Claudia Connell’s ultimate insight into this week’s soaps
Nobody has given Todd Grimshaw a second thought in nearly three years. Now, suddenly, everyone is desperately concerned for his welfare – the reason being the character has been recast and is about to return to Weatherfield.
It’s a fine example of how soap children go missing for years and nobody seems to care, least of all their parents. Corrie’s Rosie Webster went to Japan to work on a TV gameshow in 2018 and has never been spoken of again by mum Sally or dad Kevin. And when was the last time Dev mentioned daughter Amber, who left eight years ago?
In Emmerdale Moira has all but forgotten about her son Adam – a tad selfish considering he falsely confessed to Emma Barton’s murder in order to save her, before going on the run more than two years ago.
Down Walford way, Phil Mitchell struggled to remember his daughter Louise, who left as a toddler and was out of the picture for years at a time before returning as a teenager. Now she’s gone abroad to start a new life, he can put her to the back of his mind again.
Is it any wonder they all turn out so badly?
CORONATION STREET: Is Abi an addict?
Abi Franklin (Sally Carman), (pictured, right, with Debbie), insists to Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) she didn’t take anything from the hospital. Debbie is suspicious
Peter Barlow, the patron saint of Weatherfield addicts, swoops in to save Abi when she looks in danger of sinking back into drug abuse.
He swipes the morphine she nicked from the hospital and tells her she must attend an addicts’ meeting. A concerned Carla reminds Peter it wasn’t all that long ago Abi was in love with him. Maybe Abi’s going to score in more ways than one.
Kevin’s sister Debbie arrives for a visit and is suspicious of Abi. She tells her not to mess with Kevin.
Johnny returns from France and Scott tells him it’s time they had a chat. Does that mean we’re going to finally find out what went on between them and how Carla fits into it all? Carla’s had so many relatives from her past turn up, if Scott turns out to be related then one more won’t make a difference.
Sean and Billy join forces to try to find Todd, and turn to a missing persons’ charity for help. Billy’s involvement means he misses Paul’s surprise party, but as it was organised by Gemma that’s really no hardship.
Yasmeen is alarmed to hear Elaine’s gone missing and may not be able to testify. Perhaps she’s run off with Todd?
EMMERDALE: Sugden sorrow
Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) gets news that Annie has died. Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) feels awful for her
Victoria gets the devastating news that her grandmother, Annie, has died and Marlon is on hand to comfort her. Will the news drive her into the arms of Luke?
Why does everyone in Emmerdale think that Luke and Victoria are made for each other? Amy, Bob and Marlon are forever plotting ways to get them together.
What’s his appeal? He’s a humourless wimp who seems to be forever loitering on street corners and hanging out in cafés in the hope of bumping into Victoria. I know it’s a case of slim pickings when it comes to decent men in Emmerdale, but there must be someone better than lurking Luke.
One relationship that’s ticking along nicely (for now) is that of Nate and Tracy. They’ve been together a whopping seven months – that’s the equivalent to ten years in soapland so, naturally, they’re having a baby.
As Tracy’s 12-week scan approaches, she pressures Nate to find a job and get money coming in. He gets his job back at Wylies but he has another earning potential – blackmail.
Having overheard a conversation, Nate knows it was Jamie who ran Moira over and Jamie offers him a bribe to keep quiet. Nate entered the village as the home-wrecking secret son of Cain Dingle, but he’s become worryingly nice of late. Now’s his chance to prove he’s his father’s son.
Elsewhere Belle goes public with her relationship with Jamie, to the disappointment of her family. You’d have thought they’d be pleased – he’s desperately dull and commits the odd crime, but Belle’s last serious boyfriend was a serial killer, so he’s an upgrade.
EASTENDERS: Taylor made for Walford
Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer) is a victim of domestic violence from her husband Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith)
This week there are two Secrets From The Square episodes, with Tuesday’s one devoted to the Taylors. When Karen arrived in 2017 she was a gobby, uncouth, single mum.
She’s still all those things, but has developed and mellowed – and even found love with serial loser Billy Mitchell.
Things aren’t so rosy for her daughter Chantelle, who is secretly a victim of domestic violence from her husband Gray (pictured).
I hope they quickly pick up the storyline when new episodes resume next month – I don’t fancy Gray’s chances against Karen once she gets wind of what’s been happening.