Soapwatch: Claudia Connell's ultimate insight into this week's soaps

• e-mail

 The dating pool is very shallow in soaps, where people prefer to select their partners from their immediate neighbours. 

With such limited options, is it any wonder so many characters end up getting back together with their exes time and time again?

Coronation Street’s Steve McDonald and Tracy Barlow are reviving their relationship for what feels like the hundredth time. 

This is a woman who lied to him about being the father of their child Amy, tried to sell Amy and accused Steve of kidnapping Amy. 

Nobody could say he isn’t forgiving. Carla Connor’s return to Weatherfield also begs the question of which of her old flames she’ll be sparking up a new relationship with – and there’s no shortage of candidates.

After a boozy night out Kate and Sophie are caught sharing a kiss and word reaches Rana in Coronation Street

Over in Emmerdale it’s only a matter of time before Cain and Moira end up back together and I wouldn’t rule out a Ross and Debbie reunion either. And who’ll be the first man in Walford Melanie Owen gets her claws into? 

Her exes include Billy and Phil Mitchell and Ian Beale. Chances are one of them will be in for a rekindled romance in 2018. 

CORONATION STREET: KATE'S CAUGHT KISSING 

After a boozy night out Kate and Sophie are caught sharing a kiss and word reaches Rana. Torn between the two women, Kate does what all soap characters do in a crisis – she gets in a taxi and leaves town.

Someone who definitely should leave town is Seb who, having realised Phelan is a nasty piece of work, is on the fast track to being his next victim. This week he tells Eileen that Phelan framed Anna. 

Unnerved, Eileen arranges a prison visit to Anna to hear her side of the story. Is Eileen on the brink of discovering she’s married to Weatherfield’s biggest serial killer since Richard Hillman? I do hope so, this story’s been dragging on way too long.

Mel Owen, returns to the square after 16 years away, where she catches up with Ian in EastEnders 

Realising her posh boyfriend Henry is a snob, Gemma ends it with him. But she’s stunned when he begs her to reconsider, saying he’s fallen in love with her. Dolly-Rose Campbell, who plays Gemma, is one of the best things to happen to Corrie in recent years. It’s great she’s getting her own storylines rather than being a bit player in others’ dramas.

Simon reappears from wherever he’s been hiding recently and is up to no good. He scams his family and then steals vodka from the Rovers. He’s his father’s son all right.  

EASTENDERS: MEL OF A SHOCK FOR IAN 

Two former residents make their way back to Albert Square this week. First to arrive is Tiffany Butcher, daughter of Bianca. 

Whitney has yet again lost her job at The Vic and just as she’s making plans to move to Yorkshire and revive her T-shirt business, Tiffany lands on her doorstep. It’s soon clear Tiffany’s in trouble and when Whitney finds a pregnancy test in the bin she confronts the teenager and discovers why she’s really returned to Walford.

An even more baffling arrival is that of Mel Owen, who shows up after 16 years away. Her first port of call is the café where she catches up with Ian, the man she was married to for all of five minutes.

After hearing of the Whites' plans to go to Australia Robert, with the help of Victoria, snatches baby Seb from the Whites’ car in Emmerdale

Masood, another wanderer who recently returned, is playing the big shot, much to Ian’s displeasure. He boasts of being a successful businessman in the ice cream world and tells Jack he’s interested in buying one of his luxury flats for cash. 

But by the end of the week, things start to unravel for Masood and the true picture of his circumstances emerges.

Karen lands an interview with Mr Papadopoulos Junior at the revamped launderette. Bizarrely, he seems curiously charmed by her. 

However, Karen has a rival and the two hopefuls are given a trial where the best candidate will be hired. If Karen does land the role, how will she get any work done? She can’t go five minutes without lighting up a cigarette or stuffing a piece of toast into her mouth.

EMMERDALE: ROBERT AND SON ON THE RUN 

Thanks to the private detective he hired, Robert learns all about the Whites’ plan to move to Australia. 

With the help of Victoria, he snatches baby Seb from the Whites’ car (pictured) and goes on the run with his son. 

It’s not long before the Whites are in hot pursuit. Two cars, travelling at high speed – it’s only going to end one way, isn’t it?

Bob is determined to win Brenda back after his fling with Laurel. He leaves a trail of clues for Brenda to follow that’ll lead to him proposing. Perhaps he could leave a trail of clues for DS Benton and his colleagues too – those coppers couldn’t catch a cold between them.