Ann Montini's Soap Gossip 1/3

Ann MontiniFind out who EastEnders' biggest sex symbol now Nigel's out of the picture and what special gift Lucy Jo took when she left Corrie after killing her dad. Also - what soap's Peter Andre angling to get into?

All the latest, exclusive soap news and gossip from our in-house expert, Ann Montini.

CORONATION STREET

• Lucy Jo Hudson is glad her character, Katy Harris, becomes a killer. She told me that on her final week on the show, she begged bosses to let her go out with a bang. She revealed: "At first, it was suggested that I just go off to university. But I told them I don't want to come back, so let's go out with a bang. I'll go down in Corrie history." She took a rather unique parting gift from the show when she filmed her last scenes - the monkey wrench with which she kills dad Tommy. She said: "I figure if times get hard, I can sell it on eBay. It's as big as Richard Hillman's leather gloves!"
• Don't expect the forthcoming wedding with Deidre and Ken in Coronation Street to go smoothly. I can reveal that actress Anne Kirkbride had a meeting with producers last week, who told her that she is to face yet another dilemma which will see Ken lose it. She told my mole: "I think she may go out and have yet another secret affair - but it's all hush hush so far." Poor Ken, eh?
• Wendi Peters, who plays the worse mum in soap, Cilla Brown, now shops out of hours in a 24-hour supermarket - after the recent storyline where she sold her son's dog to a pal. She told me: "To say the public hate her now, more than ever, is an understatement! At some point in the show, I hope they will show that Cilla does in fact care about her second son, Chesney." Second?! So when do we get to meet the first, Corrie bosses?
• While he may have been killed off in Coronation Street, Thomas Craig, who plays grease monkey Tommy Harris, is keen to land a stint on Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes. He said: "I've always secretly wanted to do it. As I play a mechanic, I think it'll have to be Billy Joel doing Uptown Girl."

Enders' Joel Beckett and Jake Maskell
EASTENDERS

• Nigel Harman's only been gone minutes but already Jake Maskell, who plays Danny Moon, has taken over as the biggest hunk on the block. He gets more fan mail than anyone else on the show and there are plans to build up his part. Fear not, though - Nigel's back as Dennis in May.
• At last! The video shop in Albert Square is losing all those old videos and getting bang up to date with the latest DVDs. My mole said: "People have complained that no one gets videos." What next - a washing machine?
• 'Enders cast members must have written permission to appear in any charity sporting events. It's not that bosses are being a tad cruel but, rather, that they have to take out insurance policies in case stars get injured and are off sick for some time.
• The 20th anniversary EastEnders book, quietly floated into shops, has not proved the big seller bosses hoped for. A mole told me the paperback version will be launched later in the year - with a big party to announce it properly.

EMMERDALE

• The Cruise star Jane Macdonald is hoping to land a part in her favourite show, Emmerdale, by taking acting lessons. Now back in the charts with her album, You Belong To Me, she revealed: "It has to be Emmerdale. I'm a Yorkshire lass through and through. I nearly got in before, as myself, but this time I'd really like to play a character."
• Nick Miles, who plays Jimmy King, told me he loves playing the rich man of the village. He said: "Normally, because of my size and looks, I never get the girl. It's a real bonus to be kissing the wonderful Patsy Kensit daily on the show - and great for the ego too."
• Emmerdale bosses are still unsure about using the show's actual actors for new opener titles. A mole on set told me: "We like the idea but each time a member leaves the show, we have to edit them out. The bigger question is who to put in and who to leave out."
• Former Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, now appearing in Fat Friends, is keen to make a short return to the show that made her famous. She said: "I think a short return would be good for Mandy Dingle. After all, she's not been killed off and will always be part of the Dingle clan. I know fans like the idea and think bosses should have a re-think."

FAMILY AFFAIRS

• New dad-to-be Peter Andre, who shot to fame after appearing on reality TV show I'm A Celebrity, is taking acting lessons with a view to landing a role in a soap. He revealed: "I really like the writing on Five's Family Affairs. I think it's well cast and, above all, has good plots. It would be a good starting point for me to learn on." Well, FA?

NEIGHBOURS

• BBC bosses are furious at leaked reports that they plan to ditch lunchtime favourite Neighbours. A mole told me: "It's simply not true. The show has been with this channel for 20 years, and we're more than happy with the ratings. We're not sure where the rumour started, but Ramsay Street will remain with the BBC for the next two years at least."