TALKING POINTS | Corrie, Emmerdale, The Celebrity Traitors, EastEnders and Mr Loverman

Here's what's got me talking this week...

It's that time of the week again where I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.

From an upcoming soap crossover episode to Mr Loverman's BAFTA success and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...

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1

CORRIE & EMMERDALE

joining forces for a crossover episode

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Back in February, ITV announced that from January 2026, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will move to a new scheduling pattern on ITV1, introducing what they're calling a new "soaps power hour" from Monday to Friday, with 30-minute Emmerdale episodes at 8pm, and 30-minute Coronation Street episodes at 8.30pm.

And this week, both soap's rather excitedly announced that they'll be joining forces in an unprecedented, one-off special episode in January to launch the broadcaster’s new power hour of soap. For the first time in British soap history, the hour-long episode will see characters from both soaps come together in a celebration of the soap genre.

To herald the beginning of the new scheduling pattern, both soaps will mark the occasion in spectacular style, as the combined production teams embark on an ambitious stunt that will have everlasting consequences for everyone involved.

The distinctive worlds of Emmerdale and Coronation Street will merge for one night only in a ‘mash-up’ of our two favourite communities.

The producers, scriptwriters and production teams have conceived an ingenious way of linking the two universes, but with characters then returning to the soaps they are renowned for inhabiting in Manchester and Yorkshire.

The episode will be self-contained, but the consequences of the high-stakes drama will have repercussions for both communities and see them linked forever as familiar faces depart and exciting new characters arrive into both soaps.

In an extra treat for the viewers, the producers of both programmes are inviting the audience to choose which two characters, one from each soap, they would like to see meet and interact in a scene.

Details of this initiative will be launched next month via Coronation Street and Emmerdale’s Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts, with viewers then able to influence the content of our two pre-eminent soaps.

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2

THE CELEBRITY TRAITORS

line-up finally confirmed!

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It was probably the worst kept secret ever, due to pap pics of the celebs arriving in the Highlands a few weeks ago, but now that filming has wrapped on the first series of The Celebrity Traitors, the BBC has finally confirmed the line-up and it's as brilliant as we'd all been led to believe it would be.

The confirmed all-star cast who'll be playing the ultimate game of deceit and betrayal are; comedian Alan Carr, singer/songwriter Cat Burns, actor Celia Imrie, singer/activist Charlotte Church, broadcaster and author Clare Balding, historian and filmaker David Olusoga, former England Rugby player and podcaster Joe Marler, comedian Joe Wilkinson, presenter Jonathan Ross and broadcaster Kate Garraway.

Also playing the game, are comedian Lucy Beaumont, actor Mark Bonnar, actor and comedia Nick Mohammed, content creator Niko Omilana, singer/songwriter and actor Paloma Faith, actor Ruth Codd, actor, writer, presenter Stephen Fry, actor and comedian Tameka Empson and Olympian, author, broadcaster and entrepreneur Tom Daley.

Once again, Claudia Winkle will host the new series which will air on BBC One in the autumn as the celebrities play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning a cash prize up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

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3

CINDY'S REVENGE

on Kathy in EastEnders

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In less than two weeks since her latest return to Albert Square, Cindy has gatecrashed Lauren's baby shower, threatened to report Kathy to the police for her Christmas Day attack, was the only person present for Lauren's labour and was outed by Ian for causing the explosion in The Queen Vic. But all of that was nothing compared to her actions this week.

On Tuesday, as Kathy and Harvey sealed the end of their affair with a kiss, little did they know that watching from across the street was Cindy. Not just that, but she recorded the whole thing on her mobile.

Using it to blackmail Kathy into handing her over The Albert, Cindy gatecrashes Jimmy's welcome home party at The Vic to announce her news. However the reaction isn't what she expected and feeling cast out once again from the family decides to get her revenge in the most wonderfully EastEnders way..

That's right. In scenes reminiscent to 1994's 'Sharongate', when Grant walked into the pub to play a cassette recording of Sharon confessing to her affair with Phil, Cindy plays the video of Kathy and Harvey kissing - which of course, she hadn't deleted - during his and Jean’s engagement announcement for all to see. Reminding us all why we adore the character of Cindy, and why her return is one of the best decisions outgoing boss Chris Clenshaw ever made.

Then as Cindy and Kathy went head-to-head in hurling insults at one another, Kathy's "You drop your knickers faster than I can crack an egg" had me howling! And of course, no bust up in the Queen Vic would be complete without a good ol' fashioned soap slap and that's exactly what came next.

This week's run of EastEnders episodes had it all. Betrayal, revelations and Cindy at peak cow. Long may it all continue!

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4

MR LOVERMAN

winning two BAFTAs

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On Sunday night, Alan Cumming hosted this year's BAFTA Television Awards and whilst there were many brilliant wins on the night, such as Baby Reindeer, Mr Bates vs the Post Office and Strictly Come Dancing, it was Mr Loverman's double win which pleased me the most.

The 8-part BBC One adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo's novel of the same name launched in October 2024 to a modest 1.1m viewers, and blew me away with its incredibly life-affirming story and outstanding performances. So I was thrilled to see it recognised by the BAFTA juries.

Mr Loverman tells the story of Barrington Jedidiah Walker, Barry to his mates, played by Lennie James who delivers an astonishingly emotional and honest performance of this 74-year-old renowned for his dapper taste and fondness for retro suits. But he's hiding a secret from Carmel, his wife of 50 years, played by the magnificent Sharon D Clarke.

That secret? A passionate affair with his best friend and soulmate, Morris, played by Ariyon Bakare. As Barry faces the final chapter of his life, he has big choices to make that will force his whole family to question their futures.

On Sunday night, it was up for three BAFTAs, Leading Actor, Leading Actress and Supporting Actor, with Lennie James beating David Tennany, Gary Oldman, Martin Freeman, Richard Gadd and Toby Jones to take home the Leading Actor BAFTA and Ariyon Bakare beating Christopher Chung, Damian Lewis, Joanthan Pryce, McKinly Belcher III and Sonny Walker to take home the Supporting Actor BAFTA.

Unfortunately, Sharon D Clarke lost out on a Leading Actress BAFTA to Marisa Abela, who won for her role in Industry. So whilst it would have been wonderfully deserving for Mr Loverman to win a hat-trick of awards, in a category that also included Anna Mxwell Martin, Billie Piper, Lola Petticrew, Monica Dolan, it just proves what a strong category it was. And just to be nominated is an amazing achievement.

I really hope that following this win, millions flock to BBC iPlayer to watch Mr Loverman and give it the viewing numbers it deserves. Honestly, you will not regret it. Astonishing performances from all involved and a story that will sit with you long after watching the final episode.