Soap bubbles

The EastEnders character, Bobb y Beale, is sure to cause a stir this summer when he returns to Albert Square following a three-year stint behind bars. Clay Milner Russell is to take on the role of Bobby. Fans will remember Bobby being at the centre of one of EastEnders’ most talked-about storylines; the murder of his sister, Lucy Beale, and received a custodial sentence for his crimes. How will the residents of Walford react to his return, and how will Bobby settle into Walford life? Clay has started filming and his scenes will be airing this summer. He will be the fifth actor to play the role of Bobby.

A popular character from EastEnders, Bianca Jackson, is also heading back to the soap.

Patsy Palmer has said she is delighted to be returning in a guest role in the autumn but fans will be hoping that this could turn into a regular spot. Bianca returns to the old neighbourhood to be reunited with youngest daughter, Tiffany Butcher. Julia Goulding, who plays Shona in Corrie, is pregnant in real life. Will she and soap partner David Platt have a baby or will Shona have a reason to leave Weatherfield? Things are going very badly for them at the moment so this baby could be written in as a way out for Shona.

The British Soap Awards, held on June 1, threw up a surprise when Hollyoaks won the Best Soap award, beating the big guns, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Hollyoaks is going from strength to strength recently and they also took home wins for Best Actor, (see page 27) for Gregory Finnegan (James), Villain of the Year for Nathan Sussex (Buster), and Best Male Dramatic Performance went to Adam Woodward (Brody).