Soaps preview - 13 - 17 July

This week, Claire fights for her life in Coronation Street, Phil vows to kill Archie in EastEnders and Viv makes a shock return to Emmerdale. Find out more...

Coronation Street

Hang out the bunting - Claire and Ashley have got an interesting storyline at last!

Yes, after months of dreary non-action, the pair find themselves at the centre of the drama this week after Claire collapses and is rushed to hospital.

In true soap tradition, her collapse comes as she and Ashley are going through a bout of marriage strife. She's so angry when he goes out drinking with friends that she locks the door and he spends the night on Peter's sofa.

When he comes home the next day, she locks him out again and shuts the curtains so that he will stop shouting in the window at her.

However, she suddenly feels ill and keels over - and it's only hours later, when she doesn't turn up for work, that anyone realises that something is wrong.

Lloyd breaks down the door and Claire is rushed away in an ambulance. But is it already too late?

Elsewhere in Weatherfield, Jack becomes suspicious that new love Connie is hiding something when she does her best to stop him seeing where she lives.

When he first suggests that he'd like to see where Connie keeps her pigeons (oo-er!) she swiftly changes the subject. Later in the week when one of his birds goes missing, she dismisses his suggestion that it may have returned to her house - even though that was where she found it several months ago.

However, eventually she gives in and Jack finally gets to see where Connie lives. So, what exactly has she been hiding?

Also this week, Molly is upset when Kevin suggests ending their affair (yawn!) and Neil plots to get Becky in to trouble with the police.

- No more Corrie on Wednesday nights

EastEnders

Has Peggy Mitchell lost her mind or something? Just weeks ago she was wanting her evil husband Archie dead but this week she decides to give him a second chance.

It's no surprise then that Peggy's ever-protective son Phil is horrified at the reunion and, Phil being Phil, decides to dispose of Archie once and for all.

At first Peggy is also wary of Archie's motives, however, when she finds out some unexpected news about his generosity she starts to melt. A few tears later and the pair are locking lips as if that wedding day fiasco had never happened.

When Phil catches the pair kissing, he tells his mother that he's sickened by them and, despite her best efforts, she fails to convince him that Archie has changed.

Phil later pays Archie a visit and tells him that if he doesn't leave he will kill him. When he later gets his hands on a gun, it looks like he will go through with his threat this time...

Meanwhile, Stacey's state of mind appears to be deteriorating at an alarming rate - and only her mum Jean seems to know what's really wrong with her.

Stacey's latest exploits see her tarting herself up in yet another bid to win back Max. Take a hint Stacey - he ain't interested!

Jean recognises many of the symptoms which have blighted her own life in Stacey's behaviour - but will she have the courage to face up to what's happening to her daughter before it's too late?

Also this week, Christian's upset at Syed's marriage proposal and Whitney has a surprise visitor.

Emmerdale

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since Viv was banged up for a crime she didn't commit. Doesn't time fly in soapland? Well, this week she makes an unexpected return when she gets out on parole - but will anyone be pleased to see her?

She could at least have given her husband Bob some advance warning - if she had he might not have spent the night before her release sleeping with new squeeze Gennie.

While that secret is safe - for now - Viv does return to find out that Brenda is her new business partner.

It's not long before she is putting two and two together and assuming that Brenda is also Bob's new sleeping partner - but how will she react when the real truth about what he's been up to comes out?

Elsewhere, the arrival of one of Turner's old friends causes a stir among some of the more mature ladies of the village. Well, let's be honest, talent is a bit thin on the ground.

Eddy Fox is a former biker pal of the retired landlord and Betty, Pearl and Lily are all more than happy to listen to tales about his hell-raising life on the road.

Not surprisingly, killjoy Edna is less than impressed with his lifestyle - so, how will she feel when her sister Lily appears to be taking quite an interest in the newcomer?

Also this week, another new arrival - Michael - wastes no time in making a move on Debbie and Sarah is terrified by Andy's behaviour.

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