’s either the captain or the manager, but either way she’s the boss. So she and Kian had a talk and seem to have reached an understanding. How long it’ll last is anyone’s guess.

There was no Carole Copeland this week, so Dominic (David Ames) could direct all his attention at biological mum Ange (Dawn Steele). His need for a relationship with her is starting to border on the obsessive. When an operation started to go wrong and he needed back-up, he insisted that only Ange would do even though Essie (Kaye Wragg) begged him to page Sacha too.

The obvious sticking point is that Chloe still doesn’t know she has a brother working in the very same hospital. When Ange got a call from Chloe to say that she was coming home early from her holiday (to Iceland with Evan), Ange was obviously worried and Dominic realised that Chloe would always come first with her.

Eventually Ange told Dominic that Chloe’s start in life had been even worse than his, because at least he came from a loving relationship. After she gave him away to the Copelands, Ange was raped and got pregnant as a result. She couldn’t face the pain of losing another child and kept her daughter. Chloe knows about her origins though Ange has tried not to make too much of it, but she felt that Chloe knowing about Dominic would bring up too many distressing questions for her. Dominic agreed that he wouldn’t tell Chloe he’s Ange’s son, ‘but you don’t get to abandon me again.’

With pink unicorns on her sleeves Scary Sue (Angela Lonsdale) would probably look more at home in the play-school decor of the YAU, but instead she was doing her first shift as matron on AAU. Donna (Jaye Jacobs) wondered why the other nurses were giving her evils, and discovered that Sue had given her the best shifts on the rota. This was either because Sue thinks of Donna as her new best friend, or that she mistakenly thought Donna was disappointed not to get the matron job herself, or both.

Sue isn’t that scary, but AAU patient o’ the week Marlene (Kathryn Howden) certainly was. She was a knuckle-cracking baker and ex-convict and Sue owed her money. As tough as she was, Marlene warned Donna that she’d rather be in prison than locked in a friendship with Scary Sue. It turned out that Marlene had been providing Sue with wedding cake samples, but now there isn’t going to be a wedding because the lovely fiancé that Sue mentioned last week has already run off. When Sue accidentally gave Marlene an overdose, Donna covered for her with Serena (Catherine Russell). Sue rewarded her with a ghastly pair of earrings and asked her to do a spot of overtime. I imagine Marlene’s words were echoing in Donna’s ears.

Sue Haasler is the author of the official Holby City book, which you can read about here. Her latest novel, Half A World Away, is out now

Maya Stepney (Louisa Clein) may be dead after a sinister showdown in the woods in Emmerdale left her missing without a trace – and now Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) could be top of the suspect list for murder as she makes a big confession to Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).

While on a night out, Maya saw David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) kissing Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh) and stormed out, meeting up with Jacob and sharing a kiss with him. Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade) came outside and witnessed the whole thing, wasting no time in informing Leyla and Tracy what she had seen.

The women angrily confronted Maya and this led to them driving her out of town – but as she escaped into the woods, they gave chase. What happened next remains unknown but when Maya’s scarf is found but the criminal teacher remains missing, suspicions are rife that serious harm has come to her.

With Jacob having not heard from her, Leyla sits down with him and confesses the truth about what actually happened. Through flashbacks we learn that there was a struggle and a terrifying series of events took the whole thing out of hand.

But has Maya been killed and have the ladies of Emmerdale now got a murder to cover up? And, if so, will Jacob report them to the police as he remains under the spell of manipulative Maya?

Fans have been hoping for Maya to get her justice but is this what they had in mind? Show producer Kate Brooks recently told us: ‘We’ve got a responsibility. A lot of people watch the show, a lot of teenagers watch the show, and also we would never just tell one of these stories lightly, we have a duty to make sure the right protocol is carried out, and the right outcome.’

But is that right outcome death?

A huge return will lead to delight and heartbreak in equal measure for Mary Taylor (Patti Clare) in Coronation Street – Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) is back, and he’s uncovering a few secrets.

Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) manages to royally screw things up with Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) after a bruised ego leads him to do something unforgivable.

Things take a turn in the efforts to find Carla Connor (Alison King), and they could put Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) at risk.

And there’s romance in the air for Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) when her old flame arrives back in town.

Monday 6th May – Part one

Mary is fuming when she finds Freda showing an estate agent around, and with no word from Norris Tracy convinces her maybe Freda offed him. She sees the urn with the picture of Norris and runs out horrified, only to see him getting out of a car down the street.

Geoff persuades Tim to cancel on dinner so her can have Yasmeen to himself, but he’s angry when he finds Alya is there instead. She leaves, feeling unwanted, and Geoff loses his temper, Yasmeen clearly doesn’t want to be alone with him. He flies off the handle and storms off, leaving Yasmeen aghast.

Dev is shocked to arrive at the kebab shop to see Gemma with her feet up while Tim helps himself behind the counter.

Ryan tells Rita he’s feeling low about life as he used to be a good DJ. Bethany tells him about a club in town looking for a DJ and reveals she put a good word in.

Monday 6th May – Part two

Mary can’t believe her eyes or ears at Norris’ return – he tells her he wants a divorce so he can marry Freda. Mary is suspicious his new squeeze is just a gold digger.

Yasmeen apologises to Geoff and asks him to come back. He’s glad to have his own way, but his mood clouds over once again when she mistakes his dumplings for cauliflower.

Chesney assures Dev Tim wasn’t stealing, he was just helping out a pregnant Gemma.

Bethany gives Ryan a box of vinyl and tells him to brush up on his DJing skills. Ali meddles and tells Ryan she must fancy him, no way would she go to that much trouble for just a pal. She suggests Alya hire him as a DJ at the bistro.

Dev takes a phone call from school that leaves him troubled as Aadi warns Asha their dad is going to be angry when he finds out the truth.

Wednesday 8th May – Part one

Ryan gets the gig at Speed Daal and he thanks Bethany for getting it for him. The pair share a flirt and Ryan goes in for the kiss – only for Bethany to recoil in horror. Embarrassed, he brushes it off by asking Alya out instead.

Freda shows Rita a pile of letters she found in the house, while Mary tells Norris she won’t sanction the divorce because she wants to protect him.

Michelle receives a worrying message from Peter who says he’ll give up rehab to go back out searching for Carla.

Wednesday 8th May – part two

Bethany manages to get Ryan to the flat, telling him she needs to explain. They chat and they end up heading for the bedroom – but will Ryan come clean about Alya?

Rita reads the letters and realises they’re from Brendan and he still loves Mary – and the last letter contains an engagement ring!

Michelle gets some surprising support from Robert, who helps her search for Carla.

Sally tells Sophie she’s meeting Paula for dinner and Sophie is taken aback. Later, Paula is upset that Sophie didn’t come along to dinner too.

Friday 10th May – part one

Alya is upset to see Ryan and Bethany on the street and all loved up, will she tell Bethany what happened?

Robert agrees on a lunch date with Michelle but is forced to cancel to go and see suppliers, and she admits to Ali how much she misses him. But as Robert heads off to a hotel for his meeting, he’s shocked by what he sees.

Mary tells Rita she’s made contact with Brendan, leaving a message on his phone. Norris apologises for keeping the letters, but perhaps it’s not too late when she receives a reply from Brendan.

Friday 10th May – part two

Norris tries to make things right with Mary but Freda is furious, realising that he must have feelings for her.

Ryan tells Bethany he only asked Alya out because he thought she didn’t want him. Alya offers Ryan a regular DJ spot at the bistro.

Paula invites Sophie to join her on a pony trekking holiday in Spain, much to Sally’s delight.

Dev is shocked by another call from the school and comes down hard on Asha.

Two complaints that viewers have had with modern day EastEnders is than it is not an authentic depiction of London and that there aren’t enough LGBTQ+ characters in the show.

It would be jarring to ‘solve’ this overnight but Kate Oates’ plans include opening a gay bar, increasing diversity and introducing more gay characters. And it has now been revealed that Walford will have its own Gay Pride march to coincide with the celebrations in London.

Metro.co.uk understands from a source close to the show that the event will be filled with joy and celebration but, as ever with TV soaps, there will be elements of drama running through the episode with ongoing storylines.

We also have had it confirmed that the gay bar will be open by the time the episode airs at the start of July.

A spokesperson for Stonewall told The Sun: ‘It’s been more than 30 years since EastEnders featured the UK’s first on-screen same-sex kiss. So it’s great to hear Walford will be celebrating Pride.’

A source added to their report: ‘It’s going to be a huge event on the square filled with joy. Kate thought that with Walford’s London identity it was a natural fit to tie in the two. But, as with any event on Albert Square, there is certain to be plenty of drama happening alongside the celebration.’

The event will be held as close to the real life London Pride as possible but of course, as this usually occurs on a Saturday, fans should expect to see the scenes air on the Friday.

So put your pens down, gaffe accusers!

Kate previously spoke of increasing the diversity of the show, saying: ‘I’m really interested in bringing some more LGBTQ characters in. We’re looking at opening a gay bar on the Square which will be a cool precinct where gay and straight characters can all just hang out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1-6QMHMv7/

Loved up EastEnders star Zack Morris, who plays Keegan Baker in the soap, has been pictured with his girlfriend Brooke Maskell and the pair are all smiles as they have been spending a lot of time together.

Brooke, a hair and make-up artist from Hertfordshire, has posted a number of pictures of herself with the actor on her Instagram page as the pair cosy up and pose together at events and it’s clear they are very happy together.

According to a report in The Sun, they have dating for just over a month and judging by the glowing pictures, it’s a good time for Zack who has recently been shortlisted as Best Actor at the British Soap Awards and is currently in the midst of a heartbreaking storyline involving young Bailey and her dying mother Dinah.

Zack’s character began as a bullying and aggressive teen known for causing trouble but as the rest of the Taylor family were introduced the show pulled back his layers, allowing him to deliver exceptional performances, particularly in the wake of the death of his best friend Shakil Kazemi.

The knife crime storyline is shortlisted at the awards too meaning that Zack may have cause for double celebration – perhaps with proud Brooke there to cheer him on.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwpoY6uH7tJ/

Responding to Brooke’s pictures, her friends and followers have commented that they are a ‘pair of cuties’ and Zack has simply responded with love heart emojis.

On screen, Keegan’s romantic life could be about to take a positive turn too as fans have noticed the none too subtle sparks flying between him and Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith).

It is believed that the pair will eventually embark on a romance which will hopefully have much more drama than the dates he is enjoying with Brooke.

Keegan will also have emotional scenes ahead as Dinah and Bailey’s storyline intensifies in coming months.

Coronation Street is set to air another soap first with the introduction of the genre’s first ever penis shaped carrot. And it certainly entertains Abi Franklin (Sally Carman) and Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) no end.

Now we’re not trying to say that carrot penis isthe main storyline strand in tonight’s double episode, in which Sally discovers that hubby Tim (Joe Duttine) has been cheating on his diet. But it’s certainly a highlight in this clip.

Before Sally discovers Tim’s cock-up that he has been dicking around with chocolate biscuits as she and Abi prepare a healthy lunch of squash and salad, Sally and Abi are amusing themselves by talking about a hit zombie show that she and Tim like to watch on a night.

But while Abi is clearly engrossed by Sally and Tim’s descriptions of the blood, gore and heart in the made-up fantasy show, her attention is soon diverted by the phallic shape of a carrot she is about to chop.

And Sally can’t help a coy smile as Abi holds the vegetable to her lips and smirks. The utter filth in this show – we are presuming that ITV plan to air a content warning before these scenes air. Think of the children.

To make the party complete, Steve and Tracy McDonald (Simon Gregson and Kate Ford) arrive for the veggie feast along with Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) but Tracy’s comment about someone leaving the meal on a stretcher doesn’t go down well with an unimpressed Sally.

But as everyone heads through to feast their eyes on the colourful ples of food – and the carrot penis – Sally rifles through Tim’s bag in which he has hidden a pack of biscuits among the kale.

Judging by her facial expression, she might be planning to shove that carrot where the sun doesn’t shine when she gets a hold of her lying hubby!

Faye Brookes left fans gobsmacked when she revealed yesterday she’s quitting Coronation Street, not least because not long ago she said she wasn’t going anywhere.

But now, despite just a month ago saying how happy she was with her character, she’s decided to leave for new adventures, and will be leaving our screens as Kate Connor in autumn this year.

After the news broke she tweeted to thank fans for their support and hinted that it could only be a temporary break, explaining that Kate needs ‘a break for a little while,’ and Corrie bosses said the door would be left open for a return.

But it still comes as a bit of a turn around after her interview in OK! magazine on 1 April.

In it, she said of Bhavna Limbachia’s decision to leave as Rana Habeeb: ‘I was gutted to hear she wanted to leave but I support her decision completely. She was really scared about telling me because we’re both so invested in the characters, she said it felt like she was breaking up with me.

‘I’ll miss her but we’re the best of friends and I’ve already seen her a couple of times since she left.’

She added that she wouldn’t be following suit because there was so much more to come from Kate.

‘Death was the only realistic way for Bhavna to leave because I’m not going anywhere,’ she said. ‘I love my job and feel like I’ve only just begun to sink my teeth into Kate.’

Could she have been offered a huge role to lure her away from the cobbles? She’s set to leave in autumn, has she been drawn in by the power of panto??

She tweeted: ‘Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield it’s time for me to explore new opportunities, I’ve loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I’m off to pastures new. #kana #corrie.’

Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield it's time for me to explore new opportunities, I've loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I'm off to pastures new. #kana #corrie♥️

— Faye Brookes (@Faye_Brookes) April 30, 2019

Fans began to speculate the reason behind the huge u-turn and shock move, with many wondering if it could be due to filming schedules – the show currently airs six episodes a week which can be a grueling schedule for filming. Faye and her now fiance Gareth Gates split last September after six years together, allegedly due to her busy schedule. Now that they’re planning a wedding, perhaps she’s thinking to her long term future.

Or perhaps her break from the soap is to coincide with the big day itself, allowing the couple a few months off to enjoy being newly weds before she returns.

Faye is the fifth star to quit Corrie in recent months, Bhavna being the first, followed by Kym Marsh, Connie Hyde and Tristan Gemmill.

In a statement, a Coronation Street spokesperson said: ‘Faye is a very talented actress who has put her all into the portrayal of Kate Connor for the past three and a half years, we wish her every success for the future.

‘She will be on screen until early autumn and the door will be left open.’

Reps for the show and for Faye Brookes have been contacted for comment.

Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) is already on the warpath in Emmerdale as he seeks revenge against Harriet Finch (Katherine Dow Blyton), who he blames for his own incarceration, but soon he could be adding his own daughter Dawn (Olivia Bromley) to his hit list as she show signs of switching sides.

Dawn has become close to Harriet but it was all part of recently released Will’s plot to get even with Harriet, who had worked undercover to expose his criminal deeds. However, the pair seem to have struck up a genuine bond as Harriet has shown remorse for how Dawn’s life ended up and she has tried to help her get access to her lost son.

Dawn continues to meet in secret with Will, who is plotting to up the ante against an already unsettled Harriet. Dawn seems to be on board but Will has cause to worry when he watches her chatting to Harriet.

Harriet has managed to arrange another meeting with social services about access to Dawn’s son, which means she is a step closer to potentially becoming a mum to him again.

Harriet takes delight in sharing the good news but is taken aback by Dawn’s lukewarm reaction. Of course, Dawn has mixed feelings as she realises how far Harriet is going to help her, all while she is plotting to do horrible things to her.

As Dawn eventually breaks into a grin and hugs Harriet for what she has done, a looming Will watches and fears that Dawn is having doubts about her loyalty to him.

Dawn will insist to Will that she is only using Harriet to get her son back but is she lying to him – and herself? Could she be set to betray Will’s plan and save Harriet from the nasty fate that Will has in store for the vicar?

Emmerdale continues on Wednesday 1st May at 7pm on ITV.

Spice Girl Emma Bunton has voiced her approval of EastEnders’ Kellie Bright dressing up as Baby Spice for an upcoming episode.

The BBC soap gave audiences a sneak peak earlier this week of Kellie’s character Linda Carter doing her best impression, alongside Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) dressed as Posh, Shirley (Linda Henry) as Scary and Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White) as Ginger.

Emma revealed that she went to school with Kellie, telling Lorraine Kelly: ‘She text me going, “Have you seen this?” This is a day at work for me.

‘Isn’t that brilliant? It’s so good.’

The picture of Walford’s very own Spice Girls was shared on the EastEnders Instagram, and the caption read: ‘People of Walford, Spice up your life! Every Mick, every Shirl, Spice up your life!

‘You’ll Wannabe there when this episode airs later in the year. #EastEnders #SpiceGirls (sic).’

Genius, if you ask us.

The Albert Square wannabes are set to attend a Spice Girls concert with scenes set to air later on in the spring and we’re possibly more excited than when the girls announced their comeback.

It’s no surprise really though that Emma’s over the moon with Kellie’s impersonation as the pair attended Sylvia Young Theatre School together back in the day and have been close pals ever since.

Kellie revealed that Emma gave her advice before she went on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2013, saying: ‘She’s a really good friend of mine and was in the Strictly class of 2006, when she came third. Emma said it was amazing and one of the best things she’s ever done.’

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Life is about to become very busy for Gemma Winter (Dolly Rose Campbell) in Coronation Street when her mum, Bernie, arrives in July. And she will be a force to be reckoned with, much like her daughter.

Gemma, who is currently pregnant, will be shocked by her mum’s arrival as will her brother Paul Foreman (Peter Ash). Bernie has been absent from their lives and is described as ‘an old raver who still sees herself as a free spirit. She is not one to be tied down to a man, a job or any responsibilities, especially when it means hard work for her.’

Jane Hazlegrove, best known for playing Casualty favourite Dixie, will take on the role and will waste no time in making waves in Weatherfield. She has a past of putting parties, man and general trouble making ahead of being a proper parent but Corrie insists she does love her kids.

Still, she might not be the best role model or an ideal babysitter when Gemma’s own sprog(s) come along!

Paul is more suspicious of Bernie’s motives – is she truly back to support Gemma through her pregnancy and prove she can be a good mum for once? Or does she have a hidden agenda?

Jane Hazlegrove said of her new role as the colourful Bernie: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Coronation Street. It’s where I started my apprenticeship as a very young actor. I can’t wait to get stuck in’.

A Coronation Street spokesperson added: ‘Like mother, like daughter. We are very pleased that the fantastic Jane Hazlegrove has agreed to join the cast as the irrepressible and impossible Gemma’s even more irrepressible and impossible mother. Fur will fly!

With reports speculating that Gemma will actually give birth to quadruplets, she is going to have quite the busy household. Spare a thought for Chesney!

Kirsty-Leigh Porter has thanked fans of Hollyoaks for their unwavering support as she returns to the show following the tragic death of her baby daughter.

The actress has reprised her role as Leela Lomax, returning to support Peri in the wake of Lily McQueen’s (Lauren McQueen) death, which is Kirsty-Leigh’s first time on screen since her daughter Penny-Leigh was tragically delivered stillborn in December.

Following her return, the star took to Twitter to thank fans for their support in the wake of such devastation, sharing a gif of her character returning to the village.

She tweeted: ‘Sorry I’m late to the party… But yeah! Leela’s BACK! And what a perfect opportunity to thank you all for your love and support over the last couple of months. I don’t care what anyone says..@Hollyoaks fans really ARE the best. Thank you #OtOhLeelasBack (sic)’

Kirsty-Leigh previously tweeted her joy at being back onset and reunited with her onscreen family, writing: ‘Sometimes waters as thick as blood [heart emojis] @mrkieronrichardson @rubyodonnellx (sic)’

Sorry I’m late to the party… But yeah! Leela’s BACK! 🎉 And what a perfect opportunity to thank you all for your love and support over the last couple of months. I don’t care what anyone says.. @Hollyoaks fans really ARE the best. Thank you 🙏🏼😊❤️ #OtOhLeelasBack 🤪 https://t.co/YUPNxqW8NH

— Kirsty-Leigh Porter (@KirstyLPorter) April 30, 2019

In March, the former Emmerdale actress revealed her loss and paid an emotional tribute to her baby girl on what would have been her due date.

She wrote: ‘Today is your due date, 5th of March 2019. I never would have imagined feeling how I feel about it today. For the last few weeks I have been dreading this day. What a huge contrast to the months of excitement I felt from the moment we were told you would be due here today. After that very first scan, my life changed, and it became all about you, after the dating scan, everything was all leading up to this date.

‘The date I could NOT wait for, is finally here and it’s nothing how I had thought it would be. I can’t help imagining, would you have been here by now? Or would you have kept us waiting longer and stayed tucked up past today? Either way I don’t get to hold you in my arms. (sic).’

Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity) supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. Call their freephone helpline on 0808 164 3332, email helpline@sands.org.uk or visit www.sands.org.uk

Madeleine West has returned to the set of Neighbours – but as who? Is she Andrea, the mentally ill woman who posed as Toadie’s dead wife, or is she this time playing the real Dee?

If the hints are to be believed, it could be the latter as she’s arrived on set with dark brunette hair, having been blonde just days earlier –  Toadie (Ryan Moloney) could be about to come face to face with his first ever love who was killed in a tragic accident!

Madeleine played the original Dee Bliss, who died on her wedding day to Toadie when he snogged her instead of watching the road and accidentally drove off a cliff.

Madeleine returned to the show in 2017 as a woman posing as the original Dee, Andrea Somers, who conned Toadie into giving her A$100,000, having sex with her and fathering her baby Hugo.

Now, we know that Andrea is returning soon, but we also know that Andrea has revealed that she knows where the real Dee actually is after she and her mum discussed her having a ‘trump card’. So if Madeleine is back on set, who is she playing this time?

Her photo from set shows her beside actor Ryan Moloney, and gives a nod to the fact it is seriously unclear as to what she’s up to.

She wrote: ‘It’s ok, #toadie …. we are as confused as you @neighbours.’

The actress has also dyed her hair from trademark blonde to dark brunette, suggesting that this time perhaps she could be playing a different character – or the real Dee.

Just days earlier she shared a snap from set of her with blonde hair, adding to the mystery.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw3D3EqJpzf/

So soon after the tragic death of his wife Sonya, is Toadie ready to face this?

Alan Fletcher, who plays Karl Kennedy, revealed to metro.co.uk that she comes back in a ‘stunning way’ – and teased that she won’t be alone.

Madeleine told us: ‘There’s a huge end game. I cannot say what it is, and I certainly can’t tell you anything. I’d be drawn and quartered if I did. It’s going to be GREAT! It is something that you will not expect. And you’re going to have to just keep watching.

‘I don’t think I’m taking it too far to say this is going to be the best storyline there has ever been in the history of Neighbours.’

WARNING: This article contains EastEnders spoilers for a future storyline which some readers may wish to avoid.

EastEnders is set to air sad scenes as a character dies in coming weeks. Cast are currently filming funeral scenes for the departed character as a family is ripped apart by tragedy.

Dinah Baker (Anjela Lauren Smith) will pass away, leaving her young carer daughter Bailey (Kara-Leah Fernandes) distraught. The Taylors – including Karen (Lorraine Stanley), Keegan (Zack Morris) and Keanu (Danny Walters) will be there to help support her through the rough day as she says goodbye to her ailing mother.

Fears have been raised for Bailey’s welfare as she has determined to look after her mum, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Karen and Mitch (Roger Griffiths) have broached the idea of Dinah going into a home but this has filled Bailey with dread.

Today, pictures have shown the cast filming together at a church for Dinah’s service. Clair Norris, who plays Bernie Taylor was also spotted among the Taylors in attendance as was Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer) and husband Gray (Toby Alexander-Smith).

In coming weeks, viewers will see Dinah deteriorate – however, the exact nature of her death is being kept under wraps, with a TV source hinting to Metro.co.uk that she may not perish as a direct result of the MS.

We were told by our source: ‘Bailey is far too young to be in the position she is in, even with the support of the Taylors and this is a guilt that Dinah carries with her constantly.

‘As well as her ongoing pain day to day from her MS, she desperately wants Bailey to not be bound to her which is where the talk of going into care came about.

‘However, the storyline isn’t as straight forward as Dinah passing away from the symptoms of her MS. What is clear though is that the Taylors and Bakers are going to have to be there for Bailey now more than ever.’

With the scenes being filmed today, viewers can expect them to air later in the spring.

It seems that ice queen Kim Tate (Claire King) might finally be having be heart melted – and not by a love interest.

The iconic character was recently given the phone number of someone very special to her, and in receiving this has called off her feud with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb).

The number is that of her son James Tate (Alexander Lincoln) – also known as Jamie – and the two have been estranged for many years now. Kim has been pulling all sorts of strings to get him back, including getting him a job offer at the local vets, and making truces with those she’s wronged for contact information. Would we have expected any less?

Although it was the ’90s since we last saw Jamie, it turns out we might be seeing a lot more of him. But will he be a permanent character on the soap?

We can confirm that Jamie is here to stay in Emmerdale, and he may just go some to calming down heartless Kim, too (as well as taking on some of mother dearest’s Machiavelli traits).

Belle Dingle is going to take a liking to him, and there will be plenty of family drama to keep him in the Dales, too.

On the subject of his character’s return, Alex Lincoln told Metro.co.uk: ‘He’s easily manipulated by Kim so he’s brought back into the fold even though he doesn’t want to be.

‘But he does sort of want to be, she’s his mum. Even when you’re estranged I think you still want that relationship even though he admits himself he doesn’t want it.’

As for whether or not we’ll see Jamie end up like his manipulative mum, Alex teased: ‘Maybe! Who knows. I think with your parents there’s always certain traits you’ll always come back to. ‘So whether he knows it or not, maybe he is manipulative in his own way, but it doesn’t shine through at the moment. So potentially.’

Claire King said that this merging of characteristics will work both ways, commenting: ‘There will be a few stories that come along where he will influence her and possibly she’s got a few kinder words for certain Dingles in the future.’

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