Tonight in Coronation Street (17 Dec) Gail is asked to turn on the Windasses’ Christmas lights. Why? Is she the closest thing Weatherfield has to a minor celebrity? No, the Windasses have only gone and decorated her house too – in all manner of gaudy Christmas paraphernalia. Ho-ho-no!
Needless to say, Gail is not amused and orders the lights to be taken down.
You’d think the Street could do with a bit of brightening up what with Liam’s killer Tony still at large and widow Maria (very nearly his second victim on Monday just gone) close to breaking point.
Anyway, we’re guessing there’s no light at the end of the tunnel in the Platt vs Windasses feud and Christmas decorations are probably just the tip of the iceberg. Can’t wait to see what the ‘Asses have up their sleeves for New Year!
Superbitch Janine Evans is back in EastEnders this week. In Thursday’s episode (18 Dec) she’s marrying a wealthy, much older gentleman. True love? Don’t be silly!
After the return of Bianca Jackson and Ricky Butcher proved a success earlier this year, we’ve got high hopes for Janine’s comeback – fingers crossed her re-entry into the Square is more successful than Clare Bates’ return. (Well it can hardly be any worse – what a waste of a potentially great character!)
Plus, if the re-appearance of Janine isn’t enough, we’ve got soap’s best-ever bad boy Nick Cotton coming back as a Christmas Day surprise for his dear old ma – and us!
All of which has got us thinking. Who would you like to see back in the Square? Joe Swash, fresh from his I’m a Celebrity… win, back as Mickey Miller perhaps? Or what about golden couple Kat and Alfie Moon back from travelling America? Or even Cindy Beale?… Yes, we know she’s supposed to be dead but that didn’t stop Dirty Den’s comeback and there are those persistent rumours that she didn’t really die in prison!
Me? I’m with Barbara Windsor in wanting to see Peggy’s second bad boy son Grant return. The Mitchell clan just hasn’t been the same without him and they need a few more members of the family to take on the ever-expanding Brannings.
But what about you? Who gets your comeback vote?
The unlikeliest soap characters can’t resist a Santa costume! To spread a little festive cheer here are some of our all-time faves…
John Thompson (Cold Feet) is heading to Coronation Street for a brief stint next week (Monday, 15 Dec and Wednesday, 17 Dec). We caught up with him to talk about his character - Wild West party entertainer Jesse Chadwick.
How was it appearing in Coronation Street?
Chris Gascoyne (who plays Peter Barlow) is my best mate, so it’s nice to know a few faces. I must admit I do get the shakes a bit when I go in the Rovers because it’s so iconic – and you think ‘Oh my god! This is like history.’
How did the role come about?
Kim Crowther (Corrie producer) had worked with me on ITV drama Mobile and then she saw me and Chris doing some sketches at the Wish Upon A Star charity ball. The idea is for my character and Chris’ character Peter Barlow to move in together next year as, like, the odd couple of the Street.
So you’ll be coming back next year?
I would love to come back because I’ve had such a nice time and everyone was great. It’s just about fitting it in around other work commitments.
Who are you playing in the show?
My character is called Jesse Chadwick. He’s an electrician and also a children’s entertainer in a western-themed party show in which he plays General Custard. Unfortunately his wife, who is also part of his act, leaves him and he has to do a party for Steve McDonald’s daughter Amy. The lovely Eileen Grimshaw steps in as Hia-Lowa to help him out.
Is there chemistry between Eileen and Jesse?
At this stage yes, but I’d like to think that I’ll come back and be the new lothario of the Street.
You’ve appeared in Coronation Street before… Who did you play?
It was 20 years ago. I played Gary the biker buying spare parts from Jim McDonald. My big scene was with Mavis Wilton. I offered her a Harvey Wallbanger and she said she’d rather have a small sherry and Derek would sort me out if he saw me.
So if you return next year when will it be and for how long?
It’s still subject to negotiations but as it stands April is when I start filming but we might be bringing it forward. We’re looking at four to six months if possible. The problem is now I’m a regular in ITV series Kingdom so I wouldn’t want to upset them. So Jesse will either be killed by a faulty transformer or maybe given the opportunity to return in the distant future.
Last night in EastEnders Bianca Jackson discovered the horrible truth that fiancé Tony King has been abusing her step-daughter Whitney Dean.
It’s been a challenging storyline since its introduction in September but yesterday’s episode (9 December) was tense, dramatic and superbly acted. Actress Patsy Palmer (who plays Bianca) was brilliant and the episode will be remembered as a landmark half an hour in the show’s history – if one of the more difficult to watch.
But what did you think? Was the storyline handled well? Do you think the show was right to tackle such a sensitive issue or was it just too gritty a plot for a soap? And what did you think of the actors’ performances?
Hollyoaks is set to introduce a new character to the village. Zak Ramsey’s sister Hayley (played by Kelly-Marie Stewart) will arrive at the end of January. According to the show Hayley’s ‘bubbly, fun-loving and a bit of a practical joker.
‘A wheelchair user, 19-year-old Hayley hates being defined by her condition, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and refuses to let it separate her from the crowd. However she’s also realistic about the limitations it sometimes causes to her life, particularly romantically.’
According to a Hollyoaks spokesperson, Hayley and Zak used to get on great before Hayley became ill and now Zak has trouble seeing past her disability. Hayley’s also set to cause big problems with Zak’s love life as he begins a relationship with Michaela McQueen.
Actress Kelly-Marie, who has the same condition as Hayley, says: ‘Hayley’s very feisty and has the right attitude that if anyone is not cool enough to see her for who she actually is, it’s their problem, not hers. I can’t wait to see how Hayley takes on anybody who dares to show their ignorance, not least her own brother.’
(Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.)
Kym Marsh (Coronation Street’s Michelle Connor) is having a baby with partner Jamie Lomas (Hollyoaks’ Warren Fox).
The couple only went public with their relationship in July but have recently revealed that they’ve already talked marriage – and obviously family too!
Kym will continue to play Corrie’s Michelle through her pregnancy and, as the eighth cast member to be expecting in the past year, will be in good company at work. Julia Haworth (Clare Peacock), Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) and Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) have all had babies in the last six months, while Alison King (Carla Gordon), Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby), Jack P Shepherd (David Platt) and Wanda Opalinska (Wiki Dankowska) are all expecting new arrivals in early 2009.
It’s a wonder how the Corrie scriptwriters can cope with all the comings and goings!
Oh dear! Having murdered Shane, Emmerdale’s Jasmine needs to get rid of the body and quick. So what does she do? With the help of Eli and Debbie, she sends the body to the bottom of the lake at Home Farm tonight (5 Dec).
Someone should really tell Jasmine that dead bodies in soap have a habit of returning from where they were dumped to cause all manner of problems. (Think EastEnders‘ Dirty Den buried under the Queen Vic). But then Carl King, responsible for bumping off his dad Tom, has been getting away with murder since Christmas 2006 so who knows what the outcome is going to be?
As it happens, we can reveal that someone else is going to end up arrested for the murder… Who? Watch this space!
Here comes trouble! On Monday (8 Dec) new clan the Windasses move next door to the Platts on Coronation Street. It’s time to properly meet the family we’re affectionately dubbing the Asses! But on first glimpse we can’t help feeling they’re a bit too much like original neighbours-from-hell the Battersbys. Only time will tell if the Windasses are made of the same stuff as the Barlows, Platts and the Websters or if they’re heading the same way as most of the Mortons.
(from left to right)
Gary Windass
Son: The son of Anna and Eddie, hot-headed Gary is a dodgy piece of work thanks to the influence of his Uncle Len.
Most likely to: Try it on with every eligible female in the Street.
Len Windass
Uncle: The tougher, older brother of Eddie – Len is proud of the Windass family heritage of causing trouble and wants Gary to carry on the tradition.
Most likely to: Kick-start a one-man crime wave in Weatherfield.
Eddie Windass
Dad: Eddie is an expert at working the system – and spends most of his time avoiding work.
Most likely to: Hang around the Rovers and steer clear of any form of legitimate employment.
Anna Windass
Mum: Wily mum Anna is married to Eddie, but wears the trousers in the Windass house so mess with her at your peril.
Most likely to: Take on Gail Platt and Eileen Grimshaw single-handedly!
