Former Coronation Street writer dies

Long-serving Coronation Street writer Brian Finch has died, according to Wigan Today. Brian served on Corrie's scriptwriting team from 1970-1989 and penned a total of 150 scripts. Brian was best-known for his adaptation of Goodnight Mr Tom, starring the late John Thaw but began his career writing for the TV Times during the 1960s and often reported about the biggest show of the time - Coronation Street.

Marienhof says goodbye to Susanne Steidle who has played Regina Zirkowski since 1996. After eleven years with the soap, Regina dies of cancer. Her final airdate is scheduled for August 21st. Former cast members Michael Jäger (Matthias Kruse, 1995-2005), Regina's former lover, Sebastian Fischer (Emanuel Zirkowski, 1996-2002) and Henriette Richter-Röhl (Elena Zirkowski, 2000-2003), Regina's children, return for her dramatic departure. Regina leaves behind her little son Bruno who will be raised by his biological father Sülo Özgentürk (Giovanni Arvaneh) and Regina's manipulative sister Constanze (Julia Dahmen).

A new cast photo has been released to coincide with the first episode of revamped Neighbours on July 23rd. The Parker family arrives in Erinsborough as Frazer rises from his wheelchair to walk down the aisle and marry Rosie. A bus crash leaves Ringo and Carmella trapped in the wreckage and a rescue is mounted before the bus explodes. Oliver's mother Rebecca arrives in town and immediately orders that Elle and Oliver end their relationship as Paul may be her son's father. Mickey goes missing as Ned declares his love for Janae.

Elsewhere a press release from the BBC:

Neighbours Night on BBC Three is a complete celebration of Australia’s favourite export; Neighbours. Voiced by self confessed uber fan David Walliams.

Featuring unrivalled backstage access, exclusive interviews and classic archive not seen for years, Neighbours Night will be feature the very best that Erinsborough has to offer.

Neighbours Revealed takes ‘behind the scenes’ to a new level, as their cameras go up close and personal with a whole raft of famous Ramsay Street residents, going to the very heart of the Neighbours sets like never before.

With five half hour documentaries each with their own flavour and theme, fans old and new need not adjust their sets as BBC Three’s Neighbours Night is sure to amuse and entertain from start to finish.

In ‘Everybody Needs Good Neighbours’ the story of Neighbours is told from the very beginning, how the series came to the UK, and looking at just why the series has become such a global hit.

‘The Talent of Ramsay Street’ recalls all the eye-catching and head turning totty who have graced Erinsborough over the years, and takes an exclusive Neighbours-eye view into unique acting classes held by the production to further their acting talent.

‘Neighbours Rule UK’ catches up with some familiar faces of the past such as Craig McLachlan and Anne Charleston have lived and worked in the UK, but for whom Neighbours is never far behind…

‘Here’s to You Mr Robinson’ joins the legendary Paul Robinson (aka Stefan Dennis) for a day in his marital life, joining him on set on the day of his fateful marriage to Lyn and wondering just why this loveable rogue is such a hit with the ladies.

And finally, ‘Life, Death and Neighbours’ recalls the biggest, the best, the sad and the shocking moments of over 20 years of Ramsay Street, that has seen more death, disaster and heartache than you have had hot barbies.

BBC Three’s Neighbours Night will be the ultimate celebration of life in Erinsborough, showing that there is so much more to Neighbours than sunshine and sheilas.

BBC 3

Saturday 14th July

8.30pm

Edited July 5, 200718 yr by JamesF

James, who is your favourite scriptwriter on EastEnders staff?

I love Sarah Phelps, Simon Ashdown, James Payne and Chris Reason. My favourite has to be Simon Ashdown

Edited July 8, 200718 yr by dannigold

I love Sarah Phelps, Simon Ashdown...

Those two, of course, but I was wondering about the more 'obscure' ones.

Edited July 8, 200718 yr by Sylph

Richard Zajdlic and Richard Davidson are both good EE writers, in my opinion

Richard Zajdlic and Richard Davidson are both good EE writers, in my opinion

Did they write the show in 2002? IMO, that was the year I really got into EE.

I found some uk spilers for EE

Summer Preview: EastEnders

Friday, July 13 2007, 11:02 BST

By Kris Green, Soaps Editor

I've been getting a lot of the same questions from my readers about certain characters in EastEnders – whether they're leaving, whether they're going and whether characters are coming back or not. So without further ado, here goes…

First up, Shirley's friend Heather (played by Cheryl Fergison). I'm told that she'll be around for a while yet and is now a semi-regular in the cast. The first time I saw her I wondered whether she'd work or not but I absolutely love her now. We'll see her cropping up every now and then on the Square and with Shirley. However, her next 'major' appearance will be during the Brighton episodes next month.

Next, Fin the Vet. I last mentioned him at the beginning of last month when it leaked onto the internet that Danny Alder would be the man portraying him. Well, he'll be on screen next week when Abi and Ben take 'Marge' and 'Marge Two' for their MOTs. It turns out that 'Marge Two' is, in fact, a boy who's impregnanted Marge. I blame Bradley (Charlie Clements).

Mitchell favourite Aunt Sal (Anna Karen) returns for wedding week – which, by the way, is UNMISSABLE – as her usual witty self. All I'm going to say is "Watch me Daddy…" Check back later in the week for an exclusive online interview with Sophie Thompson.

During the same week, Nina Wadia makes her first appearance as Post Office owner Zainab Masood. And it's not long before her daughter, Shabnam (Zahra Ahmadi), turns up to help her mother at work. Denise (Diane Parish), however, is completely unaware that Zainab is lining Shabnam up for the branch manager role…

Also during wedding week, Jay's (Jamie Borthwick) father, Jase (Stephen Lord), turns up out of the blue. We don't know much about him to start with but he's definitely one to keep an eye on. And for the thirty-somethings among you, he's naked on the Square in a couple of weeks. But which woman will he have is eye on first? Jane (Laurie Brett)? Honey (Emma Barton)? My money's on Pat (Pam St Clement).

Oh, and Jamie Borthwick is now being classed as a "regular" to the soap. From what I've read, that's good news for some.

Meanwhile, former Bad Girl Kika Mirylees returns to our screens next month as Garry Hobbs' (Ricky Groves) mum, Hazel. Again, she'll be there with Pat (Pam St Clement), newcomer Len Harker (Christopher Ellison), Garry, Minty (Cliff Parisi), Shirley (Linda Henry), Heather and Dawn (Kara Tointon) for the Brighton episodes.

And then onto the lovely Samantha Janus and Rita Simons, who joined recently as the Mitchell sister, Ronnie and Roxy. I can't wait for the pair (or should I say two pairs) to appear on screen. And within the first few days, they're already behind the bar at The Vic. I met them both last night, so check back next week for an exclusive interview with them.

Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) will also be popping back and forth onto the Square in the run up to daughter Stacey's (Lacey Turner) wedding to Bradley. And let's not forget Tanya Franks who plays Tanya Branning's heroin addict sister Rainie as well as Rory Jennings who plays tearaway teen, Craig Dixon.

Rainie definitely drags up a past which Tanya would rather forget, while Craig proves to be more that a chippy worker to the Beales when Lucy (Melissa Suffield) goes off the rails and falls for him.

And a roundup of those leaving: Bert Atkinson (Dave Hill) walks out of Walford on Tuesday, July 24 when he realises he’s not needed any more; and Li Chong (Elaine Tan) who has already gone. The door is, however, being left open for possible returns.

At the beginning of August, one of Walford’s favourite characters gets whacked over the head with a monkey wrench, resulting in a search for his attacker.

One source told me last night: “It’s a fantastic plot line and viewers will be left guessing as to who actually cracked him over the head. The fallout is great and it allows someone else to wreak their own revenge at the same time.”

Finally, following today's announcement that The Bill's Scott Maslen has jumped ship, I’ve also heard, on good authority, that there’s going to be another casting announcement within the next few days…

I think it’s safe to say EastEnders has finally turned the corner.

I found some uk spilers for EE

Summer Preview: EastEnders

Friday, July 13 2007, 11:02 BST

By Kris Green, Soaps Editor

I've been getting a lot of the same questions from my readers about certain characters in EastEnders – whether they're leaving, whether they're going and whether characters are coming back or not. So without further ado, here goes…

First up, Shirley's friend Heather (played by Cheryl Fergison). I'm told that she'll be around for a while yet and is now a semi-regular in the cast. The first time I saw her I wondered whether she'd work or not but I absolutely love her now. We'll see her cropping up every now and then on the Square and with Shirley. However, her next 'major' appearance will be during the Brighton episodes next month.

Next, Fin the Vet. I last mentioned him at the beginning of last month when it leaked onto the internet that Danny Alder would be the man portraying him. Well, he'll be on screen next week when Abi and Ben take 'Marge' and 'Marge Two' for their MOTs. It turns out that 'Marge Two' is, in fact, a boy who's impregnanted Marge. I blame Bradley (Charlie Clements).

Mitchell favourite Aunt Sal (Anna Karen) returns for wedding week – which, by the way, is UNMISSABLE – as her usual witty self. All I'm going to say is "Watch me Daddy…" Check back later in the week for an exclusive online interview with Sophie Thompson.

During the same week, Nina Wadia makes her first appearance as Post Office owner Zainab Masood. And it's not long before her daughter, Shabnam (Zahra Ahmadi), turns up to help her mother at work. Denise (Diane Parish), however, is completely unaware that Zainab is lining Shabnam up for the branch manager role…

Also during wedding week, Jay's (Jamie Borthwick) father, Jase (Stephen Lord), turns up out of the blue. We don't know much about him to start with but he's definitely one to keep an eye on. And for the thirty-somethings among you, he's naked on the Square in a couple of weeks. But which woman will he have is eye on first? Jane (Laurie Brett)? Honey (Emma Barton)? My money's on Pat (Pam St Clement).

Oh, and Jamie Borthwick is now being classed as a "regular" to the soap. From what I've read, that's good news for some.

Meanwhile, former Bad Girl Kika Mirylees returns to our screens next month as Garry Hobbs' (Ricky Groves) mum, Hazel. Again, she'll be there with Pat (Pam St Clement), newcomer Len Harker (Christopher Ellison), Garry, Minty (Cliff Parisi), Shirley (Linda Henry), Heather and Dawn (Kara Tointon) for the Brighton episodes.

And then onto the lovely Samantha Janus and Rita Simons, who joined recently as the Mitchell sister, Ronnie and Roxy. I can't wait for the pair (or should I say two pairs) to appear on screen. And within the first few days, they're already behind the bar at The Vic. I met them both last night, so check back next week for an exclusive interview with them.

Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) will also be popping back and forth onto the Square in the run up to daughter Stacey's (Lacey Turner) wedding to Bradley. And let's not forget Tanya Franks who plays Tanya Branning's heroin addict sister Rainie as well as Rory Jennings who plays tearaway teen, Craig Dixon.

Rainie definitely drags up a past which Tanya would rather forget, while Craig proves to be more that a chippy worker to the Beales when Lucy (Melissa Suffield) goes off the rails and falls for him.

And a roundup of those leaving: Bert Atkinson (Dave Hill) walks out of Walford on Tuesday, July 24 when he realises he’s not needed any more; and Li Chong (Elaine Tan) who has already gone. The door is, however, being left open for possible returns.

At the beginning of August, one of Walford’s favourite characters gets whacked over the head with a monkey wrench, resulting in a search for his attacker.

One source told me last night: “It’s a fantastic plot line and viewers will be left guessing as to who actually cracked him over the head. The fallout is great and it allows someone else to wreak their own revenge at the same time.”

Finally, following today's announcement that The Bill's Scott Maslen has jumped ship, I’ve also heard, on good authority, that there’s going to be another casting announcement within the next few days…

I think it’s safe to say EastEnders has finally turned the corner.

Wow...it's like a whole new show isn't it? The years I was hooked were ruled by The Slaters, The Mitchells, The Fowlers...I was a HUGE fan of Melanie, Martin, Sonia, Janine, Zoe, Kat, Alfie, Spencer...seems most (if not all) of them are all gone!

Did the show go through a rough patch? That's kind of how it reads...last eps I saw involved the younger set being in a bus crash...not sure exactly how far behind I was when I stopped seeing it...

Kade

A new cast photo has been released to coincide with the first episode of revamped Neighbours on July 23rd. The Parker family arrives in Erinsborough as Frazer rises from his wheelchair to walk down the aisle and marry Rosie. A bus crash leaves Ringo and Carmella trapped in the wreckage and a rescue is mounted before the bus explodes. Oliver's mother Rebecca arrives in town and immediately orders that Elle and Oliver end their relationship as Paul may be her son's father. Mickey goes missing as Ned declares his love for Janae.

Elsewhere a press release from the BBC:

WOW! ANother soap I used to watch back in the day with hardly any cast members I can name! Granted the US "Neighbours" episodes I saw last were up to the millenium new years (the gang was having a street party when someone's house caught fire...), we didn't get much past that! I was really into Libby and Drew along with Anne, Lance, Felicity, Paul, and Amy...if that dates me! I've also seen some classic Kylie/Jason years back in the late 80's on cable when the show was on over here...I always liked the easy going vibe of the show. It, and EastEnders, and currently Hollyoaks have been three of my favorite soap experiences of all time, the foreign soaps just seem (dispite being not set int he US) so much more relatable and real. Thanks for keeping this thread going, it's really interesting to see what's happening on both this show and EE!

Kade

All those new people. The whole show is mostly new people already as it is!

Anyone seen Shirley's friend Heather yet? What's she like?

Heather played by Cheryl Fergison

Jase played by Stephen Lord

Zainab Masood played by Nadia Wadia

Jack Branning played by Scott Maslen

Ronnie and Roxie Mitchell Played by Samantha Janus and Rita

Simons

Edited July 13, 200718 yr by dannigold

Thanks for all those pictures. I get it about 5 weeks behind. I haven't seen any of those new characters yet.

One thing I have noticed about the EE credits is they've seemed to add several writers & producers with Indian sounding names (or maybe Arabic) lately. Hopefully this will improve the multicultural aspect of the show and get it back to what it was when the show started. The show used to have gay characters back then too. All gone now after Pauline's friend, a glorified extra, eventually vanished somewhere.

I found this in a UK paper. It is a massive spoiler about the climax to the Ben, Stella and Phil storyline.

STELLA TAKES THE PLUNGE

By Tony Stewart 14/07/2007

SHE may have got fiance Phil suited and booted and down the aisle for the fourth time, with his mum Peggy and their few friends smiling happily at the posh wedding venue.

She may also be wearing a meringue of a dress, diamonds and a tiara, and delightedly enter the room hand in hand with a trembling Ben at the ceremony on Thursday. But for all that, we always knew that Cruella Stella’s dream of a fairytale wedding and a happy ever after were never going to come true. Although even she couldn’t have predicted that she’d end the day flat on her back on the bonnet of Phil’s new Jag – and extremely brown bread.

Chillingly played by Sophie Thompson, the deluded, demented and dangerous Stella joins a terrifying band of nutcases who have recently stalked Soapland, including Mad Maya in Corrie and Psycho Steph in Emmerdale.

And like them, she has to get her ultimate comeuppance for physically and mentally abusing 11-year-old Ben over the last few months in some of Ender’s most uncomfortable scenes.

‘Shut up, you snivelling little coward,’ Cruella snaps at him as she throws a picture of his beloved late mother Kathy on the floor and stomps on it.

Unfortunately, there is far worse to come for the forlorn lad as he and pal Abi Branning unsuccessfully try to run away. Knowing the fate that awaits her friend, Abi gives him ‘a stone of courage’ on the morning of the nuptials, and urges him to tell his father about Stella’s relentless abuse.

But the wicked stepmother-to-be seems to have a far greater hold over him. ‘I will kill you in your sleep if you don’t walk through that door,’ she hisses at him, digging her nails into his chest just before the service. ‘I will suffocate you in your bed. And your daddy will find your little dead body in the morning…’

Young Charlie Jones gives a moving performance as the terrified boy who is somehow brave enough to speak up just as Phil puts that treasured band of gold on Stella’s finger.

‘Can somebody help me?’ Ben pleads as blood seeps through his shirt.

After the psychological drama of the week, Friday turns into an all-action finale as Stella makes her escape and avenging Phil furiously chases ‘the bunny-boiling nut job’.

Trapped high on the edge of a factory roof, Stella has nowhere to run.

‘Yer nuffink,’ Phil growls as he closes in on her. ‘I chose you because you were easy. I chose you because you were safe. I fort you’d look after Ben, iron me shirts, an’ keep yer mouth shut for 30 years.’

Plunging to her death, she will now. But does she fall… or is she pushed?