Further education tends not to be too big a deal in soap operas. Why would it? Characters in all the major soaps invariably end up working in low-paid jobs a stone’s throw from their own front doors.
In Coronation Street Craig Tinker is studying for his A-levels but if his character stays in the show it’s inevitable he’ll be working in the kebab shop or as a grease monkey for Kevin Webster. The only graduate on the Street is Ken Barlow, his ‘boffin’ status often hammered home by producers who like to show him carrying a library book into The Rovers. Wouldn’t a clever, confident girl like Alya Nazir have ambitions beyond working in the knicker factory at the end of her road?
Emmerdale’s Belle, meanwhile, was supposedly the brains of the Dingle family yet she left school at 16 to work in a sweet factory with her annoying mum. In EastEnders much was made of Johnny studying law and being the first Carter to go to university – but what’s the betting he drops out to help run the already massively overstaffed Queen Vic before too long?
Todd dices with danger
Todd places himself in real danger when he confronts Phelan and his sidekick Vinny about the dodgy development at Calcutta Street.
But things take a turn when Billy discovers it was Todd who blabbed to the Bishop about their relationship. Todd declares he did it to force Billy into seeing how the church was not right for him but Billy is furious and dumps him. An angry Todd decides it’s no more Mr Nice Guy and tells Phelan he wants in on the deal and will help flog the non-existent flats.
Soon Phelan and Todd have two interested parties on the Street with Alex (pictured, far right, with Todd and Phelan) and Sharif’s bit-on-the-side Sonia. Guilt-ridden at having bedded Sonia under his wife’s roof, Sharif offers to buy his mistress one of Phelan’s flats to get her out of the house before Yasmeen clocks what’s going on – but granddaughter Alya is already onto them. Will she keep the dirty secret from her grandmother?
Having abandoned her in the Bistro, Freddie tries to make amends by turning up at Audrey’s salon on his motorbike to whisk her off for a romantic lunch. How will she be able to resist? It’s hard to imagine Freddie’s love rival Ken on a Harley with the wind in his hair.
Is Buster busted?
Tina is devastated to learn that Sonia plans to leave Walford for a new life without her, and Bex isn’t too happy about it either, especially as it means she has to move in with her dad. So that’s Stacey, Martin, baby Arthur, Belinda, Kyle and Bex all living in a two-bedroom flat (right)? How does that work, exactly?
Stacey finds the bills are becoming a struggle to pay, leading Kyle to ask Steven for a pay rise. When he refuses Kyle threatens to reveal the truth about the break-in at Beale’s. Didn’t take him long to get into the Walford/blackmail way of life, did it?
At least Sonia’s leaving means Jane finally gets to leave the house and wave her off. The poor woman’s been sitting in front of the telly with a tray on her lap for months now.
The hearing for Paul’s killers takes place and Les insists he must go to court to confront them. Fed up with her husband’s behaviour, Pam suggests it’s time he brought ‘Christine’ back to help him cope. Considering Pam left Les because of his cross-dressing, it seems highly unlikely she’d want Christine back in their lives.
By the end of the week the Carter family find out whether Ollie will suffer any long-term consequences following his head injury. They also start to suspect Buster may be having an affair. About time. I’ve lost count of how often Buster has mysteriously disappeared and turned his phone off claiming to be meeting some bloke about fish.
Fear and loathing in Carrigstown
Oisin’s betrayal is exposed as he starts to untie Paul, who fears for his life as Zumo’s scheme to save Denzo goes awry. Zumo forces Rachel into his plot, drawing Denzo, Decco and Charlotte into even more trouble. Denzo eventually discovers Zumo’s murderous intentions and takes drastic action in order to save his family from catastrophe.
Rachel uncovers Paul’s blackmail of Charlotte, prompting her to make a lifechanging decision. Niamh plots her revenge on Paul but Hughie fights to prevent outraged Niamh from revealing all. Cathal presents Debbie (pictured above with Tommy) with a horrifying dilemma: he will give her information about Katy’s disappearance if she sleeps with him. But there is a further twist as Debbie is left devastated by Cathal’s cruelty.
Kerri-Ann and Decco’s marriage hangs in the balance and Sash pushes Decco to stand up against her.
Elsewhere, John Deegan arrives back in Carrigstown and is shocked to find out that Angela has been sleeping in his room. Ray is delighted at Deegan’s return, thinking this means Angela will have to leave. However Angela has other plans and announces she will be taking Ray’s bedroom and he can sleep on the couch.
A case of bride and seek
It’s the week of Tracy and David’s wedding but will the big day go off without a hitch? Don’t be ridiculous.
When did anyone in Emmerdale ever marry without any dramas? Dad Frank decides the best way to make Tracy see how much he loves her is to kidnap her and leave her stranded miles from the church. Will she make it back in time for the ceremony?
They must be putting something in the Emmerdale water because there’s love in the air for Jai and Holly, Frank and Megan, and Pete and Leyla – and a marriage proposal for Kerry from Dan (above). Let’s hope no secret husband turns up to ruin things again.
Arrested development
After months of intense, hard work, Detective Inspector Nikki has finally made an arrest and now has Brian’s killer in her custody.
With the evidence piled high, Nikki and Rory are more confident than ever that they have their murderer.
But will Nikki crack under mounting pressure as she faces harsh criticism from Superintendent Dunne? Detective Rory seizes a golden opportunity, in the hopes advancing his career.
Meanwhile, it’s been a bumpy road for Katie and David (pictured) but it looks like they’re finally bonding over raising their son. The only problem is the omnipresence of Patricia Hennessy and her extravagant gifts for baby Luke. Is there hope for Katie and David reigniting their romance despite Patricia’s interference?
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