'EastEnders' cancer plot is a responsibility, says Jo Joyner

EastEnders star Jo Joyner has pledged her commitment to ensuring that her cervical cancer storyline is as "honest and true to life" as possible.

The actress's character Tanya Jessop will be diagnosed with the illness later this month. Tanya's new plot begins next week when she learns that she has abnormal smear test results.

EastEnders bosses officially announced the storyline in June, confirming that the show had worked closely with various experts and charities including Macmillan Cancer Support for research purposes.

Meanwhile, speaking to All About Soap about how she has personally researched the plot, Joyner commented: "I've talked to a lot of survivors of cervical cancer through a charity called Jo's Trust - the name's just a coincidence! They also have a great website, which is very informative and has helped me a lot.

"It's a privilege to be given any sort of serious storyline and a real responsibility. I'm going to make it as honest and true to life as I possibly can."

Tanya receives the worrying news about her smear test results just as she is preparing to tell husband Greg (Stefan Booth) that she wants to be with her ex Max Branning (Jake Wood).

Asked whether it makes Tanya question who she wants to be with all over again, Joyner replied: "Definitely. She remembers her mum looking at her dad with pity [when he was ill] and she'd hate that happening to her. She has some serious thinking to do about her future now."

Soap Star Look-e-Likees

See below the hilarious soap star look-e-likees as mentioned on 'Steve's Soapbox' on www.portsmouthlive.tv last Friday.

'The Only Way Is Essex' to air for majority of 2012?

The Only Way Is Essex could reportedly broadcast for the majority of 2012 if plans to increase the show's run get the go-ahead.

The BAFTA-winning ITV2 series has so far comprised of two 12-episode runs, with a third of the same length due to air later this year.

However, The Sun claims that bosses now believe that the programme - which follows the lives of Essex residents including Amy Childs, Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger - could follow TV dramas such as Holby City and Casualty by being shown for up to 48 weeks of the year.

New cast members will apparently be brought in to ensure that there is enough going on to sustain the increased run, which could begin in the New Year.

"Everyone is still following their bust-ups and romances anyway so it feels like the cameras should still be there to capture everything," a source claimed.

"The gang would have to be up for it and a deal has to be struck with the producers. But the expectation is that the stars would all want to do it."

The Only Way Is Essex will be shown across Europe after creators Lime Pictures sold the show to a number of foreign broadcasters.

'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."