CORONATION STREET
She’s BAAAAAACK! Yes, it’s the return of Bethany, who wastes no time getting her feet under Daniel’s duvet again. But what will Daisy find when she visits Daniel to try to patch things up with a New Year’s kiss? Please, not the revival of Sinead’s dressing gown.
It’s clear Daniel has moved on, and Daisy is humiliated at realising he’s turned to his old flame. Well, less a flame than a fireball. Still, better that than Daisy the emotional arsonist.
Next stop, Sarah’s flat, where Sarah is thrilled to see her daughter. Er, hang on. Bethany got down and dirty with Daniel before calling on her mum? Some things never change.
Then it’s on to No 8, where a delighted Gail suggests they celebrate with a family lunch at Speed Daal. Their smiles don’t last long as Jenny stuns Gail, David and Sarah by telling them that Daniel slept with Bethany.
L-R: Coronation Street’s Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), Daisy Midgley (Charlotte Jordan) and Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon)
Bethany might not be Daisy’s only problem, when Jenny vetoes her special-offer ideas to boost custom at the pub. When Bethany sneeringly comments about how empty the place is, Daisy defiantly makes a sign offering a free drink with every hotpot purchased.
Come on, how many hotpots did you see served the whole of last year? Half a dozen, tops? Ordered, yes, but served, no. Sounds like a huge con to me.
There’s another familiar face this New Year when Damon turns up again, keeping a beady eye on Sarah and Adam from afar. Next thing you know, Adam’s being followed and finds himself tied up in the back of a van. Oh, not again. The show really has been overdosing on Emmerdale.
And why bring Damon back? Strolling into the Bistro, he asks Leanne and Nick for the money he gave Harvey to invest in the place. This isn’t just déjà vu; it’s 2023 all over again.
His return is at least good news for Ed, who is offered a job renovating a bar. Maybe, in doing the work, he’ll discover Aggie’s remains, because either she’s dead or she’s on the longest shift in NHS history.
EASTENDERS
Moving as the Whitney/Zack/Peach storyline was, it would be hard to take months more of Whitney being pregnant. Yet that’s on the cards when she tells Zack she’s expecting again.
Given that Shona McGarty is leaving, rest assured we’ll be spared the full term. Surely the poor woman won’t have to endure the loss of another child? Maybe she’ll disappear in the proverbial black cab, wistfully looking out of the back window, deciding that Walford really is no place to bring up a child (she’s right there). Or is something more dramatic planned, like popping her clogs?
Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, tells Zack that she’s expecting another baby
How on Earth did she manage to get pregnant again anyway, when she was so keen not to have another baby? Walford’s family planning clinic has a lot to answer for.
Maybe if Whitney had spent less time on her nails and more on reading the clinic’s pamphlets, she wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.
Cindy continues to inveigle herself into George’s life, much to the consternation of Elaine, and on top of that, George’s parents, Gloria and Eddie, arrive. Where will they sleep? Isn’t it high time the Vic built an extension for the many newcomers who keep turning up?
It’s a happy new year at the Vic!
This year’s been a big success for EastEnders’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw, who’s seen the show rack up awards again. And it wasn’t just Corpsegate, which ran from February to Christmas Day, that held us spellbound.
‘I’m also incredibly proud of Lola’s story,’ says Chris. ‘Plus there was Whitney and Zack saying goodbye to Peach, the arrival of the Knights, and Cindy and Ian’s epic return.’
EMMERDALE
How long will Belle and Tom’s joy last?
The young women of Emmerdale really don’t have much luck with men. Gabby discovered fiancé Nicky was gay, and I’m not holding out much hope for Belle and Tom, either.
There’s just something about Tom that doesn’t add up; he seems too good to be true (by Emmerdale standards, anyway; but then anyone who can string a sentence together is good by Emmerdale standards).
Belle (left) is surprised to find out that fiancé Tom has already announced their engagement online
When Mandy congratulates Belle on her engagement, Belle is surprised to hear that Tom has already announced it online. That’s not just stealing the bride’s thunder but the whole damned storm.
What’s his big secret? He’s bound to have one, because heaven forbid that Belle should be allowed to smile for longer than five minutes at a time.
Emmerdale is still top-heavy with stories involving the youngsters, which puts in the shade what has always been the mainstay of the show – older actors and their vast experience that puts meat on the bones of storylines.
Now there’s another one when teens Cathy, Angelica and Heath go for a joyride in Wendy’s car. There aren’t enough revs in the motoring world to make this lot interesting.
