Is Daisy’s love plot doomed?

At a time when there is much debate about whether straight actors should play gay characters and vice versa, thank goodness for people like Rob Mallard (Daniel) who, though openly gay in real life, just gets on with the job and plays the role of Most Desired Male in Soapland with great aplomb. Sinéad, Summer, Nicky, Daisy (right, with Daniel), Mrs ‘Call me Orla’ Crawshaw — is no woman immune to his charms? Never mind that he hasn’t fed his son since 2021, or even bothered to get a babysitter for him when he hits the town, Daniel is serious MDM.

Maybe it’s because he reads books — well, holds them, which isn’t quite the same thing. Not since Ken bought his daily copy of The Guardian in The Kabin has Weatherfield been awash with so much intellectual passion.

Daisy’s not happy though, and is intent on taking Nicky off the market. She sets her up with her ex, Ashley (remember him? One of only two football players in the Weatherfield County team), but the plot goes awry when it’s revealed that Ashley knew Nicky in her past guise as a sex worker (they get around these footballers; bring back striker Saint Tommy Orpington, I say). Before you know it, images of Nicky are all over the internet, and Daniel assumes Daisy is responsible. My guess is it’s Max, who I suspect is also deeply in love with Daniel. I tell you: I’ll have what he’s drinking. Or maybe it’s the haircut; in which case, I’ll have the number of his stylist.

Back in the land of comedy (which is much needed right now), George and Todd have to arrange a funeral for a bigamist and two Mrs Littles. Two’s company, three’s a shroud.