BEST OF THE SOAPS

Dec 24 2006 Steve Hendry

STEVE HENDRY takes a look at all the dramas and bust-ups in store over the festive season

* EASTENDERS *

It's a bleak midwinter in Walford as EastEnders' traditional seasonal shocker is the demise of old misery guts Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard).

The Walford battle-axe spends the last hour of her life doing what she enjoys most - taking a bite out of her hated former daughter-in-law Sonia (Natalie Cassidy). But when she walks out of the house after another blazing row she collapses and dies in the street. But why is Sonia looking so guilty? And what did her daughter Rebecca (Jade Sharif) see?

All is not as it seems and when Pauline makes her final journey to the grave, with all of Walford out to pay respects, it's no great surprise when the police turn up suspecting foul play.

Chaos follows but furious nephew Ian (Adam Woodyatt) is quick to slap down the mourners for gossiping while he's trying to give his favourite aunt a good send-off.

Meanwhile, Kevin's (Phil Daniels) world is rocked by the arrival of an unwelcome guest, his mother Shirley (Linda Henry).

Denise (Diane Parish) is no less horrified when she's informed of her appearance while Kevin's daughter Carly (Kellie Shirley) formulates a plan to get close to the newcomer after realising her true identity.

Plus, Max (Jake Wood) lies to Tanya (Jo Joyner) as his affair with Stacey (Lacey Turner) continues.

* CORONATION STREET *

There's little comfort and joy in Weatherfield this Christmas and in the Platt household, it's not just the turkey which is getting stuffed. Teenage tyke David (Jack P. Shepherd) doesn't care what time of year it is as he plays one of his meanest tricks yet on long-suffering mum Gail (Helen Worth).

After he and pal Maria (Samia Smith) find grandma Ivy's diary, David learns his mum thought about having an abortion when pregnant. Seizing his chance to make her life a misery, he wraps it up as a present, gives it to her during dinner... and reads aloud to the stunned table.

Meanwhile, Frankie (Debra Stephenson) decides to leave Weatherfield without Jamie (Rupert Hill) who then gets a phone call from his missing dad Danny (Bradley Walsh).

Violet (Jenny Platt) complains of a pain in her shoulder, which she puts down to sleeping awkwardly.

But when she collapses, it's clear her condition is something serious.

The barmaid is rushed to hospital, where it's revealed she's suffered an ectopic pregnancy. Following an operation, Violet must face up to the news that she may never be able to have children.

* EMMERDALE *

His Christmas Day wedding to Rosemary (Linda Thorsen) was supposed to be one of the happiest of Tom King's (Ken Farrington) life - but it proves to be his last as the businessman meets his maker.

But who gave him a helping hand on his way?

Tom was a man with enemies and there are no fewer than 10 villagers who had every reason to see him buried six feet under.

Father and son Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and Jamie Hope (Alex Carter blamed Tom for the death of Dawn. Chastity Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) blames him for the break up of her relationship with his son Carl (Tom Lister) - who had everything to gain from his father's death.

Elsewhere, Paddy's (Dominic Brunt) engagement party ends badly after Toni (Kerry Stacey) learns he never meant to propose.

And Pollard (Chris Chittell) gets a shock when DNA results confirm David (Matthew Wolfenden) really is his son.

* RIVER CITY *

It's time to face the music for Marty (Daniel Schutzmann). The philandering husband asks Gerry (John Paul McGilvray) to accompany him to pay now ex-girlfriend Iona (Claire Knight) a visit.

Terrified she is about to spill the beans to wife Ruth (Morag Calder), Marty wonders whether it might be best to tell his pregnant wife what he's been up to behind her back.

Terminally ill George Henderson (John Murtagh) has an emotional surprise for Shirley (Barbara Rafferty) as he prepares to create a memorable and emotional beginning to 2007 for all his friends and family.

When Hogmanay fireworks explode over Shieldinch, romance is in air as Alanna (Jade Lezar) and Liam (Patrick Mulvey) share a midnight kiss which seems to be more than just a New Year smooch.

And while love is all around, pregnant Jo (Allison McKenzie) brings in the New Year in far more dramatic circumstances than she could ever have imagined.

* BEST OF THE REST *

In Hollyoaks, Max Cunningham (Matt Littler) has finally realised his wife Clare (Gemma Bissix ) really is evil and what's more she looks like she's out to kill him and kid brother Tom (Ellis Hollins). Max has a plan to escape his scheming missus but before he can put it into operation, she claims Tom is drowning in a nearby lake. Max jumps in without thinking but he can't find his brother, the water is freezing... and he has a weak heart.

In Neighbours, Dr Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) warns mum-to-be Sky (Stephanie McIntosh) she is putting her baby's life at risk if she continues to keep her secret. Sky finally tells Dylan (Damien Brodie) he's not the father of the baby. He soon learns of his brother's betrayal and disappears with him, vowing to make him pay.

And in Home And Away, Tasha's (Isabel Lucas) struggle with motherhood and caring for baby Ella reaches a heart-breaking climax.