SOAP WATCH

One of the difficulties under Covid restrictions, with social distancing and limited characters, is to keep plots bubbling. Corrie got away with the lengthy Oliver storyline thanks to extraordinary acting from Jane Danson (Leanne), but extending it with the whole feather visitation thing is pushing things too far – a veritable stairway to heaven too far.

We can only endure so many shots of Debbie shuffling paperwork, or Tyrone fiddling about with cars (any idea who owns all these vehicles the garage works on?). But by far the worst is the prison stuff with Johnny’s visions. When you have to bring in imaginary mice and cockroaches to move stories along, you have a serious plot famine.

Emmerdale is managing pretty well, and I find Gabby’s mask, always hanging from one ear, ample entertainment. I just keep wondering why anyone, unless they had a Van Gogh penchant for chopping off ears, would wear it like that.

Eastenders is doing a great job and it’s been years since I’ve screamed ‘Noo!’ when an episode ends. But please tell Sharon the glasses go rim-side down in the dishwasher.

NEVER A TRUER WORD ‘There’s a severe shortage of fit blokes round ’ere.’ Daisy to Ryan, Corrie DELUDED GRANDMOTHER ‘She’s very wise, our Sarah-lou.’ Audrey to Gail, Corrie