Soap Opera: Hollyoaks

Character Name: Stephen Beard

Actor Name: Archie Carpenter

Archie Carpenter is a laddish, girl loving, cheeky university student who currently lives in Hollyoaks.

Archie first appeared in Hollyoaks in 2008 where he was seen kissing Sarah Barnes in the S U Bar. He was then seen by Zoe who pulled him away and exclaimed that Archie was her brother.
She was indeed shocked when Archie announced that he would be staying as he would be attending the same college as her and he swiftly moved into her shared housing, along with Kris and Elliot and began setting his sights on the Hollyoaks ladies! Although actor, Stephen Beard, who plays Archie, is very well known for his role in the soap, he is also known from starring in an MTV documentary named ‘Living on the Edge’ – a docu-soap about wealthy children living in Cheshire. The show was a hit, gaining excessive attention from young teenage audiences, and the cameras even followed Stephen to the Hollyoaks’ studio where he had his audition and was told he’d landed the part.

Since Season Two ended, there has been no talk of a third season of Living on the Edge, but it seems Stephen is quite content on concentrating on his first acting role in Hollyoaks.
20 year old Stephen grew up in Manchester and attended both a Grammar All Boys school and a mixed sex Boarding School in his youth. Stephen claims he has wanted to be an actor since age 14 after he took part in a school production. Beard described his character as ‘a wild one’ and that characteristic surely surfaced recently when his character Archie found £100,000 in the flat he is renting with Kris, Zak and Elliot!

Hollyoaks extended Stephen Beard’s contract recently, so it looks like soap show fans of Hollyoaks can look forward to more comical story lines from Archie!

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Soap Opera: Emmerdale
Character’s Name: Nicola De Souza
UK Soap Actor’s Name: Nicola Wheeler

Loudmouth Nicola first arrived in the small soap village of Emmerdale in January 2001 where she wandered into the Woolpack looking for half-sister Bernice.
Upon her arriving, Nicola befriended village sweetheart Emily and talked her Dad into letting her stay with him. Within months, Nicola was engaged to sexy chef Carlos Diaz who unbeknown to her, was having an affair with her sister Bernice! All was revealed in true soap style on the wedding day, and it was then that Nicola’s ‘nasty’ streak came to a head, and since, Nicola has seduced many Emmerdale residents, attempted to fleece her brother’s partner, and also attempted to murder millionaire ex husband, Donald.

Actress Nicola Wheeler talked of the scenes leading up to Donald’s attempted murder and explained Nicola’s characteristics to a tee!
“Nicola has every intention of killing Donald – but that will probably save his life. She’s useless!” Nicola spoke of her character’s complacent but evil ways. As much as her character has encountered a hoard of drama, actress who players Nicola De Souza, Nicola Wheeler has lead a very simple life! 35 year old Nicola started her acting career some years ago and appeared in rival soap Coronation Street where she played Melanie Tindal and she also appeared in her local pantomime after Emmerdale fame as, ironically, the wicked witch.

Nicola Wheeler is known for playing the nasty and sneaky roles and was even voted ‘Best Bitch’ in the 2006 British Soap Awards. Nicola De Souza has recently given birth on Emmerdale, and viewers have seen a slightly more reserved and motherly Nicola since. Will this be the end of Nicola’s nasty ways?

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Soap: Eastenders

Character Name: Tania Branning

Actor Name: Jo Joyner

Eastenders UK soap character Tania Branning has had a rocky ride all thanks to her dysfunctional but loveable family since arriving in Albert Square.

During the first year, Tania caught her husband Max having an affair with his son’s fiancé, got together with nutty hard man Shaun who then helped her bury him alive for revenge, helped Max back out of his shallow grave, avoided him at all costs and then survived a few months in prison after taking the blame for her daughter’s attempted murder crime. Actress Jo Joyner is the first to admit she has found playing Tania exceptionally challenging.

Joy Joyner was best known (before appearing in Eastenders) as Beth from sexy nurse drama ‘No Angels’. Beth was known for her ruthless way with men, and slept her way through the hospital to try and find Mr Right, but 31 year old Jo was relieved to get into a more motherly role in the shape of married mum of 2 Tania Branning.

“I haven’t played a mum before, and it’s really strange” she said “Its great to play a much more mature role and character.” Tania has become a much loved part of the Eastenders crew and fans love her for her motherly, kind and strong ways, and Jo won over the press after she performed in heart breaking scenes following Tania and husband Max’s break up. Currently, Tania Branning and husband Max are back together and the pair and their two children Abi and Lauren are one big happy family.

Fans aren’t so keen on flirty Max Branning but actress Jo Joyner has said she believes the couple are made for each other. 31 year old Jo hopes to be on Eastenders for the long haul, so fans don’t have to worry about waving goodbye to the beloved Tania Branning yet!

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As Minty discovers the truth in Eastenders, so does Ste in Hollyoaks, and viewers will find themselves sitting on the edges of their comfy sofas when these juicy episodes rear their dramatic heads next week.

Over the last few months, we have all seen slimy couple Abi and Daniel planning to prove struggling single Dad Ste is an unfit father so they can steal baby Lucas for adoption to another couple. Over the last month, the couple have successfully befriended Ste and he is now living under their roof, and been unknowingly drugged daily so he becomes less and less able as a father.

In the beginning of the week, a softening Abi kissed Ste and after boyfriend Daniel found out, the atmosphere and evilness has been stepped up a notch. Next week, viewers will see Ste finding out the truth about his housemates. After leaving baby Lucas with the pair, he bumps into Natty who tells him the truth about them, and when he rushes home, Lucas, Abi and Daniel are gone. Ste rushes around the streets and finds them leaving Hollyoaks.

After a confrontation, Abi’s heart shines through and she hands over Lucas to his Dad and leaves Daniel fuming… but things get worse for evil Daniel as he is arrested minutes later for child abduction! Will Abi and Ste now make a go of it as a family, or was she just after Lucas after all?

Over on Albert Square in Eastenders, Minty has a confrontation with Phil after they are handcuffed together by Garry who is adamant for them to sort their differences. After much taunting, Phil snaps and tells Minty that Dawn actually chose him and only stayed with Garry because he turned her down. Will angry and torn Minty tell his best friend this news before he walks down the aisle?

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Tuesday’s Hollyoaks episode was aired on E4 at 7pm tonight and the episode was full of love triangles, sexy Spanish dancers and relationship breakdowns.

Viewers have been watching a troubled Gilly trying to win over zesty dancer Steph over the last few episode, but now she has started a relationship with sexy fellow dance partner Fernando, Gilly has been doing his best to show a completely unaware Steph what she’s missing. In tonight’s episode, Steph bumps into Gilly whilst she’s getting her dancing shoes repaired and Gilly tries yet another ‘knight in shining armour’ trick and tries to repair them himself, but finds it’s just too difficult. Steph looked almost sorry for him and dashes off to the dance studio.

Meanwhile, whilst Ste is reeling about his kiss with Abi, Abi cannot take the lies and tells boyfriend Daniel about their kiss. Daniel hits the roof and tells her that she has now tarnished the future for them, as well as the adoption of a baby and Abi looks distraught and upset.

Back over at the Hollyoaks’ local pub The Dog, Gilly shows off a pair of brand new ballet pumps he’s bought for Steph as Fernando sees and asks who they’re for. Gilly changes the subject and fails – after many lies – to put Fernando off Steph and ignoring his comments, Fernando goes off to find his damsel. As Gilly arrives to find Steph, shoes in hands, he finds Steph beaming whilst taking a beautiful pair of shoes from a grinning Fernando!

Hollyoaks soap fans are sure starting to feel for Gilly and there a multitude of people rooting for him to succeed and for Steph to fall for his laddish charms. Steph will soon start to catch wind of his feelings, but who will she choose?

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Soap: Coronation Street

Character Name: Jason Grimshaw

Actor Name: Ryan Thomas

UK soap star 25 year old Ryan Thomas is most famous for playing Jason Grimshaw in award winning soap opera Coronation Street. A complete ‘lad’ with nothing but girls on his mind, Jason Grimshaw has had his fair share of both comical and romantic story lines since he moved to Weatherfield in 2000. Since moving to a house in Coronation Street with his mother and now departed brother, Todd, Jason has slept with his brother’s girlfriend, cheated on barmaid girlfriend Violet with Sarah-Lou who he later left at the aisle, and had his marriage proposal declined by Becky Granger.

Now, 26 year old Jason Grimshaw is finally divorcing Sarah-Lou and has recently started a relationship with David’s ex, Tina! It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of a life for Jason Grimshaw, but Ryan Thomas has had a somewhat regular life in comparison to his loose-cannon soap character. Born in greater Manchester in 1984, Ryan Thomas embarked on an acting career in the late ‘90s and landed the part in Coronation Street swiftly, in 2000.

Although he didn’t attend acting school, Ryan attended the same secondary school as fellow Corrie actor Simon Gregson and Ryan currently has a child with girlfriend – also fellow Corrie actress – Tina O’Brien. Ryan’s character is currently in a new but budding relationship with Tina McIntyre and fans are left wondering if this will finally be ‘it’ for Jason.
“It’s nice to see them happy and playing off each other" Ryan says on Jason and Tina’s new-found romance "There’s hopefully more of them together. I think it’s quite serious. They’re really trying to make it work”. Although fans and actors alike are staying positive about this blossoming romance, it seems Tina’s ex David has other ideas and viewers can look forward to a dash of drama added to this, currently, perfect relationship in coming weeks.

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Soap: Eastenders

Character Name: Chelsea Fox

Actor Name: Tiana Benjamin

UK soap character Chelsea Fox first appeared in Eastenders’ Albert Square in May of 2006 when she started to date hard man Grant Mitchell after Jane Beale called off her affair with him. It was clear to all viewers that Chelsea was being used by Grant, and soon, Chelsea’s mother Denise and sister Libby arrived and Denise stopped Grant seeing Chelsea. Chelsea is known for her forward and overly confident ways and is never afraid to express her opinion or feelings, but shy 24 year old actress Tiana Benjamin who plays the pretty Eastenders regular says she was over the moon to be playing a character in Eastenders, even though the character is nothing like herself. “I’ve been a big fan of EastEnders since I was little and I was very excited to join the show” she said. “It’s one of those jobs that’s unlike any other!”.

Tiana grew up in Enfield, North London and attended the Anna Scher Theatre school in her teens and although a young actress of 21 when joining the show, Eastenders wasn’t her first role in a huge production. Tiana is also known for playing Angelina Johnson in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where she is seen going to the ball with one of the Weasley twins. Tiana was asked to appear in the following film but declined as she wanted to concentrate fully on Eastenders.

Tiana’s character Chelsea has had a fair few hiccups since arriving in Walford, but Chelsea’s smile recently appeared back on her face when father Lucas turned up after many years. Denise, Lucas, Chelsea and half sister Libby now live as a big happy family, but apparently the drama isn’t over yet for Chelsea. After a history of drug use and bed hopping, is Chelsea ready to hang up her past?

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Tonight was certainly a gripping episode of Emmerdale, as Lexi hit rock bottom and Carl tells her his feelings and she painfully learns the truth about her marriage.

Since Nicola gave birth to a baby girl last week, Nicola has noticed how scared Lexi is about holding the child and in the first half of tonight’s Emmerdale instalment, Nicola told Lexi that if she is desperate for a child, she should find someone that is willing to give her what she wants, as husband Carl certainly doesn’t want to.Later on, whilst Nicola was out of the room, a nurse handed t he baby to Lexi (presuming she was the mother) and distraught Lexi struggled to keep calm. Viewers soon saw Lexi look deep into the newborn’s eyes and soon, she began wandering the post-natal ward with the baby in her arms.

In a heart breaking scene, Lexi then wandered onto a ward of happy couples and their newborn babies and completely awash with upset, disappeared out of the ward exit with the baby.
As Nicola and Jimmy returned to find baby girl Angelica missing, Scarlett entered and told the couple that she had just seen Lexi with the baby and knowing the state she is in, the pair panicked and began searching the hospital and minutes later they found her – on the hospital roof!

Emmerdale then kept viewers waiting for the second instalment which aired 30 minutes later, full of answers, drama and stomach turning scenes. With Nicola, Jimmy and now Carl on the roof trying to coax Lexi to pass over Angelica, Lexi began demanding to know why Carl didn’t want to have children. He stuttered and stammered, but after brother Jimmy advised Carl to tell the truth, Lexi wobbled and almost slipped with the baby in her arms when Carl admitted he doesn’t love her and never has.

Soap fans have been suspecting of Carl’s feelings towards Lexi for months, and it seems Emmerdale confirmed it for the nation tonight. How will Lexi ever get over this devastating news – find out this summer on Emmerdale.

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Soap: Eastenders
Character Name: Ronnie Mitchell
Actor Name: Samantha Womack (néé Janus)

Ronnie Mitchell carries the world on her shoulders – past relationships, her father’s mistakes, her childhood, and the soul destroying event of giving her child away.
Ronnie, although a friendly and passionate person is an ultimate ice queen and has developed distrusting and depressive characteristics from a history of difficult times.
Ronnie Mitchell first appeared on UK soap Eastenders’ Albert Square in 2007 with sister Roxy with the intentions of attending the wedding of cousin Phil and his fiancé Stella, but soon after, the sisters decide to stay in Walford and help their Auntie Peggy and Phil look after the pub, the Queen Vic. Ronnie soon fell into a relationship with business partner Jack, who owns half of Albert Square’s night club R&R and although the pair have been on/off for years, Ronnie is currently single.

Although boasting an impressive list of acting jobs and achievements, 36 year old actress Samantha Womack who plays Ronnie was delighted to land the part in Eastenders, especially with Rita Simons (Roxy). “Roxy’s the bold, brassy type, who knows exactly what she wants” Samantha said, when asked to describe the sisters “Ronnie’s a little less flamboyant, darker, a bit more of a control freak! I don’t think Ronnie’s as likeable. She’s quite bossy”.

Samantha Womack was born in Brighton, England to the niece of football legend George Best, and to a father that left home when she was 3 years old. Samantha admits she was quite the teen tearaway at 15, but soon found solace in acting when she joined the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Currently, Samantha’s character Ronnie is rekindling her relationship with high school boyfriend (and father to Danielle who was killed months ago) Joel, but it is said that Ronnie’s father Archie is planning to destroy the coupling.

It certainly seems Samantha has her work cut out for even more drama set to shake the square this year on Eastenders!

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Emmerdale newbie Faye and her son Ryan are wanted out of the village by Faye’s ex husband’s new love Natasha, and next week will show that all of Natasha’s sneaky efforts have been for nothing. On top of that, Lexi struggles when visiting Nicola and Carl causes more grief in his marriage.

Last week, viewers saw a fuming Natasha asking her husband Mark to get rid of his ex wife and son, whatever it takes. Natasha suggested that Mark contacted a business friend of his in Dubai in order to set up a job over there for his son, Ryan. That way, Ryan and mother Faye would leave Emmerdale and leave Natasha and Mark alone. Although reluctant, Mark followed his wife’s wishes and offered Ryan a job abroad. Next week, Emmerdale fans will see Faye approach Natasha and Mark in the Woolpack and ask them their motives behind offering her son the job.
Natasha tells Faye that the job abroad could be a fantastic new start for the pair but Faye sees right through her and tells her that she and Ryan aren’t going anywhere. Natasha is growing more and more desperate, but will she ever succeed in ridding of the pair from Emmerdale?

Over at the local hospital, Nicola and her baby are doing well, and Lexi drops by to visit. As Nicola coos over her baby, Lexi is clearly struggling, and when Carl turns up and starts mollycoddling the baby, Lexi screams at him that she wants a baby, but Carl ignores her and walks out. How long can Carl keep ignoring his marriage issues and how far will Lexi go in order to get a child?

Drama reaches an ultimate high in Emmerdale this summer, and fans will not want to miss a second of the soap action.

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