SOAP WATCH

The first known use of the phrase ‘soap villain’ was in the US press in 1975 and related to the character of Lisa Colman in American show As the World Turns. Today, it’s part of UK soap language, and one of the most hotly contested awards when soap gongs are handed out is that of Villain of the Year.

Yet where once a villain was an isolated baddie, today they litter the screens with unnerving regularity. Aidan is leading the way in EastEnders, but Mel, Phil and numerous bad Godfather impersonators (Mick being Chief Failure in this respect) are not far behind. In Emmerdale, villains are fast outnumbering the good guys and gals on a daily basis.

Pat Phelan is dominating Corrie, but now Josh has entered the fray. With David’s help, he’s already kidnapped and threatened Lee, and we are about to witness David’s rape by his seeming new best friend.

The contrast between good and evil is the stuff of great drama, but is soapland going into overkill with its breeding frenzy of villains? Murder, violence, guns… stuff that used to be the preserve of the watershed is now primetime. Whatever happened to entertainment?

NO TO DESSERT, THANKS

The news that the Street is getting a Co- op (not to mention a Costa) has not come soon enough. How can anyone prepare a halfdecent meal on the back of Dev’s fish fingers and seemingly endless pizza supplies?

Will Zeedan acquire one of the mysterious Co-op bags that have been appearing recently when Leanne agrees to stay for dinner? Seeing how upset he is after declaring his love for Rana, her kindness backfires when he makes a drunken pass at her (above), which he instantly regrets. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last, mate; no need to apologise. When

SCARIEST THOUGHT

‘You shoulda seen the size o’ my aubergines.’ Liz, reminiscing about Spain, Corrie BEST CHARACTER ANALYSIS ‘Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Complete Nut Jobs.’ Steve, about Tracy, Corrie

Kate tells Rana she saw Zeedan chase Leanne down the street, Rana explains their marriage is just a financial arrangement. As she and Kate declare their love once more, how will Zeedan react when he finds them together?

The tedium of distressed vicar Billy is dragging on. He hits another low this week and offers Lee Todd’s pocket watch in exchange for methadone. I’ve never been a fan of drugs storylines because, dramatically, they just aren’t interesting: people keep taking them and die, or they recover. Billy peering out like a southern fur seal hiding in a campervan blanket just isn’t cutting the mustard for me.