Manpreet FIGHTS BACK against serial killer sister Meena; plus Coronation Street & EastEnders news

Letitia Dean looks unrecognisable in throwback clip

EastEnders star Letitia Dean looked unrecognisable as her alter-ego Sharon Watts in throwback clip from the BBC soap.

The actress, 54, has played the gym owner on the show since 1985.

At 18-years-old, Letitia made her first appearance on the hit programme 36 years ago.

In the clip, from spin-off show Secrets from the Square, Letitia is seen giggling away with Susan Tully, who played Michelle Fowler.

Sharon and Michelle were giggling about how unsuccessful Ian Beale and Kelvin Carpenter were with the ladies.

Read more here.

Helen Flanagan and Brooke Vincent ‘would love’ a Coronation Street return

In an exclusive chat with Fabulous magazine (which hits newstands tomorrow), the soap veteran hinted that two beloved characters “would love” to return to the show.

Sally’s on-screen daughters Helen Flanagan and Brooke Vincent – who both starred in the show for over 10 years – are currently concentrating on raising their young children.

However, that hasn’t stopped them from keeping in touch with their on-screen mum.

Sally said: “I get messages all the time from Brooke and Helen.

“It’s so lovely watching them with their children. I just adore them both and I’m super-proud of them because they’re wonderful mums.

“They’re really happy and that’s all I wished for them.”

What’s more, Sally says Helen and Brooke may not have permanently left the show.

How to get the latest gossip from Emmerdale Farm

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Why is Danny Dyer leaving Eastenders?

The 44-year-old actor, who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, has decided to leave the East End for good, to pursue other opportunities.

His, departure is set to leave the popular soap with huge shoes to fill.

It’s also not the first time the star has worked on other projects outside of the BBC drama, despite Danny being tied to a gruelling soap schedule.

In 2019 he took a six-week break to appear in a series of plays paying tribute to his mentor Harold Pinter alongside Martin Freeman.

He also presents the Spotify podcast – Sorted With The Dyers, where he helps solve listeners’ problems, with Love Island star daughter Dani, who has also appeared on EastEnders with him.

The star has also hosted gameshow The Wall since 2019 – a move which took his BBC salary from £400,000 to a reported £1million.

Dancing on Ice returns THIS SUNDAY

Dancing On Ice will return to TV screens on Sunday, ITV has confirmed.

A new batch of celebrities will make their debut on the rink during the series launch on Sunday January 16 at 6.30pm.

This year the show features a star-studded line-up that includes Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, Love Island’s Liberty Poole and Happy Mondays dancer Bez.

Rugby star Ben Foden, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, pop star Rachel Stevens, professional dancer Brendan Cole and The Vamps’ Connor Ball will also compete.

The last series, which was won by Capital FM presenter Sonny Jay, took place amid the pandemic and saw a number of celebrities withdraw after being injured or testing positive.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse will replace John Barrowman on the judging panel this series, alongside Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Coronation Street’s Sally Metcalfe to leave in devastating Sophie twist 

CORONATION Street’s Sally Metcalfe is going to get shock news about her daughter Sophie tonight – and it could pave the way for actress Sally Dynevor’s exit from the soap.

Actress Sally is taking part in the new series of Dancing on Ice, meaning she could need a break from the soap.

In tonight’s episode Sally receives a shock phone call from Thailand.

She is told that daughter Sophie has been involved in an accident and has been rushed to hospital.

Could Sally rush to her daughter’s side? 

When will the next episode of EastEnders be aired?

Fear not, you don’t have long to wait until the next episode.

The soap will be catching up with a double feature tomorrow night – Tuesday, January 11 at 7.30pm.

The two episodes will air back to back, with the first marking the soap’s return to full length, half an hour long episodes after a year of shortened episodes due to pandemic-related filming restrictions.

The second part of the double feature will, however, only be around twenty minutes in length.

After that, the soap will then be back to normal, with new half an hour long episodes set to air on both Thursday, 13 January and Friday, 14 January.

The soap typically airs four nights a week, but it looks like bosses may be considering extending the show’s offerings to five nights a week in an attempt to “stop the slide” of falling viewer numbers.

Why is EastEnders not on tonight, January 10?

EastEnders is not on tonight, despite usually airing at 8pm on Monday nights.

This is due to a football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa airing tonight on BBC One instead, throwing the normal schedule for the soap into chaos.

The two teams are going head to head for the third round of the FA Cup.

If you don’t fancy the football, Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport will be airing at the same time on ITV and BBC Two will be showing the semi-final of game show Only Connect.

EastEnders statement on Danny Dyer departure

A spokesperson for the soap said of his departure: “Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year.

“Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for.

“However we won’t be saying goodbye just yet as there’s still quite some time – and plenty of explosive drama for Mick – to come before he departs Walford.”

‘Characters come and go’ says source amid Dyer shock exit

Danny’s surprise exit announcement makes him the latest big name to leave the soap in the past 12 months.

He’s following in the footsteps of Maisie Smith, Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood and Laila Smith who have all left to pursue new opportunities outside of Albert Square.

Like with Danny, the stars all have the door left open for them to return in the future.

A source told The Sun yesterday: “Characters come and go. They have to for storyline purposes because it creates more drama within the soap. It also gives actors the chance to focus on other projects before coming back fresh to play a key part once again.

“The timings of when characters leave and come back again is always a mix between when is best for the actor and the show itself. The door will always be open for Danny.”

Danny Dyer takes major pay cut (continued…)

A TV insider told The Sun: “When you’re an actor and you’ve played a character for nearly ten years, of course you’re going to want to go off and try new things. But you can’t go off and do two shows at once.

“The audience figures and high-profile job at EastEnders is great for them, but if you want time off to go away and do other stuff you can’t just up and leave with no notice.

“No drama gets filmed within six months, so that’s why many big names end up going on a break from the soap.

“How many times has Jessie Wallace, Shane Richie and Steve McFadden said they’re leaving, but have always come back.

“Sometimes it’s not a bad thing for the characters if the actor wants some time off, it means they’re rested and ready to return fresh with bigger storylines.”

Danny Dyer takes major pay cut to leave EastEnders for Sky show

But savvy Danny is set to earn millions regardless, by signing big money deals as he breaks free of his BBC contract.

The cockney actor’s first gig after leaving Albert Square will be to work on a new drama for Sky.

But with more free time on his hands outside of the busy soap filming schedule, Danny has the opportunity to work on multiple projects and multiply his income.

EastEnders exodus is ‘speculative nonsense’ says spokeswoman

The past year has seen the departures of Maisie Smith, who plays Tiffany Butcher, and Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale).

There are also fears Rose Ayling-Ellis, who plays Frankie Lewis, could quit after winning Strictly.

During 2021, EastEnders ratings reached a new low, with just 1.7m tuning in for an episode in July.

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “To say any cast member is now considering their future on the show due to another cast member leaving is nothing but speculative nonsense.

“Danny’s decision to leave the show is purely because he wants to try different roles.”

EastEnders cast fear Danny Dyer quitting will spark an exodus

THE EastEnders cast fear Danny Dyer quitting will spark an exodus from the soap.

They see the loss of such a big star as a sign its fortunes have hit rock bottom, particularly after a run of bad ratings. Danny, 44, is leaving the BBC1 show after playing pub landlord Mick Carter for nine years.

That could see the likes of Kellie Bright, who plays Mick’s wife Linda, and Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) follow him out.

An insider said: “The feeling among the EastEnders team is his departure is seen as a very bad omen because he’s such a key part of the cast.

“Mick is such an integral and well-liked character that his removal will only make the situation deteriorate. And they don’t want to hang around to see things go from bad to worse, particularly if their roles are linked to Danny’s part. But at this stage it’s not clear exactly who’d follow suit and go.”

The end is nigh for Meena (continued…)

Meena Jutla actress Paige teased: “Everyone is starting to suss her out. They’re not seeing the mask anymore. I always write in my notes: ‘the viper under the mask’.  I think they’re starting to see who she really is, and so it’s the beginning of the end.”

Paige also opened up about how much she loves playing the killer nurse.

“I love her, I think she’s hilarious,” she added. “She’s got so much charisma. She’s so strange! She’s just odd – everything about her. 

“The things that she says and the way that she says them. But I love that. She’s just weird! It’s so much fun to play such a weird character. 

“I think going to those dark places can be really fulfilling, but her slightly comedic edge is always fun.  I love her flamboyancy, and I love everything about her. I’ll miss everything to be honest.”

Emmerdale star Paige Sandhu hints the end is near for Meena

EMMERDALE star Paige Sandhu has teased the end is near for serial killer Meena Jutla in the ITV soap.

The actress has loved playing the evil murderer for the last two years but has now given her biggest hint yet that she is set to exit soon.

Viewers have watched Meena murder Leanna Cavanagh, Andrea Tate and Ben Tucker in her village reign of terror.

And this week she plans to kill her own sister Manpreet Sharma, and captive Vinny Dingle.

However it may be the end for Meena. 

EastEnders full length episodes to return from tomorrow

To catch up after tonight’s EastEnders was cancelled, the soap will air two episodes tomorrow night from 7.30pm.

Tomorrow night also marks the return of the soap’s 30 minute episodes – with the first episode being full length.

The second will remain at 20 minutes, but the three other episodes will will be at full length going forward.

EastEnders cancelled tonight as football throws soap schedule into chaos AGAIN

EASTENDERS has been cancelled tonight – with football throwing the soap schedule into chaos.

The BBC One soap usually airs an episode at 8pm on Monday nights but it will not air tonight.

Instead Manchester United’s match against Aston Villa will air on BBC One.

How to get the latest gossip from Emmerdale Farm

If all your other mates know what’s happening on the soaps and you’ve got FOMO, look no further as we’ve got you covered!

Doctor Who fans shocked about Mandip Gill’s soap past

FANS of cult classic Doctor Who may be surprised to learn that Mandip Gill, who plays Yaz, made her name as a soap star long before she battled the Daleks. 

Before her time-travelling Doctor Who days, 34, Mandip played a member of the legendary McQueen family in Channel 4’s hit show Hollyoaks. 

Her character, Phoebe McQueen – who appeared between 2012 and 2015 – was the adopted daughter of The Dog in Pond barmaid Jacqui McQueen. 

Reflecting on her past life in soapland, Mandip told the Two Shot Podcast: “I made amazing friends, I lived in Liverpool in my own flat. It was a really good job, having a laugh, because it was like being at university but we were getting paid for it, just having a really good time and they offered me a new contract and I was like, ‘I have to be brave now’”. 

Matt & Isabel’s return to Emmerdale (continued…)

A source said: “ITV have conducted a rigorous enquiry into the allegations made, with witness statements taken. Bosses accepted Matthew and Isabel’s explanation and agreed they can return to work.

“However, it has been made very clear that racism and bullying will not be tolerated by ITV.

“They have also offered the subject of their alleged remarks guidance about how to deal with the pair’s return.”

Soap stars joining Vera series 11

A clip dropped by ITV last week revealed that one of the much-anticipated upcoming episodes will be called Tyger Tyger.

The instalment will see DCI Stanhope try to solve the murder of a security guard during a robbery at a container port, only for the plot to thicken with the kidnap of the dead man’s son. 

Last month, several guest stars – including former casualty actress Jaye Griffiths, Corrie alum Bill Ward, and ex Line of Duty star Craig Parkinson – were announced to join the show. 

Soap stars joining Vera series 11

A clip dropped by ITV last week revealed that one of the much-anticipated upcoming episodes will be called Tyger Tyger.

The instalment will see DCI Stanhope try to solve the murder of a security guard during a robbery at a container port, only for the plot to thicken with the kidnap of the dead man’s son. 

Last month, several guest stars – including former casualty actress Jaye Griffiths, Corrie alum Bill Ward, and ex Line of Duty star Craig Parkinson – were announced to join the show. 

Emmerdale spoilers: Jai Sharma faces losing everything

Afraid of losing everything, the co-owner of The Hop makes a drastic decision in an upcoming Emmerdale episode.

Desperate, the character played by Chris Bisson makes an application to a loan company in a new Emmerdale episode set to air in January, 2022.

Jai is crushed to learn that his application is not accepted.

Could bankruptcy lead Jai to resort to more desperate measures?

Will Meena finally be exposed as the main culprit for The Hop disaster?