TALKING POINTS | Strictly Come Dancing, Brookside, Waterloo Road and EastEnders

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

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

From Strictly Come Dancing's class of 2025 to a trailer for the mother of all EastEnders reunions and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...

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1

STRICTLY COME DANCING

2025 line-up revealed

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Usually the BBC like to stretch out their Strictly Come Dancing celeb reveals as much as they can, often with one, sometimes two, reveals a day. However this year, from the four announcements on Monday to the three in quick succession on Friday morning, this year's full line-up was released in what feels like record time. And it's fair to say that people have opinions.

Amongst those taking part are actors Balvinder Sopal who plays Suki in EastEnders, Stefan Dennis who plays Paul in Neighbours, Kristian Nairn who as well as being a DJ played Hodor in Game of Thrones, and Alex Kingston who has starred in a number of hit shows including Doctor Who.

Despite a supposed ban in previous years on reality TV stars taking part in the show, the success of contestants such as Tasha Ghourri, who finished runner-up last year, has meant this year's line-up includes the largest number of stars who found fame on reality television to date.

Taking part are Love Island's Dani Dyer, Geordie Shore and I'm A Celeb's Vicky Pattison, Drag Race UK runner-up La Voix and former candidate on The Apprentice Tom Skinner, whose signing has caused quite the stir with many, following his recent meeting with JD Vance and political views online.

Also no stranger to television are Los Angeles Correspondent for Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, Ross King and Gladiators favourite Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka Nitro, who follows in the footsteps of Montell Jordan aka Fire who took part last year, and was the first celebrity announced this year, having taken part in last year's Christmas Day special.

Sports fans have three familiar faces to cheer on, with former professional footballer and football manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and legendary Lioness Karen Carney all confirmed to be taking part.

Aside from the usual "Who?" comments, one of the most positive reactions I've seen online is to YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke who follows in the footsteps of other internet celebrities who have done well on the show, such as Saffron Barker and Joe Sugg, who was a runner-up in 2018.

One of this year's most exciting signings also happens to be a Strictly first, as model, actor and influencer Ellie Goldstein becomes the first celebrity with Down syndrome to take part.

Is it the strongest line-up ever with some really big names? No. I think what makes me feel that this year more than any other, is that aside from the negative headlines surrounding the show in the last year or two, it's that so many brilliant names were rumoured in the press, and they rarely get it so wrong.

Names such as Angellica Bell, Delta Goodrem, Sir Mo Farah, Natalie Imbruglia, Stacey Solomon and even Tom Parker-Bowles were heavily rumoured, but never materialised. Could it be that discussions fell through in the wake of recent allegations against the show, or were the press just stabbing in the dark and getting it wrong?

That being said, and I've always said this when it comes to Strictly, as opposed to other shows, how well-known the celebs are doesn't really matter, it's all about how well they perform when they take to the dance floor.

Some of my favourite celebs ever have included many I knew nothing about before, including 2022 champion Hamza Yusuf. So regardless of my initial reaction, of course I'll still be watchingm and perhaps bookers know this, which is why they haven't exactly pulled out all the stops. It is always nice to see an A-lister or two taking part though.

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2

BROOKSIDE

returning for a special crossover episode with Hollyoaks

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Brookside was Channel 4's first soap, launching in 1982 and running until 2003, and paved the way for its natural successor, Hollyoaks, which came along in 1995 and as it celebrates its 30th anniversary in October, Channel 4 has come up with the PERFECT way to honour such a milestone.

On Saturday morning, Channel 4 confirmed that Brookside will return to our screens in October as part of a historic crossover with Hollyoaks as iconic, heritage Brookside characters will return to honour their creator Sir Phil Redmond.

With so many ex-Brookie stars (as it was affectionally known) having either starred in or currently starring in Hollyoaks, such as Alex Fletcher and Louis Emerick who play Diane and Mick having previously played Jaqui Dixon and Mick Johnson, I can't wait to see how they tackle that and hope they have some fun with it!

Hollyoaks still films on part of Brookside's former set today and and filming for this special crossover episode will take place in September, with exceptional permission granted by the owner of the close and the Liverpool Film Office, as the former set and production offices, as the unadopted road in West Derby is now home to residents.

Residents have been invited to share lunch with the cast and the crew from Lime Pictures and it will be the first time that Brookside Close has been on air, since it ended in with Jimmy Corkhill, played by the late Dean Sullivan, daubing a ‘d’ onto the sign, leaving it as ‘Brookside Closed’ before driving out of the cul-de-sac.

Find out more about the upcoming crossover episode, here.

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3

WATERLOO ROAD

Subheading

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Since returning in 2023, following an eight-year hiatus, Waterloo Road's revival has been a huge success for the BBC, becoming one of iPlayer's top performing titles with those under 35 so it's no surprise that it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

With Series 16 airing in September on BBC One, and Series 17 already filmed, this week the BBC confrmed that Waterloo Road will return for two further series, Series 18 and 19, with filming taking place in Greater Manchester later this year.

So it's no surprise that this week it was confirmed that two further eight-part series have been commissioned, taking the new episode total to 70.

Waterloo Road is known for its sensitive portrayal of everyday issues affecting young people, families, schools and their staff, punctuated by humour and heart. Since its return, the series has explored storylines such as the cost-of-living crisis, coercive control, neurodivergence, work-place politics, family drama, grief, and young love.

Since its return, Waterloo Road has also welcomed back original cast members Angela Griffin, Katie Griffiths, Chelsee Healey, Lauren Drummond and Jason Merrells who will also reaturn as a full time cast member in the new series next month. The new series will also see the arrival of Jon Richardson as the school’s new media studies teacher.

Waterloo Road was also a big winnner at last year's I Talk Telly Awards, with wins for Best Returning Drama and Best Breakthrough for Tillie Amartey.

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4

KAT & ZOE'S REUNION

being teased in epic trailer for EastEnders

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Back in June, EastEnders fans like myself were treated to the surprise return of Michelle Ryan as Zoe Slater, after 20 years away. But despite both Kat and Zoe being in Stacey flat at the same time, they didn't meet, until now... sort of.

After Zoe ran off to Barcelona, now wanting to face her mother, Alfie soon went to look after her, before returning without Zoe. Despite leaving an incriminating voicemail that Kat hadn't listened to before her phone was stolen, Alfie is relieved to discover that Stacey has made Kat believe that he had been with Hayley and his daughter Cherry.

But how much longer can the truth be contained? Well, if an epic 'Mother of all Reunions' trailer that dropped on Friday, is anything to go by, then the answer is not much longer.

Reminiscent of some of the classic trailers EastEnders were known for, the 35-second trailer sees Kat and Zoe come face-to-face for the first time in two decades.

When posted on Instagram, the caption read "Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) returns to Albert Square with 20 years of deep-rooted resentment towards her mum Kat (Jessie Wallace), fractured family relationships, and siblings she has never met."

The trailer begins with the sun shining and Kat in a good mood sticking on her lippy and waving to the residents, in complete contrast to Zoe who's sat in the back of a cab, rain pouring outside and making her return to Walford.

However, it's not long before Kat's mood changes as she comes face-to-face with Zoe, in almost the same spot on which they both stood all those years ago when Zoe screamed "You can't tell me what to do, you ain't my muvva!" only for Kat to scream back "Yes I am!"

And whilst no date has been given yet for their explosive reunion, it's said to be soon and if I wasn't excited before (I was), after seeing that epic trailer, I am now.

Oh, and as if all that wasn't exciting enough, the trailer also rather neatly confirms the return of Letitia Dean as Sharon, who hasn't been seen on screen since the end of March, and is said to be visiting Michelle in Australia.