Dot returns to Albert Square – but can she reunite her warring family?

Next week in Soapland, a matriarch’s return causes ructions, a pregnancy hangs in the balance, and a secret affair is exposed…

EastEnders

She left Albert Square nearly a year ago, but now Dot Branning (she of the tabard and the voice you could sandpaper skirting boards with) is back. What’s more, she’s determined to put back the pieces of the Brannings’ shattered lives. Hmmm, good luck with that one, Dot…

Dot confronts Lauren after catching her with Joey

But before Dot can reunite her warring family, there’s a series of shocks in store. First off, she inadvertently walks in on granddaughter Lauren snogging on the sofa with Joey – and it isn’t long before the kissing cousins’ dirty little secret is exposed.

A surprise discovery leaves Dot red-faced

Then she finds a pair of boxer shorts wedged down the side of her sofa – ewww! Horrified to discover standards at the house have slipped in her absence, Dot wastes no time giving a stunned Cora her marching orders.

Ian arrives, just as Dot’s showing Cora the door

By the time Ian arrives with a ‘welcome back’ bouquet of flowers, Dot’s beginning to wish she’d stayed away. Can Ian and his ever-growing paunch convince her to stick around? I do hope so…

Don’t get too cosy with Dex, Lola!

Elsewhere in Walford, young Dexter is busy working his charms on Lola – and doesn’t let up, even when he discovers she’s mum to little Lexi. The pair get better acquainted as they watch DVDs at Billy’s flat, but when Phil arrives he’s not impressed and issues Lola with an ultimatum: ditch Dex, or give up her access to Lexi.

Zainab and Denise give Ayesha the benefit of their wisdom

In other news, Zainab and Denise offer Ayesha relationship advice, much to Ian’s amusement, and Tanya makes another shocking discovery. Crikey, how many bombshells can one woman take?

Coronation Street

As the day of Tyrone’s wedding draws ever nearer, the much-loved mechanic is setting the wheels in motion for his escape from crazy Kirsty. Believing the marriage will give him parental rights over their daughter Ruby, Tyrone tells secret lover Fiz that as soon as the ink is dry on the marriage certificate he’ll be hers. Of course, life in Soapland is never that simple, and as the lovers plan their future life together, one fateful error threatens to ruin their best-laid plans.

Fiz and Tyrone plan their future

The drama begins when Tyrone and Fiz make plans over the phone, agreeing to do a runner with Ruby the minute the wedding reception starts. But when Kirsty suddenly walks in, Tyrone is forced to hide his secret phone down the side of the sofa. And when the girls arrive for Kirsty’s hen party, Tyrone has no choice but to leave without it. Will Kirsty find the phone and discover Tyrone’s betrayal? It hardly bears thinking about…

Kirsty offers an olive branch to Fiz

Meanwhile, Fiz gets an unpleasant surprise when Kirsty calls at No.5. After insisting they bury the hatchet for Tyrone’s sake, she invites Fiz to the wedding. Oh dear, this is all getting very messy indeed…

The twins’ birthday party is about to be ruined

On the other side of t’Street, the heartache thickens for Sunita at the twins’ birthday party, when Karl hits the bottle and rages at her for setting him up the night that Stella discovered their affair. As Sunita attempts to paper over the cracks in their crumbling relationship by begging for forgiveness, a sickened Dev urges his ex to ditch Karl and find a man who’s worthy of her.

David confronts Kylie at the clinic

In other news, an excited David finds wife Kylie’s positive pregnancy test in the bin. But joy quickly turns to heartache when Weatherfield foghorn Eva tells him that Kylie – who fears she may be pregnant with another man’s child – is already en route to the abortion clinic. Shocked and confused, a desperate David races to the clinic to confront his missus – but is it already too late?

Rob and sister Carla square up

Elsewhere, Rob reckons he’s found the perfect plan to hit sister Carla where it hurts, after getting wind of a make-or-break meeting for the factory. And, as Carla decides to play him at his own game, the scene is set for soap’s ultimate sibling showdown. Bring it on!

Emmerdale

Little Jacob Gallagher was left crying into his Coco Pops when mum Alicia told him she was splitting up with David. Now the poor lad faces yet more heartache when he catches stepdad David kissing his secret lover Priya.

David shows Alicia the cardie he got for Christmas

The shock scene comes after David returns from holiday with Priya and feels guilty as Alicia explains that she’s had to tell Jacob about their break-up. David is quick to reassure Jacob that things won’t have to change too much, but when he tells the youngster that nothing is ruled out for the future, he unwittingly gives him false hope.

Jacob gets a nasty surprise

In the days that follow, Alicia and David – who only got married so that David could become Jacob’s guardian when Alicia was sent to prison for assault – start to spread the word around the village that they’ve separated. Meanwhile, David has convinced pushy Priya to keep their relationship a secret for another couple of weeks an attempt to protect the youngster, but his plan goes awry when Jacob spots them snogging in the street and runs off in tears. Oh dear.

Debbie has an, ahem, ‘business’ meeting with Dom

In other news, Debbie decides to set up a sideline courier business at the garage. In a bid to gain insider info, she flirts shamelessly with courier rider Dom, while concerned dad Cain watches from the sidelines.

Acting on a tip-off, the police raid the courier firm

It isn’t long before Debbie discovers that Dom’s firm is involved in delivering drugs. Spotting an opportunity to ruin the rival business, the devilish Miss Dingle devises a cunning plan that involves a phone call to the police and nerves of steel.

Is it curtains for Declan and Katie’s marriage?

Elsewhere, another nail is bashed into the coffin of Declan and Katie’s doomed union when Declan confronts Katie with his concerns over her growing closeness to Andy and Katie admits she’s not sure if she wants to save their marriage. Charming!

Well, what do you think of next week’s soaps? Let us know below.