SOAP WATCH
JACI STEPHEN’S ultimate insight into the week’s soaps
As the soaps return to regular episodes, it’s interesting to observe changes that have taken place among the casts while absent. Was there a Soapland Boot Camp we didn’t know about?
In the Secrets From The Square shows, viewers have been shocked to see Adam Woodyatt’s recent weight loss. Having played Eastenders’ Ian Beale since day one in 1985, inevitably there have been different incarnations along the way, but he looks completely transformed — and terrific.
Likewise Corrie’s Colson Smith, who plays Craig Tinker. Following a bout of food poisoning he embarked on a health and fitness regime and returned to the show 10st lighter — yet not one character commented on it. Ian Bartholomew, who plays Geoff, appears to have shed a few pounds too, another weight loss that’s gone unnoticed by the usually nosy and judgmental Street folk.
Maybe weight is too sensitive an issue, unlike beards. Sally commented on Dev’s beard, which he acquired during lockdown, and surely the forestry that is now Billy’s face makes him frontrunner to play Santa come Christmas. Albeit at a social distance.
EMMERDALE
BULLETPROOF PLOTS
There can be only one reason for the disproportionately high number of gun-related stories in this village compared to gun crime in reality: the show’s props department has run out of money. Is it the same gun every time? This week, Will, paranoid that Malone is lurking, picks up a gun from a friend for self-defence. Dawn is not happy and reminds him what happened last time he brought a weapon into the house.
Then, suddenly Dawn’s confessing all and revealing to Will (pictured) that she shot and killed Malone. Please, someone write a cheque for those props people.
■ THE CAMERA NEVER LIES There was a moment when Geoff briefly redeemed himself last week — applying for a licence so that Speed Daal could sell alcohol (At last! Welcome to the 21st century), then getting it delivered (a tad premature, Geoff — it can take weeks to be approved). Having heard about the CCTV camera he set up, Sally wastes no time in gaining access to Geoff’s laptop and the footage he thought he had deleted (I told you months ago! It will all be in the cloud!).
Is the game finally up for Geoff when the police call to say that new evidence has come to light and take him in for questioning (pictured)? When Tim discovers that Elaine really seems to be missing, the penny finally drops about his dad.
In financial news, a worried Dev has to sell the kebab shop. No surprises there; I think they’ve sold three kebabs since Christmas. When staff outnumber sales by three to one, you’re in trouble. Goodness knows why; everyone is still ignoring the nearby Co-op and buying local — even for granola, as
Sally did on Wednesday. Blimey, she’s come a long way since feeding those kids on fish fingers and baked beans every night.