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July 04
Hello and welcome to Friday's edition of A Slice Of Soap. I'm starting with very sad news; Clive Hornby, who played Jack Sugden in Emmerdale, died on Thursday night at the age of 63. He was the longest-serving cast member in Emmerdale's history.
 Clive Hornby had not been in the ITV soap for around three months due to ill health. He first appeared in Emmerdale on February 19, 1980 and was still in the soap 28 years later. He was initially offered a three-month contract as farmer Jack Sugden.
The character was seen returning to the village after previously being played by Andrew Burt. Devoted family man and farmer Jack Sugden married three times and had five children. Emmerdale series producer Anita Turner said: "This is a devastating loss and we are all deeply saddened. Clive will be greatly missed by everyone who has worked with him on Emmerdale during the past 28 years. He was a hugely popular and well-respected member of cast and a terrific actor. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
The death of a soap star is always sad because it feels so personal. We spend years watching these actors create a persona that feels like an extended member of the family. Some of Jack Sugden's most memorable moments in Emmerdale include:
- First arrived - 19 February 1980. Jack was a fixture in the village for more than 30 years and went from being the black sheep of the family to the person who keeps the Sugdens functioning. Jack's the eldest son of Annie and Jacob and is the father of Jackie (deceased), Robert, Victoria and the adoptive father of Andy.
- Love life - Jack started out as a ladies' man. His childhood sweetheart had been Pat Harkin whom he married in October 1982 but their marriage hit a rocky patch and he had an affair with Hotten Market manager Karen Moore at the end of 1984. Pat uncovered the secret and issued an ultimatum and the pair stayed together to have a son, Robert, in 1986. Tragedy struck later that year when Pat was killed in a car crash. Jack was on his own for the next three years, but had brief affairs with Marian Wilks and school teacher Barbara. He met Sarah Connolly in 1988. They wed after the birth of their child Victoria in 1994. Jack still couldn’t keep his trousers on and had a short affair in 1998 with his brother's stepdaughter Rachel. Jack is married to pub landlady Diane.
- Most Memorable moment - When Jack was accidentally shot by Andy.
Please leave any tributes to Clive Hornby, who played Jack Sugden, here by selecing 'add a comment'. In the light of this sad news, I will launch the new Friday fun feature next week.
Official Sites
Coronation Street
Emmerdale
EastEnders
Hollyoaks
That's it for now. Join me on Monday for a full preview of all the week's action in the soaps. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.
Ms Bubbles
MSN's Eye On Soaps
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July 02
Hello and welcome to Wednesday's edition of A Slice Of Soap.
Hot on the heels of Mickey and Keith Miller, EastEnders' Yolande Trueman is also facing the axe. Angela Wynter, the actress that plays her, is reportedly disappointed by the decision to write her out of the show. She says producers told her that after five years in Walford, they had simply run out of storylines for her. I am so not surprised.
 The truth is that Yolande is just the latest in a long line of really badly-written EastEnders characters. The only reason she's lasted so long is because Rudolph Walker is so good as Patrick Trueman - and Yolande's married to him. So they just let her drift along with not very much to do or, if they gave her anything to do, it was rubbish (remember when Charlie Slater's humbugs got attached to Yolande's bum? Yawn). Yolande could drain the life from a party after it's had the life drained from it. I can understand why the writers couldn't be bothered to write for her anymore because Yolande fits into the same category as the Millers...deadwood. That's all she is and it's time for her to go. I'm so glad that we won't have to listen to her grating accent much longer.
Yolande first arrived in the Square in 2003, following a holiday romance with Patrick Trueman - the couple subsequently wed. Arguably her most memorably storyline came when she discovered her husband had been cheating on her with Pat Evans (shudder), although she subsequently forgave him.
When I read that Angela believes her character has become a 'part of the fabric of EastEnders', and has struck a chord with viewers because she is believable, I had to laugh. She'll barely be remembered in a year's time - 'member I told you.
On a related note, James Sutton is calling it a day on Hollyoaks. The actor, who plays John Paul McQueen, is moving on to other projects. His last scenes will air in September. He'll definitely be missed. So who's next for the soap revolving door? Watch this space...
Official Sites
Coronation Street
Emmerdale
EastEnders
Hollyoaks
That's it for now. Join me on Friday for more soap news and gossip. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.
Ms Bubbles
MSN's Eye On Soaps
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June 29
Hello and welcome to another edition of A Slice Of Soap. If, like me, you've been mourning Gus Watch, you'll know that I've been trying to come up with a replacement. I've finally decided what the new 'Friday Fun' feature will be. Join me this Friday and you'll see what it is. But there's only one Gus Watch... Let's find out what's going on in soap-land this week.
EastEnders w/e July 4
 Why is it that American child actors are so much better than British ones? The little girl that plays the obnoxious Bernadette at Abi's party set my teeth on edge - she needs more acting lessons. Back to the action and Max's return seems to have ushered in some more comebacks. Shirley looks forward to Peggy's return as she knows it will mean a bonus. Bradley is back with Stacey but she doesn't seem totally sure. Is she happy?
Bianca and the kids seem to have a mystery benefactor. Mickey decides to leave the Square - will Keith join him? We all know the answer to that one... Peggy walks in on Shirley and Vinnie (still not convinced about Bobby Davro yet). Sean 'Shout!' Slater is back but Stacey is worried about what he's done as he's covered in blood. Max decides to take back what's his when he moves back into the house, under the same roof as Tanya and the kids. Tanya is starting to worry – her relationship with Jack is moving too fast. Unfortunately, it's not the end of the Mitchell Sisters yet as Ronnie gets a shock when she calls round to see Jack and learns the truth...
Also on EastEnders this week:
Max is depressed Jack has taken his place
Sean Slater is on the war path
Little Mo may have a new lodger
Emmerdale w/e July 4
The rumour mill has gone into overdrive about which soap stars will feature in the next Dancing On Ice. One of the names being touted is Emmerdale's Roxanne Pallett - she is leaving the show after all. Other names being mentioned? EastEnders' Joe Swash (the departing Mickey Miller) and Corrie's Matthew Crompton (the boring bookie). We shall see...This week in Emmerdale, more baby swap nonsense. At the baby signing class, the instructor refers to Mel and Greg as Arthur's parents and Mel fails to correct him – happily going along with the gaffe. But Greg is furious. Marlon prepares to contact Phil at the Malt to take him up on his job offer. Doug takes drastic measures to stir Laurel's maternal feelings towards her son.
Jamie is still annoyed with Louise for upsetting Viv and urges her to apologise. Chas tells Katie that she'll be in no fit state to carry out her big plans to take the baby from Gray after giving birth. Katie realises that she's right so what does the sneaky surrogate have up her sleeve? Lexi asks Donald for another chance and eventually he agrees, but only on a trial basis. Back at the office, Lexi shows how hard she's been working on the RSVP list for the event. Later she cattily remarks to Carl how much Donald's blowing on the day but Carl tells her to mind her own business.
Also on Emmerdale this week:
Donald suggests a round of golf to Rodney and Carl
Bob and Viv call the family around for lunch
Gennie worries that she'll never be accepted as a Dingle
Coronation Street w/e July 4
So Liam Connor is going to be killed off? You'd have to be living  on Mars not to know that by now. The only question is who's going to do it? Well it's obviously going to be somebody expendable so my money's Carla's Tony (yawn) or boring bookie Dan (double yawn)...we shall see. On to the action and there'll be a new barmaid in the Rovers to look at. Vernon is excited about going to view the bar with Liz, but she's not very enthusiastic. In the meantime, Michelle is a barmaid down and, ironically, offers the job to Becky. Yikes! Sally and Claire continue their silly feud (yawn). Carla and Tony discuss putting the two businesses under one roof and agree that they need more floor space. He's got his eye on removing one or two obstacles – namely Rita and Norris and also, Kevin. Rita considers Tony's offer - much to the dismay of Norris.
Claire and Ashley pack their bags (if only it was for good!). But with number 13 still not in a fit state to live in, where will they go? Eileen gains one new house guest but loses two others when an excited Sean and Marcus move in together. Becky takes great delight in telling everyone that she's back with Jason but Roy disapproves and a massive row ensues; they end up saying some very hurtful things to each other.
Also on Coronation Street this week:
Michelle is feeling embarrassed about her attack on Leanne
Tony has a go at Sean when he spots him skiving
Matters come to a head between Liz and Vernon
Hollyoaks w/e July 4
Did you cry? Did you? I don't need to explain any further - you all know what I'm referring to. Did the tears roll down? Wasn't it a really sad moment? And it's not quite over because Max lies dead in O.B.'s arms. Steph and Tom struggle to come to terms with what's just happened. Somebody's got to go to the wedding reception at The Dog and tell the guests the bad news; Steph asks O.B. to do it...Max's death prompts John Paul to attempt a reconciliation with his mother. Niall saves Tina from being mugged by a desperate Fletch. He's inconsolable at having killed Max and at Steph's cutting rejection of him. A grateful Tina tells him about her baby plans, but he snaps and attacks her.
Tony is struggling to come to terms with Max's death, leaving Jacqui unsure how to act around him. Steph, totally distraught and clearly in shock, refuses to take off her wedding dress or leave the flat. O.B. tries to comfort her but he is also devastated. An excited Kieron and John Paul pack their bags to leave Hollyoaks, but they're stopped in their tracks when they get the news about Tina. Tina is still in a coma following the premature delivery of her baby and in her absence Jacqui and Tony assume the child to be theirs. Nige finds Sasha outside the Dog and approaches her with some heroin. Tina and Dom struggle to cope with heartrending news.
Also on Hollyoaks this week:
Justin is looking forward to his new job as a repossession bailiff
Fletch escapes the village
Kris and Elliot are tired of living in squalor
Official Sites
Coronation Street
Emmerdale
EastEnders
Hollyoaks
That's it for now. Join me on Wednesday for more soap news and gossip. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.
Ms Bubbles
MSN's Eye On Soaps
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June 27
Hello and welcome to today's edition of A Slice of Soap. It's a sad day for fans of Hollywoodoaks (as I've dubbed the soap - cos it's the one with all the beautiful people). Actor Matt Littler, who played Max Cunningham, is leaving after 11 years. Max lost his father Gordon and stepmother Helen in a car crash while in his early twenties, and - along with help from best friend OB (played by Darren Jeffries) - was forced to raise their son Tom, alone.
 The surrogate dads soon became two of the show's most popular characters, and when they announced their departure, the producers were keen to give them both a great finale. In February, OB left the fictional borough of Hollyoaks in Chester to be with his screen-girlfriend Summer, who had just landed the part of Maria in The Sound of Music in London (confusingly in real life as well as in soap land), and now it's Max's turn to leave.
Speculation about the manner of his departure has been rife over the last month or so and leaks to various publications and forums hasn't exactly made it difficult to guess Max's fate.
I don't think I'm sharing any state secrets here when I say that it's not going to be a happy ending, despite a seemingly happy occasion. Matt Littler said: "Max and Steph are going to get married and OB is going to be the best man. I think that's the highest point of happiness in Max's life. After the wedding he nips off to the flat to grab a wedding present for Steph and on the way back sees Tom playing in the middle of the road. At the same time Niall is revving his car so Max starts to run towards Tom to get him out the way. As Max sets off, so does Niall, not realising that he's driving towards Tom at 70 mph. Max manages to push Tom out the way, but Max is not so lucky." This dramatic scene is bound to shock viewers, and Matt reveals: "There's no chance of a comeback. I think it's important to end the story properly."
Is it just me? Am I the only person wishing that soaps wouldn't play this 'leaking spoilers' game? Imagine how much more powerful Max's departure would be if the viewer had absolutely no idea what was going to happen? Take the imminent departure of Corrie hunk Liam Connor. Actor Rob James-Collier is on his way but instead of wondering what's going to happen to his character, we're left to wonder who's going to do the dirty deed because the big secret's been leaked. And the treatment isn't restricted to humans - even dogs get it. You'd have to be living on Mars not to know that Wellard's gonna shuffle off this mortal coil soon. What am I saying? Martian's probably know too....
Official Sites
Coronation Street
Emmerdale
EastEnders
Hollyoaks
That's it for now. Join me on Monday for a full preview of all the week's action in the soaps. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.
Ms Bubbles
MSN's Eye On Soaps
Don't miss a trick - Add MSN Reality TV Agent to your IM contacts
June 25
Hello and welcome to A Slice Of Soap. News that may come as a bit of a surprise is that Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett is to quit the rural soap later this year.
 The actress, who plays battered wife Jo Sugden, is understood to be leaving in about six months. Emmerdale bosses said they could not confirm the move but series producer Anita Turner said: "Roxanne has given a fantastic performance and it will be an eventful six months for Jo." Roxanne joined Emmerdale in 2005 as fiery biker Jo Stiles - back then she was all sexy bombshell type. She was definitely brought into Emmerdale to stir things up.
As if living up to that image, she got into a love triangle with Andy and Katie Sugden (catfight!). Jo and Andy eventually got married while he was serving a prison sentence for a fire that killed his stepmother Sarah Sugden. Her current storyline involves her being the victim of domestic violence at the hands of her troubled husband. Apparently, she's been wanting to leave for some time now, but was persuaded by Emmerdale producers to stay. Well now she's finally going and she'll get a huge exit.
Roxanne Pallett becomes the latest soap star to leave looking for opportunities on the West End stage and beyond. Will she make it elsewhere? Or will we see her turn up in The Bill?
Official Sites
Coronation Street
Emmerdale
EastEnders
Hollyoaks
That's it for now. Join me on Friday for more soap news and gossip. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.
Ms Bubbles
MSN's Eye On Soaps
Don't miss a trick - Add MSN Reality TV Agent to your IM contacts
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