'Neighbours' Natasha 'plans plastic surgery'

Neighbours schoolgirl Natasha Williams will continue her rebellious behaviour when she decides that she wants plastic surgery in a forthcoming storyline, a report has revealed.

The troublesome teenager, played by Valentina Novakovic, becomes "obsessed" with improving her appearance as she feels upset and insecure over her father Michael (Sandy Winton) rejecting her in the aftermath of her raunchy photo scandal, according to TV Week.

In scenes which air in Australia next week, Natasha will apparently be seen searching the internet for "cheap nose jobs" before stealing Michael's credit card in order to book herself in for the procedure.

Viewers will then be left to wonder whether Natasha will go through with the idea or whether she can reconcile with her dad before it's too late.

Earlier this year, Novakovic admitted that she would like her character to be "nicer" and realise she "needs to grow up and mature".

Meanwhile, Neighbours bosses recently announced that fans will be introduced to Natasha's long-lost aunt later this year.

'EastEnders' Ronnie "couldn't go further", says Samantha Womack

Former EastEnders star Samantha Womack has said that her character Ronnie Branning left the soap at the right time, claiming that the troubled blonde "couldn't go any further" following her string of dark storylines.

The actress announced her decision to bow out from the BBC drama at the beginning of the year, and viewers recently saw her final scenes as Ronnie was jailed in the climax to the show's tragic baby swap plot.

Other hard-hitting stories featuring Ronnie had included the death of her long-lost daughter Danielle and her disturbing history with evil dad Archie.

Asked by The Observer whether she was glad to leave Ronnie behind, Womack replied: "I wouldn't say I was glad. Ronnie had had her time, she couldn't go any further. She had so much trauma that it wouldn't have been believable to put her through any more, I feel.

"It's a very hard thing to do - you get very comfortable being in regular employment, and I'm a jobbing actor again, and that's quite scary. I feel grateful to have had the experience but I'm glad to be moving in another direction."

Although Womack recently signed up for the stage role of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, the 38-year-old dismissed suggestions that she is seeking a break from television jobs.

"I'm just trying to mix up the characters - the form in which they come is not important," she said. "Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders was so withdrawn and secretive and dark, so Nellie - with her open quality and hick-style delivery - was a challenge I really wanted to take on."

Womack first appeared in the role of Ronnie in the summer of 2007.

Watch Ronnie's memorable EastEnders moments in the video below:

'Neighbours': Natasha's Long-Lost Aunt Set To Cause Scandal!

There's a Neighbours update today over Natasha's long-lost aunt for those who have been wondering what the character will be called.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Freya Stafford had landed the role of Tash's relative and show bosses later released the first picture of the newcomer as well as details of the storyline.

The character's name wasn't released at the time, but it has now been confirmed that she is called Emilia.

As previously reported, Emilia's arrival has been tipped to "expose a myriad of secrets and lies" that will set tongues wagging on Ramsay Street later this year.

Stafford has signed a six-month guest contract with Neighbours and her first episode will air on Australian screens in September.

Watch the latest Neighbours promo currently airing in Australia, focusing on Tash's latest drama:



Steve says: 50 quid she's the missing mum!

Corrie: Too Many Crooks & Baby Snatch Plot Coming!

'Coronation Street' Becky 'To Plot Baby Kidnap'

Coronation Street's troubled Becky McDonald will plot to kidnap Fiz Stape's baby daughter Hope in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed.

The former barmaid starts making her shock plan after striking up a bond with the youngster as they both continue living under the same roof at the Croppers' home in the coming weeks, The Sun claims.

Becky was recently left devastated when her nephew Max was taken into care. She had previouslypurchased the child from half-sister Kylie as her adoption dreams had been crushed and she is unable to have children of her own.

Hope, meanwhile, is living with Roy and Hayley while Fiz awaits trial in prison after being implicated in her husband John's crime spree.

However, when Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) decides that she wants Hope to move to the jail's mother and baby unit, Becky reportedly springs into action and considers fleeing Weatherfield with the baby.

A Coronation Street source told the newspaper: "Becky is baby-mad and is desperate for one. She grows close to Hope and dreams of bringing her up as her own."

The insider added: "Becky isn't thinking straight and believes jail is no place for a baby."

Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky, finishes filming with the soap later this year and her final scenes air in 2012.

Coronation Street boss Phil Collinson has admitted that there have been too many criminals on the soap.

'Too Many Crooks'

The producer of the ITV1 programme, which has recently been criticised over some of its storylines, said that they are going to cut down on crime in the future.

In an interview with OK magazine, he defended actress Michelle Collins who, as Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, has been attacked over her northern accent.

He also responded to criticism over a supposed influx of gay storylines, saying: "I haven't introduced any gay characters."

However, Collinson admitted that there is some room for improvement on the long-running show.

Asked whether there were too many criminals in Coronation Street, he replied: "Maybe I can take that one on the chin. I agree… we have been at the police station and the court room a little bit too much.

"As we move ahead, we will shift away from serial killers and crime storylines."

Recent killers have included psychopath John Stape and murderer Tony Gordon.

Former castmember Johnny Briggs recently said that the soap has become "boring and humourless".

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has dismissed rumours of a ratings crisis at the soap, describing recent press reports as "incorrect."

EastEnders Makes Viewers 'Seasick'!

EastEnders viewers have complained of motion sickness following a particular scene in the soap that featured shaky camera-work.

The episode in question first aired on July 14, and featured Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia), in a discussion about Christian's relationship with Zainab's son Syed (Marc Elliott).

During the short scene, the camera appeared to wobble, with strange camera angles in comparison to normal EastEnders scenes.

Several fans took to BBC's Points of View online forums to comment about the odd scene, with one viewer writing: "Oh, what was with the wobbly camera? Surely, BBC isn't so bad off that it can't afford to buy EastEnders a tripod."

Another viewer added: "Am I the only one who thought the camera angles were bad during the Christian and Zainab scene? The camera was shaking and the angles were just all over the place."

Viewer Marie Marshall, 41, said: "It was really weird. At first I thought my own telly was playing up but then I went to another telly in a different room and it was doing the same thing.

"The picture was shaking so much it made me feel like I was sea-sick. Whoever was holding the camera must have been shaking a lot."

A spokesperson for the soap said that they were aware of complaints made about the scene, but have yet to offer an explanation for what happened, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Watch the scene in question below (one minute, five seconds in):

'EastEnders' To Introduce Another New Moon

EastEnders fans will be introduced to another member of the Moon family later this year as twisted villain Michael Moon meets his long-lost brother, reports have revealed.

Craig Moon, who has Down's Syndrome, will make his first appearance on screen in the autumn when family patriarch Eddie Moon arranges for Michael to meet the sibling he never knew existed, according to The People.

Elliot Rosen, 32, has taken on the role of Craig and is thought to have already filmed his first scenes. Reports suggest that he has been signed as a guest artist for a handful of episodes.

EastEnders bosses are believed to have worked closely with the Down's Syndrome Association while devising the new storyline for the Moon clan.

A Walford source told the newspaper: "It is something they are very proud of. They are determined to continue to raise issues like this."

Meanwhile, praising the soap's decision, a spokesperson for the Down's Syndrome Association commented: "Presenting people with Down's Syndrome living successful lives is always positive."

Michael, played by Steve John Shepherd, was the first of the new Moons to arrive on Albert Square - making his debut last year.

David Essex, Tony Discipline and Matt Lapinskas were later unveiled as other additions to the family, landing the roles of Eddie, Tyler and Anthony respectively.

EastEnders Cliches - Past & Present!

As mentioned in my 'Steve's Soapbox' section on Portsmouth Live TV several weeks ago, here's the full list of viewer defined cliches from 25 years of EastEnders.

Hilarious it truly is!



1. Janine is barred from the Vic at least once a month. Lines like 'Go on, sling yer hook!' and 'Get out you lying little tart!' are essential - if she resists, she must be flung out the doors. Bonus points if she ends up falling, if she does so someone then has to walk past saying 'Just where you belong Janine, in the gutter', before swanning off like they're so much better!

2. In Walford, your 100 times more likely to die or have one of your guests die/get severely injured on the day of your wedding than in any other place. You go from wedding to wedding not even aware of this obvious statistic.

3. Ian Beale will lick his lips in almost every scene he's in, Max Branning will shuffle his feet, Phil Mitchell will deflate at least once, and Ronnie Branning will stare into space like a robotic zombie per episode.

4. References to Pat the prostitute (which happened 100 years ago!) will crop up every so often.

5. Nobody even mentions the astounding similarities between Jodie Gold and Billy's ex Honey!

6. Dot will struggle to say Mr Pappadoppawappanoppalos and call Zainab 'Mrs Masmood' - before telling us she doesn't like to gossip before doing just that and quoting from the bible.

7. Nobody has a washing machine.

8. Everybody only goes to The Vic.

9. Somebody has to die or get married or have a baby at Christmas.

10. Anyone who has a baby in Eastenders will never have to look after them themselves. In fact, they can go to work, drink in The Vic, go to the beauty salon or have a night out at the R&R just as if they were single and childless.

11. There are always mysterious babysitters available to mind these forgotten children at any time of the day and night.

12. You can plan a Christmas wedding in about 2 days and everyone will be able to come.

13. Phil Mitchell will always be able to get you £10,000 at short notice but the minute he needs money himself he usually struggles.

14. When people move out they take all their belongings in a small case.

15. If a couple goes out for dinner they always choose the Argee Bhagee.

16. Each member of the Mitchell family has to mention it on a monthly basis.

17. Men such as Michael and Jack always wear suits even when they're just going to the cafe.

18. The "glamour pusses" such as Tanya and Vanessa don't own a pair of jeans/trainers/tracksuit bottoms.

19. People sit in their work clothes and shoes even in their own house when watching the tv.

20. People don't work or do a few shifts in the pub/launderette a week, yet can afford London rental prices no problem.

21. Heather will wear a headband/smock top/forlorn expression in every scene.

22. Ricky will look dazed and confused and utter "Pat" in a quizzical voice at every opportunity.

23. Any non-drinkers will drink nothing but orange juice - don't even think of asking for a coke/lemonade/tonic water.

24. After a major story has been revealed, the accused person will always have to walk through a massive crowd, with them watch his/her every move.

25. People going to the caff for all their meals, despite living round the corner

26. If you're upset you must go and sit on Aurthur's bench until someone takes pity on you even if it's late at night. An alternative, especially for the yougsters, is the tyre swing.

27. You can look 'everywhere' for someone only to find them in the cafe or Vic

28. The obligatory shouting/slanging match/revelation reveal in the middle of The Vic which leads to the jukebox mysteriously turning itself off

29. R&R is the go to club where a character goes if they want to get very very drunk and make a fool of themselves

30. Nobody ever finishes a drink, they always leave an inch or so in the bottom of the glass when they leave.

31. You never go to Tescos/Morrisons/Asda to do a "big shop" - you instead pay the inflated prices of the minute mart and never buy more or less than two carrier bags full.

32. You can get any job without any kind of formal application. Noone signs a contract and anyone can get hired and fired within minutes.

33. No one needs qualification/experience to get a job.

34. Contracts don't need to be signed during sales and transfers of properties.

35. Doctors handing out medications out to patients out of GP practice.

36. Everyone needs to do at least one shift at Beale's caff.

37. Anyone will be asked to babysit anyone's baby.

38. Most houses have unlimited number of bedrooms.

39. Everyone shops at the minute mart, which seems to stock everything and anything.

40. Giving someone £20 can enable them to pay a month's rent.

41. Most people don't have to work in order to afford living in London.

42. The new doctor will arrive and everyone will praise them for being such a well-respected pillar of the community - but they never realise this doctor will either be a raging nutcase or will end up sleeping with half of the people living in the area within their first 6 months in the job.

43. If you're thinking about anyone, simply look out of your window and they'll be there, and you'll probably make eye contact. The upstairs window of the Vic is particularly good for this.

44. You can leave a total stranger in charge of your market stall.

45. Police will take about 3 years to turn up if there's been a murder or any other serious crime. For lesser crimes they get there within 3 seconds.

46. No matter how skint you are, you will always have money to drink in the vic and eat in the cafe.

From http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1463814