Deirdre confronts love rival Wendy in Corrie’s battle of the blondes

Next week in Soapland, two old enemies come face to face, a birthday ends in disaster, and the Dales are alive with the sound of music…

Coronation Street

When it comes to soap mistresses, few women can hold a candle to Wendy Crozier. This, after all, is the woman whose affair with Ken Barlow in 1989 led to the breakdown of his marriage to Deirdre and a thwarted suicide bid. Now, more than 20 years later, wayward Wendy is back in Weatherfield – and she’s about to open a whole new Ken of worms…

The start of the week sees Ken sneaking away to open Wendy’s birthday gift in private. Touched by her thoughtfulness, he phones to thank her and is immediately invited over for coffee (let’s hope that’s the only thing on the menu!). As he leaves for Wendy’s, Ken tells Deirdre he has another board meeting; meanwhile, eagle-eyed Deirdre can’t help noticing her hubby is sporting a pair of shiny new cufflinks.

Deirdre pleads for Rita’s help

Deeply suspicious, Deirdre watches as Ken heads for the nearest cab. As he makes his getaway, she collars good friend Rita, who’s just popping out to get her bouffant re-teased, and persuades her to tail Ken in her car. When Ken arrives at his destination, Deirdre follows on foot and is stunned when Wendy opens the door to her house and greets Ken with a kiss on the cheek.

A kiss is just a kiss… or is it?

On Ken’s return, he finds Deirdre waiting for him with a face like a squeezed grapefruit. Realising he’s been found out, he insists there’s nothing going on between him and Wendy, but an inconsolable Deirdre flounces off, refusing to attend Ken’s birthday drinks in the Rovers later that evening.

Ken protests his innocence

As Ken goes to the pub alone, an outraged Deirdre heads over to Wendy’s house and, after warning her to stay away from Ken, tells her to take her cufflinks and shove them up her sensible blue cardie.

Michelle’s feeling lost without Ryan

Elsewhere, Michelle is struggling to cope without Ryan in her life. Keen to bring mother and son back together, Sally invites Michelle round to No.4, so the pair can discuss their differences, with her acting as referee.

Sally tries to get mother and son back on speaking terms

Amazingly, Sally’s Supernanny-style summit works and, as Michelle and Ryan are finally reconciled, Ryan decides he’d like to come home. Later, in the Rovers, he puts girlfriend Tracy’s evil piggy nose well and truly out of joint by telling her the news and suggesting they cool things for a while. Tracy, however, has other ideas…

EastEnders

Every teenage girl looks forward to celebrating her 16th – unfortunately, Abi Branning’s birthday bash turns out to be anything but sweet.

Abi’s 16th should be the happiest day of her young life…

It all kicks off when Sharon accuses gatecrasher Derek of being over-protective towards Alice. A fuming Del Boy retaliates by telling Jack he should stay away from Sharon, or he might just end up with a knife in his back, just like Dennis’s dad.

Unfortunately, dastardly Del Boy crashes the party

His outburst leaves guests reeling – and none more so than little Dennis, who flees the house in tears. With Abi’s party well and truly pooped, Tanya warns Derek to stay away from her family, prompting the pudding-faced gangster to storm out of the house, telling her she’s making a BIG mistake.

Whitney succumbs to Joey’s charms

Meanwhile, alone in the kitchen with Joey, Whitney’s busy cementing her reputation as Walford’s worst judge of character. Having previously fallen out with Whitney’s boyf Tyler, Joey can’t resist bad-mouthing the ex-antiques dealer. The little charmer then moves in for a kiss and Whitney inexplicably finds herself responding. Will Joey stay schtum about the pair’s close encounter? What do you think?

Lola’s at her wits’ end after losing baby Lexi

In other news, Lola and Billy are devastated when the interim care hearing orders Lexi to stay in temporary custody until the next hearing, which is eight agonising weeks away. With nowhere else to turn, Billy begs Phil to help them and is shocked when his cousin refuses, saying it’s Billy’s mess and it’s up to him to sort it out.

Syed and Danny get better acquainted

Elsewhere, Syed’s feeling overwhelmed as plans for his wedding gather pace. Instead of talking things through with fiancé Christian, he finds comfort in the arms of swoonsome city banker Danny instead. Oh, Syed!

Emmerdale

I’ve been following Declan Macey’s plans for a music festival at Barton’s Farm with some amusement. Who the heckety-heck’s going to headline?, I’ve been tittering to anyone who’ll listen. The Wurzels? Kajagoogoo? Zak Dingle on the ukele? It seems I underestimated Declan, however, for the businessman’s impressive set list turns out to include Scouting for Girls (gasp!) and Scots duo The Proclaimers (double gasp!).

Declan and girlfriend Katie meet The Proclaimers

Unsurprisingly, the event proves to be a huge success (kerrrching!) – but, as Megan and Robbie look forward to leaving for London with a healthy profit, little do they know that Declan is secretly plotting to ruin them. Whoever said blood was thicker than water?

Emmerdale’s young ravers (and Kerry) let their hair down

Elsewhere in t’village, Chas is struggling to cover Cameron’s tracks following The Woolpack burglary. Backed into a corner by Cain, she tells him it was her who took the money from the pub, unaware that Diane has overheard every word.

Diane gives Chas a piece of her mind

Later, the angry landlady confronts Chas, telling her she’ll keep quiet for Dan’s sake, but as soon as the wedding is over, Chas will be out on her ear. Worse is to come when Debbie gets wind of her auntie’s confession and lays into Chas for letting Cameron take the rap for the theft.

Debbie is shocked at Chas’s betrayal

In other news, brotherly love is in short supply, as Jimmy and Carl clash over Chas. When Jimmy tells Carl he’s deluding himself and doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning Chas’s heart, Carl retaliates by putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign outside Mill Cottage.

Carl and Jimmy lock horns

Horrified at the thought of losing his home, Jimmy confronts Carl and is aghast when his brother explains he’s quite happy to see him out on the street – what’s more, he’ll even help him pack. Charming!

What do you think of this week’s storylines? Let us know below.