Latest news with #Woolpack
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale meets Breaking Bad plot unveiled as star to make dramatic entrance
Joe Absolom swaps the Queen Vic for the Woolpack next week in his dramatic entrance on Emmerdale as a drug dealer, 25 years after he was last seen propping up the bar in EastEnders. Joe will burst into the Dales on Tuesday in a massive storyline he has dubbed 'Emmerdale Breaking Bad'. Referring to the hit US crime drama, the dad of three roars with laughter as he admits his children finally think he has landed an impressive role. He says: 'They are in the very 'not bothered' category when it comes to me being an actor. I don't really tell them what I am doing – it's more 'have you done your homework?, don't forget your PE kit'. 'But my son wants to be an actor too, and I have talked to him about this new role. I guess it does sound cool, 'Oh, I am playing a drug dealer' to a 14-year-old boy. They are like 'wow dad, at last you are playing someone proper'.' Emmerdale fans will watch Joe's character Ray claiming to be an old 'associate' of Mack, who wants to sell some farm machinery. But it soon becomes clear Ray is more interested in the crops – or drugs – Mack is growing in the fields, than he is in tractors. Quickly realising the drugs' value, he makes Mack an offer he can't refuse, then recruits April and Dylan to drop the drugs off for him. In his first newspaper interview ahead of his big soap return, Joe says: 'It's so exciting to be a part of such a meaty plotline like this. With drugs involved, it's like Emmerdale Breaking Bad! And it's great to be playing someone who will definitely be ruffling a few feathers.' Scared and excited to be joining the Yorkshire drama, since his last soap role in EastEnders Joe's career has been varied - including roles as Al Large in Doc Martin, Andy Warren in The Bay, and most recently as criminal Braden in the critically acclaimed Code is Silence, alongside Strictly's Rose Ayling-Ellis. 'It is genuinely terrifying joining anything like this,' he says, of Emmerdale. 'It's very rare for me to join anything that is so well established and I was nervous on my first day. 'Something like Code of Silence, which I have just worked on for ITV, you turn up on day one and it's new to everybody. Here, people have obviously been working together for years. But, thankfully, as soon as I arrived in the Green Room, everyone said 'Hi mate, nice to meet you' and that instantly relaxed me. 'I'm a few weeks in now, but I am really enjoying it. This isn't work! To play someone like Ray is so much fun.' The role also represents an element of job security, which in an insecure profession like acting is a godsend. Now a proud dad to Lyla, 18, Casper, 14 and Daisy, 12, that fear over whether the roles will dry up is never far away. 'As a jobbing actor, you bounce from job to job and keep your fingers crossed, because you aren't really sure what is going to happen,' he explains. 'You finish a job and think 'I will never work again' - in fact you think that every morning when you wake up! At school, they asked the children what their dads did. One kid stood up and said 'a doctor,' another 'a farmer 'and my Daisy said: 'my dad takes out all the bins!' 'That's because I am not a useful guy with tools in a van - I disappear and then I come back.' Modest and good-natured, Joe says being the best dad he can be by providing for his kids is now his driving force. He explains: 'When I did EastEnders, I was living with my mum and dad, I got the train and went out with my mates. I remember people had mortgages and now I am at the same stage! I am 46, I have three children and things to pay for. What's nice about this Emmerdale role is you can shut the worry voices up and go 'it's ok, I am going to Leeds to film on Wednesday'. The role also comes at a sad time for Joe, as he navigates divorce from his kids' mum, Liz Brown. The couple met in 2002 and got married 17 years later in 2019. After a terrifying burglary at their South London home, they upped sticks and moved to Cornwall in 2013, where the family still live. 'We have split up,' he says. 'We are getting a divorce. It's working for everyone, it's a little give and take.' Reluctant to discuss any more about the split, he does make it clear that joining Emmerdale has been a true tonic at a difficult time. Even the seven-hour door to door commute from his Cornish home to Leeds doesn't bother him. He jokes: 'It's nice to sit on a train and watch some TV – just like everyone else. I know some people talk about switching off from work, but I never switch off. I really enjoy what I do.' According to Joe, his character Ray will be manipulative and conniving from the outset - going to any lengths to get exactly what he wants. He says: 'Ray turns up under the guise of running a business that supplies four farms, but then quite quickly, he realises he wants the farms to supply to him. 'Mack and Lewis are using their green fingers in a way to grow certain crops (drugs) which are maybe not as legal as others, should we say. It's a high grade and Ray is interested in establishing a constant supply from these green fingered wonders.' And smooth talking Ray soon has Mack and Lewis doing exactly what he wants. 'There will be a sense that Ray's part of a bigger picture,' says Joe. 'The danger is we don't know which part of the cog he is - a trigger puller ,or the person making the tea.' Like any big Emmerdale storyline, it will, promises Joe, get even darker. 'Ray will be praying on the weaker side of the village,' he reveals. 'Ray quickly realises there is youth - in April and Dylan. If you show cash in return for taking a rucksack to the park, it's very attractive.' Emmerdale fans will be delighted to hear the actor has signed up for the foreseeable future. Joe is currently staying at a hotel in Leeds when he is filming. 'I love a new city,' he enthuses. 'Everyone here has their own lives and so, you can't say 'hey let's set up a What's app group'. They would be like 'we did that ten years ago!' But I am a bit of a lone wolf anyway and I am fine with my life just going to Nando's on a table for one!' Humble and extremely likeable, looking back on the last 25 years and the great roles he has landed, Joe says: 'I feel surprised and I sometimes feel I can't believe I am 46 and still working on something. 'All the dramas I've worked on I've enjoyed. Code of Silence, more recently, was very enjoyable. I really wanted my character, Braden, to shoot himself at the end!' Fame, he says, has never been something he has courted. "When I was in EastEnders, I wasn't a celebrity, I turned up and did the work,' he says. 'Now I like looking after my kids. I don't need anything else.' Clearly excited about his new soap role, he hints about just how bad Ray will become. 'We don't know quite how bad Ray is, but if things aren't delivered, then there will be repercussions for everyone in the local area,' he says. 'If a rucksack with drugs gets lost, there are always going to be problems. We may see a different side of Ray when that happens.'
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Emmerdale and Coronation Street facing major changes to cut costs, ex-soap boss warns
EMMERDALE could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time as part of a production merger with Coronation Street, according the one the ITV1 soap's former bosses. Peter Fincham, the channel's Director of Television before current boss Kevin Lygo, has revealed he believes that the soap could soon be moving to Manchester. Advertisement 10 Emmerdale could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time - pictured the Woolpack Credit: Rex 10 The soap could move as part of a production merger with Coronation Street Credit: PA He's predicted that the recent devastating cuts to daytime television, and the loss of hundreds of jobs, would lead to executives looking at similar measures with their two biggest soaps, which are made in locations just 50 miles apart. Talking on The TV Podcast, Peter said: 'You've got Coronation Street being made in Manchester, Emmerdale in Leeds. 'Big savings' 'Could you imagine, rather like the daytime consolidation, that ITV will decide to have them both made in the same place under one umbrella? Big savings. 'You still keep Emmerdale set in Yorkshire, but it could be made in Manchester and Salford, which is a bigger hub for ITV. I don't think that's inconceivable — it might be being planned as we speak.' Advertisement Read More on TV Merging the two shows in any way once seemed unthinkable, but recently ITV announced that it would air an episode next year where the soaps would have a joint storyline. The news came around the same time ITV announced a merger of production between Currently, Emmerdale is made just north of Leeds while Coronation Street is largely filmed at MediaCity in Salford, having previously been at the Granada Studios in Manchester for decades. Peter continued: 'The new hub for Coronation Street in Salford, it cost many, many millions of pounds and it was better facilities for all the people who worked on it in the old place in the middle of Manchester.' Advertisement Most read in TV Exclusive A spokesperson for ITV hit back at Peter's suggestion of a soap filming merge: 'ITV has no plans to merge the productions of Coronation Street and Emmerdale. 'Both are uniquely set in Manchester and Leeds, and that production model will continue for the long term. It's pure speculation to say otherwise.' ITV Daytime Shake-Up: Major Changes to Lorraine and Loose Women Revealed The reality star is set to come face to face with ex-boyfriend Advertisement 10 Ella Rae Wise was all smiles as she stepped out to film for The Only Way Is Essex in Portugal Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Roman Hackett and Sammy Root enjoy a ball game Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD Advertisement 10 Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD While the last series saw Ella and Dan become 'official' ahead of her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, it was revealed in April the two had split 'amicably'. But that will be put to the test as the cast were seen gathering poolside in the Algarve. Joining Ella were Roman Hackett and Sammy Root who enjoyed a ball game, as Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink. Advertisement Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook while Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman. Others including Elma Pazar, Harry Derbridge, Amber Turner, Dani Imbert and Amy Childs are also on the trip. SHERI'S DRAMA A SAFE BET A first look at the new series, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer, sees the duo as the show's Matty and Leanne, dressed for their job at a gambling mecca in Liverpool. Advertisement 10 Michael Socha and Sheridan Smith After discovering that they have both been robbing from the business, the pair are on a terrifying collision course. For the five-parter, the actors will be joined by House Of The Dragon's Barry Sloane, Dope Girls' Geraldine James, Extraordinary's Shaun Mason and The Power Of Parker star Louis Emerick in the high-stakes, high-energy series. DEATH Valley is set to return for a second series. Advertisement The BBC murder mystery comedy drama, which stars The first series is currently airing on BBC One on Sunday evenings. RICHARD: MY PAST SO RACY BEING a man of the cloth doesn't mean that Reverend Richard Coles has forgotten all about his rock 'n' roll past in the Eighties. If anything, the I'm A Celebrity star is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards. Advertisement 10 Rev Richard Coles is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards Credit: Rex Richard told Rylan on his How To Be In Love podcast: 'After the band reached its highest point, and we were taking a break, that was when sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll came together for me, and I went to Ibiza. 'There was one summer I went with a bunch of people, and we l took ecstasy, and acid, everything really, and got barred from Avis car rental for life because we got through a lot of vehicles. 'Then I bought a speed boat, and I don't know where it is, but I did buy a speed boat.' Advertisement RACE TO FINALE HOTS UP THE contestants have now been whittled down to four pairs for the the tense finale of Now 10 Race Across The World finalists: Melvyn and Brian, Caroline and Tom, Elizabeth and Letitia and Fin and Sioned But just because things are hotting up, and requiring more physical energy than ever, it doesn't mean the show's oldest ever contestants, brothers Melvyn and Brian, are going to struggle. Advertisement Melvyn joked: 'I'm 66 but that doesn't mean I can't do a parachute jump or a bungee jump! 'The wife wouldn't be happy, but that doesn't mean I can't do it – don't think you're too old to do stuff. I'm proud of what we have done.' Brian added: 'We knew going into the race it would be tough and we would probably be out of our comfort zone. 'But, it's no surprise to me, I always knew that we could do it.' Advertisement
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Emmerdale and Coronation Street facing major changes to cut costs, ex-soap boss warns
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMERDALE could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time as part of a production merger with Coronation Street, according the one the ITV1 soap's former bosses. Peter Fincham, the channel's Director of Television before current boss Kevin Lygo, has revealed he believes that the soap could soon be moving to Manchester. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 10 Emmerdale could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time - pictured the Woolpack Credit: Rex 10 The soap could move as part of a production merger with Coronation Street Credit: PA He's predicted that the recent devastating cuts to daytime television, and the loss of hundreds of jobs, would lead to executives looking at similar measures with their two biggest soaps, which are made in locations just 50 miles apart. Talking on The TV Podcast, Peter said: 'You've got Coronation Street being made in Manchester, Emmerdale in Leeds. 'Big savings' 'Could you imagine, rather like the daytime consolidation, that ITV will decide to have them both made in the same place under one umbrella? Big savings. 'You still keep Emmerdale set in Yorkshire, but it could be made in Manchester and Salford, which is a bigger hub for ITV. I don't think that's inconceivable — it might be being planned as we speak.' Merging the two shows in any way once seemed unthinkable, but recently ITV announced that it would air an episode next year where the soaps would have a joint storyline. The news came around the same time ITV announced a merger of production between Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women, with the expected loss of more than 200 jobs behind the scenes. Currently, Emmerdale is made just north of Leeds while Coronation Street is largely filmed at MediaCity in Salford, having previously been at the Granada Studios in Manchester for decades. Peter continued: 'The new hub for Coronation Street in Salford, it cost many, many millions of pounds and it was better facilities for all the people who worked on it in the old place in the middle of Manchester.' A spokesperson for ITV hit back at Peter's suggestion of a soap filming merge: 'ITV has no plans to merge the productions of Coronation Street and Emmerdale. 'Both are uniquely set in Manchester and Leeds, and that production model will continue for the long term. It's pure speculation to say otherwise.' ITV Daytime Shake-Up: Major Changes to Lorraine and Loose Women Revealed ELLA RAE WISE was all smiles as she stepped out to film for The Only Way Is Essex in Portugal. The reality star is set to come face to face with ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar in the upcoming series, which marks the reality show's 15th anniversary with a trip abroad. 10 Ella Rae Wise was all smiles as she stepped out to film for The Only Way Is Essex in Portugal Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Roman Hackett and Sammy Root enjoy a ball game Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD While the last series saw Ella and Dan become 'official' ahead of her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, it was revealed in April the two had split 'amicably'. But that will be put to the test as the cast were seen gathering poolside in the Algarve. Joining Ella were Roman Hackett and Sammy Root who enjoyed a ball game, as Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink. Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook while Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman. Others including Elma Pazar, Harry Derbridge, Amber Turner, Dani Imbert and Amy Childs are also on the trip. SHERI'S DRAMA A SAFE BET MICHAEL SOCHA and Sheridan Smith play two casino workers on the run from a local gangster, and the police, in upcoming drama The Cage. A first look at the new series, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer, sees the duo as the show's Matty and Leanne, dressed for their job at a gambling mecca in Liverpool. 10 Michael Socha and Sheridan Smith After discovering that they have both been robbing from the business, the pair are on a terrifying collision course. For the five-parter, the actors will be joined by House Of The Dragon's Barry Sloane, Dope Girls' Geraldine James, Extraordinary's Shaun Mason and The Power Of Parker star Louis Emerick in the high-stakes, high-energy series. DEATH Valley is set to return for a second series. The BBC murder mystery comedy drama, which stars Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth as unlikely crime-solving partners, is set to begin filming again this autumn in Wales. The first series is currently airing on BBC One on Sunday evenings. RICHARD: MY PAST SO RACY BEING a man of the cloth doesn't mean that Reverend Richard Coles has forgotten all about his rock 'n' roll past in the Eighties. If anything, the I'm A Celebrity star is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards. 10 Rev Richard Coles is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards Credit: Rex Richard told Rylan on his How To Be In Love podcast: 'After the band reached its highest point, and we were taking a break, that was when sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll came together for me, and I went to Ibiza. 'There was one summer I went with a bunch of people, and we l took ecstasy, and acid, everything really, and got barred from Avis car rental for life because we got through a lot of vehicles. 'Then I bought a speed boat, and I don't know where it is, but I did buy a speed boat.' RACE TO FINALE HOTS UP THE contestants have now been whittled down to four pairs for the the tense finale of Race Across The World tonight. Now Melvyn and Brian, Caroline and Tom, Elizabeth and Letitia and Fin and Sioned will battle it out to win the BBC One contest. 10 Race Across The World finalists: Melvyn and Brian, Caroline and Tom, Elizabeth and Letitia and Fin and Sioned But just because things are hotting up, and requiring more physical energy than ever, it doesn't mean the show's oldest ever contestants, brothers Melvyn and Brian, are going to struggle. Melvyn joked: 'I'm 66 but that doesn't mean I can't do a parachute jump or a bungee jump! 'The wife wouldn't be happy, but that doesn't mean I can't do it – don't think you're too old to do stuff. I'm proud of what we have done.' Brian added: 'We knew going into the race it would be tough and we would probably be out of our comfort zone. 'But, it's no surprise to me, I always knew that we could do it.'
Metro
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Emmerdale Gail star lands new role just weeks after exit
Former Emmerdale star Rachael Gill-Davis has joined the cast of a new play. The actress portrayed Gail Loman in the ITV soap up until just a few weeks ago. The character was in a relationship with Ryan Stocks (James Moore) and worked at the Woolpack. Rachael was among many Emmerdale cast members who departed this year. Also on the list were stars including Roxy Shahidi (Leyla Harding), Paula Lane (Ella Forster) and Martelle Edinborough (Suzy Merton). Now she has waved goodbye to soapland, Rachael has been busy in the world of theatre, rehearsing for a play called Saint Joan, by George Bernard Shaw. Rachael will play Joan of Arc, with the production running between August 16-23 in Cheltenham and Malvern. Gail Loman left the Emmerdale village to start a new job in Devon with her mate. Prior to her departure, Gail came to realise that she wanted more from her life than just helping out at the local boozer. More Trending She attempted to impress people by organising a Mr and Mrs quiz, but that ended badly when she took part in a round with partner Ryan Stocks (James Moore). Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Gail and Ryan ended up getting quite a few questions wrong. It left Gail feeling embarrassed, and she eventually came to the conclusion the couple were no longer in love with each other. It was the status of her relationship changing and her career dreams that pushed Gail to leave. Ryan felt emotional saying goodbye to her, but he was ultimately pleased that Gail was going to find her happiness. View More » The scenes that saw Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson) drive Gail out of the village marked the end of two years on the show for Rachael. She previously played Gail in 2019, but then returned permanently in 2023. MORE: Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian, 43, reveals her body is 'under construction' after cancer battle MORE: Popular TV star 'forever grateful' as major series opts to bring her back MORE: Sue Cleaver lands new role days after Coronation Street exit
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Horrifying moment Emmerdale's April comes face to face with man who committed disgusting act on her while homeless
EMMERDALE's April Windsor has come face to face with a vile man she endured during her time living on the streets. The teen, who spent time pregnant and homeless, unwittingly ran into a man who she encountered during her time sleeping rough. 5 5 5 Fans of Emmerdale will recall how April disappeared at Christmas amid her secret pregnancy and family unrest. She lived on the streets before eventually finding a squat where she stayed and begged for cash on the streets as well as witnessing brutal murders and attacks. April suffered her own trauma when she miscarried whilst homeless before being raced to hospital suffering from complications. Now, in scenes broadcast during the latest Emmerdale episode, April is forced to relive her horror ordeal when she comes face-to-face with a man who suggested he could perform a disgusting act on her because she was homeless. In the episode, April began working alongside Belle and the Take A Vow business amid struggles with schooling. She was tasked with helping out with a local christening and filming the day's proceedings. But when the dad of the child set to be christened walked into The Woolpack, April was visibly taken aback. A flashback then saw April sleeping rough as two drunk guys approached her. One man could be heard asking: "Why are we so wasted?" The other man then stated that he was "bursting" in a reference to needing to use the toilet. Emmerdale newcomer Bradley Riches reveals soap bosses allowed him to re-write his scripts for new role as Lewis Barton His pal then shockingly encouraged him to "go on him" after mistaking April for a man. Hitting back, the vile man then said: "Him? You need your eyes testing, he is a little girl." Then then asked April if she wanted a drink before throwing their remaining beer at her as the man begin to tug at his belt and unzip his jeans. April then began to get up and attempt to flee the situation as the man in question continued to unbuckle his trousers with a plan to urinate on her. 5 5 The homeless teen managed to get away with the man shouting a shocking comment to her, having already referenced one vile act. As he tugged at his jeans once more, he remarked: "Fancy earning yourself a quick fiver, do you?" The scene then cut back to April as she looked on in fear inside the pub. But will April tell everyone about her encounter with the vile man? Or will it be another secret she is forced to live with from her time on the streets? Soap's most harrowing teen storylines We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Belle Dingle's schizophrenia in Emmerdale - Belle's (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral. The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma's voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being. Hannah Ashworth's anorexia in Hollyoaks - Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body. As Hannah's condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life. Bethany Platt's grooming ordeal in Coronation Street - Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie's darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator. The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her. Whitney Dean's abuse from Tony in EastEnders - Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca's boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him. On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years.
