Surely Corrie mum Kirsty wouldn’t harm her own baby…would she?

Next week in Soapland, a family reaches crisis point, a much-loved daughter faces a battle for survival, and an unlikely couple hit it off…

Coronation Street

I was hoping motherhood would help tame Kirsty Soames’ terrible temper – but sadly, the former WPC remains about as sweet-natured as Miss Piggy after a triple espresso. As new dad Tyrone returns to work, Kirsty struggles to cope with baby Ruby’s crying and ends up trashing the house in a fit of frustration.

Temper, temper, Kirsty!

Later, as a horrified Tyrone surveys the wreckage, he can’t help worrying that Kirsty could have hurt their child during her bonkers rampage. Thankfully, a trip to the surgery proves his fears are unfounded.

Alison meets the newest addition to the family

Back at home, a desperate Tyrone phones Kirsty’s counsellor for advice – and is stunned to learn his short-fused fiancée has been giving her appointments a swerve. But before he can confront her, Kirsty’s mum Alison turns up out of the blue, having finally plucked up the courage to leave her abusive husband Ed.

Dad-from-hell Ed makes an unwelcome appearance

Believing Alison will be a calming influence on Kirsty, Tyrone insists his future mother-in-law stay with them. But, as Alison settles in, a furious Ed shows up, demanding his wife returns home with him. Tyrone convinces him to leave, but the next day Ed returns and, after spotting Ruby momentarily unattended in the back yard, he plucks the tot from her pram.

Tyrone tells Kirsty’s dad to sling his hook

Aghast to see Ruby cradled in Ed’s arms, Kirsty demands he hand his granddaughter over. Ed agrees – but only on condition Alison comes home with him. While a browbeaten Alison goes upstairs to pack, Kirsty berates her dad for his bullying ways and, when Tyrone attempts to diffuse the situation, he gets a punch in the face from an angry Ed. As her parents leave together, Kirsty continues to rant and rave. Will Tyrone bear the brunt of her fury yet again? I shudder to think…

Ken receives a blast from the past

In other news, the never knowingly under-cardiganed Ken Barlow is persuaded to stand as chair of governors at Brian’s school. But he’s in for the shock of his life when he meets the Vice Chair, Mrs Papadopolous, and discovers she’s none other than his former lover, the now-married Wendy Crozier. Crikey, wait till Deirdre hears about this…

Emmerdale

Debbie Dingle’s really been through t’mill with her poorly daughter Sarah – and next week, the expectant mum faces a fresh crisis when Sarah’s health takes a turn for the worse. The drama begins when Debbie’s fiancé Cameron tells her he’ll look after Sarah while she goes shopping.

Cameron’s parenting skills leave something to be desired

But, struggling under the pressure of Carl’s blackmail, Cameron soon loses patience with the little ’un, sends her up to her room and promptly forgets about her. When Debbie returns, she goes upstairs and is shocked to find her daughter unconscious.

Mum-to-be Debbie faces a terrible dilemma

With no time to call an ambulance, the anxious couple rush Sarah to hospital, where tests reveal some devastating news – the 7-year-old is developing leukaemia and the only thing that can help her is a transplant. Despite being two weeks away from her due date, Debbie decides there’s only one thing she can do – have her baby induced immediately, in the hope the so-called ‘saviour sibling’ can provide the vital bone marrow Sarah needs.

Can Andy convince Debbie to take her pregnancy to full term?

As Cameron and dad-to-be Andy try to make Debbie see sense, Emmerdale fans will find themselves praying for an unexpected close up of some grazing livestock, or a lighthearted cutaway to Zak receiving electric shock treatment, just to lighten the mood.

Val extends an olive branch to Kerry

Elsewhere at Hotten General, cougar-of-the-Dales Kerry discharges herself and returns to the village to pick up her collection of luridly coloured separates. Amy arrives just as she’s leaving, and is ashamed to learn her mum heard every hurtful word she said at her hospital bedside. With Amy clearly torn between begging her mum to stay and booking her a one-way ticket to the Outer Hebrides, Val steps in and insists Kerry stays for now, knowing it’s what Amy, deep down in her heart, really wants.

Ashley says an emotional goodbye to Gabby

In other news, it’s a testing time for Ashley, when Laurel reveals that she and Gabby are moving in with Marlon. However, it isn’t long before the vicar’s wife starts wondering if she’s made the right decision…

EastEnders

AJ Ahmed’s been nothing but trouble ever since he arrived in Walford – and next week, Masood’s cocksure younger brother causes yet more family tension, by playing fast and loose with Roxy Mitchell.

Roxy makes a drunken show of herself

The mismatched pair decide to go on a boozy bender after finding themselves at a loose end – and, as they continue drinking back at the Masoods’ house, their flirting reaches frankly embarrassing proportions.

Roxy makes herself at home at the Masoods

Their behaviour doesn’t go down at all well with Zainab, who’s frothy mouthed with indignation over the lack of respect that AJ has for her home – and Masood backs her up, making it clear Roxy isn’t welcome.

AJ and Roxy get better acquainted

As AJ reluctantly shows Roxy to the door, he can’t resist going in for a cheeky snog. When Roxy responds with indecent enthusiasm, AJ risks the wrath of his family by sneaking her upstairs for a little afternoon delight. Ooh, saucy!

Phil prepares for some DIY

Elsewhere, in a bid to escape his many and varied problems, Phil throws himself into redecorating The Vic. His face turns an even more worrying shade of puce than usual when Cora arrives and announces that someone has done some decorating of their own at The Arches, spray-painting the words ‘RIP Hev’ across the doors.

A graffiti artist strikes at The Arches

Meanwhile, Sharon is feeling uneasy about being back in her old home – and her discomfort only grows when Phil asks her to run The Vic, declaring she belongs there. Sharon refuses, saying the place holds too many bad memories, but an increasingly agitated Phil grabs her arm and threatens to fire her from R&R unless she agrees. Determined to stand her ground, Sharon walks away, prompting a frustrated Phil to eye up the nearest vodka bottle (oh, Philthy!). And it seems he’s not the only one fighting a dangerous addiction…

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