Pick of the Plots: Next week’s soap highlights

A look at the forthcoming storylines in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale next week…

Next week in the village of Emmerdale there are secrets, cervixes and suspicious coma patients…

Sarah’s got baby fever and tunnel vision – and absolutely no intention of telling the Dingles. She’s keeping her fertility plans on the down-low, and by “down-low” we mean she’s actually conning Cain into advancing her wages to fund her secret mission to motherhood. It’s bold. It’s bonkers. It’s very on-brand for a Dingle.

At the clinic, Sarah’s determination is off the charts – despite the doctor raising an eyebrow (and probably her blood pressure) about a few health concerns. Back home, Sarah’s juggling lies like a seasoned circus act. She’s hell-bent on having a baby and keeping it hidden from a family who can barely keep a surprise party quiet.

Next day, with a brave face and nervous energy, Sarah heads back to the clinic. But things take a serious turn when Dr. Knapp casually drops the “inflammation” bombshell. No drama, just potentially serious cervical issues. Sarah, now rattled, pulls her best “I’m totally fine” act at home while silently spiralling. She tries to talk to Cain and Charity, but they’re far too distracted by insert vague village chaos here. So off she sneaks again, to a solo hospital visit where she’s greeted not by joy, but by the terrifying wait for biopsy results. Drama? Absolutely. Anyone noticing? Not a chance.

Also, next week, Victoria’s all hearts and flowers towards John, who’s lapping up the praise – until fate throws in a plot twist called Cathleen. She pops up like a ghost from guilty pasts, assuming John’s heard news about Aidan, the coma patient who knows way too much. She begs him to visit Aidan’s ward, which sends John into a quiet panic spiral so intense you can hear the guilt sweating off him.

Then, just as he thinks he’s dodged a bullet, Aidan opens his eyes. Yes, those eyes. The next day, John finds himself drawn to the bedside like a moth to a very dangerous flame. Is Aidan still in a coma fog, or is he one sharp inhale away from spilling all the secrets?

John’s banking on silence (literally – Aidan can’t talk), and with Harry due home tomorrow, things should be looking up. But Belle – sweet, determined Belle – is starting to tug on a few threads. And when one thread goes, the whole cardigan of lies could unravel…

Emmerdale, Monday to Friday on ITV1 and STV. Also available on ITVX and the STV Player.

Next week’s Weatherfield forecast: 90% chance of secrets, stormy confrontations, and the occasional flying insult.

It all kicks off when Bernie catches Brody doing his best five-finger discount routine in broad daylight. Enter Kit, who gives chase like he’s in an action movie – minus the budget. Meanwhile, Kit and Mick lock horns again (seriously, lads, get a group chat), and in the heat of the moment, Kit drops a bombshell: Lou might not be the ride-or-die Mick thinks she is.

Oblivious to the chaos, Sarah’s at the Bistro booking a romantic dinner for Kit’s birthday, picturing candles and canapés – not emotional explosions. Elsewhere, Mick is stewing in a rage casserole and decides it’s time to confront Lou. Let’s just say it doesn’t end with a hug. When Lou mysteriously goes off-grid, Sean and Gemma start to panic – because when Mick’s in a mood, walls tremble. Then, Sean walks into the station and confesses he lied in his original statement. He has to come clean to the cops what we all knew – Mick bashed him and left him for dead.

Meanwhile, Lou’s nursing a head wound and doing her best Florence Nightingale impression while begging Mick to come home and use his words. But Mick, now on full meltdown mode, jumps in his van and tears off. Kit tries calling him, but Mick screams that everything is Kit’s fault before hanging up like a man possessed. One question lingers: is Lou safe? And is Kit next on Mick’s list?

Also next week… tragedy’s got PC Tinker’s name on it. Craig starts his CID placement positively glowing – shadowing Kit and lining up a hot internet date later. But reality hits harder than Kit’s disdainful silence. Feeling more invisible than a ghost at a blackout, Craig vents to Lisa, who delivers the pep talk of the year: prove him wrong.

Craig’s chance comes when he’s called to a disturbance. Armed with determination, a clipboard, and a faint air of desperation, he rushes off to impress. But will Craig rise to the occasion and become Walford’s unlikeliest hero? Or is fate about to swipe left on his entire day?

Coronation Street, Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV1 and STV. Also available on ITVX and the STV Player.

Lauren’s week is a cocktail of chaos with a twist of heartbreak. Next week in Walford she’s back on the Square with little Jimmy in tow, trying to play happy families while quietly crumbling inside. Peter’s doing his best to be supportive – or at least not visibly panicking – as he frets over her past battles with addiction. Things take a sharp turn when Cindy swoops in with a favour: get Peter to forgive and forget. Naturally, this does nothing for Lauren’s confidence as a mum.

Over at Slater HQ, Kat’s donned her boss boots and is hosting a full-on kitchen summit with Alfie, Eve and Suki. The topic? Childcare logistics and the small matter of Stacey’s worrying behaviour.

Kat suggests Stacey might need a professional – which is code for “we’re out of our depth here.” Just as they’re drawing up a crisis plan, Stacey appears like a ghost with WiFi, only to brush them all off with Olympic-level denial. The final gut-punch? Lily’s heartbreaking realisation that Mum isn’t coming out of her room anytime soon. Cue the tears.

Back to Lauren, who shares a few raw, real chats with Stacey and Lily – like a support group without the biscuits. Eventually, she and Peter have a tender moment. Tears may be shed. Hope may be rekindled. Lauren clings to the belief that maybe, just maybe, everything’s going to be okay… if the Square lets it be.

EastEnders, BBC One, Monday to Thursday. Also available on the iPlayer