Gavin spent eight years working on the two soaps, starting at Emmerdale in 2002 as the shows senior publicist before switching to Coronation Street in 2005 where he progressed to assistant producer. Gavin returned to Emmerdale in 2009 as Series Producer, creating exciting new characters and storylines that resulted in a massive upsurge in viewers.

Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) will captain the Emmerdale team, he says of Gavin;

“Gavin Blyth was an inspirational and passionate producer. But not only that, he was a fantastic man, father, mentor, and friend who was like a brother to me and so many others. He’s left a giant hole at Emmerdale so we want to remember Gavin by having a match against the lads from Coronation Street which should be a great day celebrating his life, and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The ground can hold 3,000 people and we want every seat filled to cheer us on, and to help a fantastic charity that does so much to help people affected by cancer. Naturally, Emmerdale is going to win!”

Jamie Strachan, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in Leeds said: “Emmerdale has been a fantastic Macmillan supporter for a number of years, but Danny has done a superb job organising this match in memory of Gavin. He meant so much to so many and it’s a way for cast and crew of Emmerdale and Coronation Street to honour his memory whilst raising money for Macmillan to ensure we can help more people living with or affected by cancer.”

The Gavin Blyth Memorial Cup charity football match kicks off at 1pm at the Manchester Regional Sprorts Arena on Saturday February 19th.

Tickets, payable at the gate, are priced £8 for adults and £4 for children or a family ticket (two adults and two children) available for £20 with all proceeds going to Macmillan. Turnstiles will open at 12noon ahead of a 1pm kick off. Fans will have the opportunity to get autographs and photographs with their favourite cast members after the game.

The teams:

Emmerdale
Danny Miller (Captain) – Aaron Livesy
Lyndon Ogbourne – Nathan Wylde
Adam Thomas – Adam Barton
James Thornton – John Barton
James Sutton – Ryan Lamb
James Hooton – Sam Dingle
Kelvin Fletcher – Andy Sugden
Tony Audenshaw – Bob Hope
Marc Silcock – Jackson Walsh
Mark Charnock – Marlon Dingle
Tom Lister – Carl King
Dominic Brunt – Paddy Kirk
Jeff Hordley – Cain Dingle

Coronation Street
Ryan Thomas (Captain) – Jason Grimshaw
Jack P Shepherd – David Platt
Alan Halsall – Tyrone Dobbs
Michael le Vell – Kevin Webster
Sam Aston – Chesney Battersby-Brown
Steven Arnold – Ashley Peacock
Andrew Whyment – Kirk Sutherland
Ben Price – Nick Tilsley
Graeme Hawley – John Stape

Venue:
The Manchester Regional Sports Arena,
Rowsley Street,
Manchester,
M11 3FF
About Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.

Visit the Macmillan site for more information.

kim thomson as faye lamb

Kim Thomson says she will leave the cast of Emmerdale when her contract expires shortly, claiming that she has grown tired of living so far away from her home in London.

The actress who plays Faye Lamb in the Yorkshire Dales based soap says that she will be sad to leave Emmerdale after two years working with the cast and crew, but misses her family and friends in London and will be glad to settle back into a normal life there.

Since first appearing on the show in early 2009 Thomson spends all week in Yorkshire and with travelling to and fro between the set and her home at weekends she barely manages to get 24 hours a week to spend in London.

While she is reluctant to give any details about her on screen exit from the soap, Thomson told Take it Easy magazine that in traditional Emmerdale style she expects it will be dramatic.

She added that she had enjoyed her time on Emmerdale, “They’re a lovely crowd, great crew and actors and it’s been a pleasure working with them.”

In her role as Faye Lamb she has also enjoyed being able to ‘go around slapping other women’ and says “There was a lot of slapping. I’ve enjoyed being slappee and slapper!”

As well as the extra long special episodes that are wheeled out every now and then, normally invented for when audience figures maybe flagging, there are also regular ‘two parters’ where the episode continues after the next programme or whatever.

Frankly it is difficult to fit anymore soap viewing in to the day, but none the less every year we are treated to a DVD special or two, often filmed away from the set, on location in places like Las Vegas for instance.

I have made the mistake in the past of buying these special DVDs as a stocking filler for my wife, but the fact is they are only ever watched the once before being confined to collect dust on the book shelf. So the idea of being able to rent TV specials without having to leave the house is an attractive one.

That is what they do at LoveFilm, a service that allows you to choose whether you want to buy or rent the latest dvd releases and games from their massive online choice and have them delivered to your door.

All the latest must have games for all formats are listed online alongside the latest and greatest blockbuster movies, as well as a liberal dose of compilations and special one off shows from the world of television.

Cult series like Lost, Heroes, Sopranos and Doctor Who rub covers with not the best of Peep Show and Midsomers Murders and for the soapaholic,  alongside Loose Women in New York – Let Loose in the City, there are the Soap Specials.

A couple that caught my eye, Coronation Street – A Knight’s Tale and Emmerdale – The Dingles – For Richer For Poorer.

I was drawn to the Corrie DVD by the treat of seeing the Street cast offs Curly Watts and Reg Holdsworth reunited. The very idea that Curly is now a successful businessman with a chain of hotels under his belt is amusing enough, but when he gives Reg a chance to prove himself by hosting a Medieval Banquet at Tatlock Towers we know we are in for some big laughs.

The Dingles promises an exclusive never to be broadcast on TV special that features the down on their luck family possibly winning the lottery, the film follows two story lines showing different outcomes, so you will have to see it for yourself!

Emmerdale

Natalie J Robb who plays the part of Moira Barton in Emmerdale has revealed that she has enlisted the help of a personal trainer in a bid to lose weight for her role as mother of drug addicted Holly in the popular soap.

The 35 year old believes that adrop in weight will add a bit more reality to the her part as the mother at her wits end trying to come to terms with her daughters drug addiction and is determined to lose a stone before the end of the year.

In this weeks Emmerdale we will witness a stressed mother who is unable to see her child going through withdrawal from heroin and actually goes out to buy drugs for her daughter in the shockingly realistic storyline.

Normally strong willed, Moira appears defeated by the situation that she finds herself in, and her act is purely out of desperation at seeing her child Holly in this state.

Natash Wylde (Amanda Donohoe) leaving the Dales

Following the sensational guilty verdict that sent Ryan Lamb down for a murder he did not commit in Emmerdale last night, things take a turn for the worse for the real killer, his step mother Natasha Wylde in tonight’s episode.

Unaware that her real son Nathan Wylde had been kidnapped by Cain Dingle and was being held tied and gagged in a barn during the last day of the trial, Natasha arrives home to be confronted by Dingle who gives her an ultimatum.

Cain Dingle is not aware that Natasha is the real killer, instead he is convinced that Nathan murdered his father and the pair set up Cain’s friend and employee Ryan.

Although Nathan is not guilty of committing the crime, it was his idea to set up his half brother for the murder having found out his mothers dirty little secret.

So what will happen next? Will Natasha try to save herself by turning her son Nathan in to the police, come clean and own up to the crime herself or will she go on the run?

One thing for sure is that both Natasha and Nathan will be leaving the series soon, Amanda Donohoe revealed last week that she would be leaving the soap after playing the character Natasha Wylde for the last two years, while Lyndon Ogbourne (Nathan Wylde) said in August that he would be leaving soon.

Ben Freeman as Scott Windsor

Ben Freeman who played the part of Scott Windsor in Emmerdale from 1993-1996 has married the Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Biddall who played the part of Jessica Harris from 2005-2008.

The couple have been dating since January 2009 and became engaged at Christmas following their whirlwind romance.  They married at the Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe on Friday with the Hollyoaks actress Zoe Lister acting as a bridesmaid for the pair.

As well as living together, the couple have also been working together in a play at the Cheshire Theatre and will not be taking their honeymoon until the play finishes.

Inside Soap Awards 2010

The nominations for the 2010 Inside Soap Awards sponsored by Littlewoods.com have been made and now it is up to you to vote for your own particular soap favourites and special moments from the last twelve months.

Once again the UK soaps have thrown up some extraordinary story-lines, of particular note Corrie’s Tony Gordon blowing up Underworld, Jan Slater moved to tears when Eastenders Stacey Branning gave birth to baby Lily, Emmerdale Natasha Wylde shooting her husband Mark or how about Hollyoaks Sarah Barnes’ ill fated parachute jump.

Inside Soap magazine has made a short list of the nominations for this years awards and now it is up to you to decide who should go home with the prizes.

There are to ways to cast your votes, the simplest way is to visit the Inside Soap website and follow the instructions, alternatively you can vote by post, by picking up the current Inside Soap magazine.

WIN A VIP TRIP TO THE INSIDE SOAP AWARDS!
Everyone who votes in the 2010 Inside Soap Awards – be it on the web or by post – is eligible to be entered into a prize draw to win a VIP trip for two to the hottest awards show in town. The prize includes transport to London and a night in a top hotel. Readers need to make sure they enter their details at the end of the form.

The 2010 Inside Soap awards take place in London on Monday 27th September 2010

Inside Soap Awards  – Nominations 2010:

Best soap – Sponsored by Littlewoods.com
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks

Best Actor
Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow, Corrie)
Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald, Corrie)
Gray O’Brien (Tony Gordon, Corrie)
Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed, EastEnders)
Don Gilet (Lucas Johnson, EastEnders)
Scott Maslen (Jack Branning, EastEnders)
Dominic Brunt (Paddy Kirk, Emmerdale)
Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle, Emmerdale)
Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy, Emmerdale)
Ashley Taylor Dawson (Darren Osborne, Hollyoaks)
Kieron Richardson (Ste Hay, Hollyoaks)
Glen Wallace (Malachy Fisher, Hollyoaks)

Best Actress
Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster, Corrie)
Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald, Corrie)
Alison King (Carla Connor, Corrie)
Diane Parish (Denise Johnson, EastEnders)
Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning, EastEnders)
Nina Wadia (Zainab Masood, EastEnders)
Emma Atkins (Charity Tate, Emmerdale)
Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel Thomas, Emmerdale)
Amanda Donohoe (Natasha Wylde, Emmerdale)
Claire Cooper (Jacqui McQueen, Hollyoaks)
Gemma Merna (Carmel Valentine, Hollyoaks)
Carley Stenson (Steph Cunningham, Hollyoaks)

Best Young Actor
Alex Bain (Simon Barlow, Corrie)
Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow, Corrie)
Lorna Fitzgerald (Abi Branning, EastEnders)
Maisie Smith (Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders)
Oscar Lloyd (Will Wylde, Emmerdale)
Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale)
Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks)
Lydia Waters (Holly Hutchinson, Hollyoaks)

Best Newcomer
Cherylee Houston (Izzy Armstrong, Corrie)
Holly Quin-Ankrah (Cheryl Gray, Corrie)
Zoe Lucker (Vanessa Gold, EastEnders)
Ricky Norwood (Arthur ‘Fatboy’ Chubb, EastEnders)
Natalie J Robb (Moira Barton, Emmerdale)
Marc Silcock (Jackson Walsh, Emmerdale)
Dean Aspen (Duncan Smith, Hollyoaks)
Kris Deedigan (Des Townsend, Hollyoaks)

Funniest Performance
Patti Clare (Mary Taylor, Corrie)
Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor, Corrie)
Himesh Patel (Tamwar Masood, EastEnders)
Nina Wadia (Zainab Masood, EastEnders)
Dominic Brunt (Paddy Kirk, Emmerdale)
Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale)
Ashley Taylor Dawson (Darren Osborne, Hollyoaks)
Bronagh Waugh (Cheryl Brady, Hollyoaks)

Sexiest Male
Keith Duffy (Ciaran McCarthy, Corrie)
Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw, Corrie)
Scott Maslen (Jack Branning, EastEnders)
Neil McDermott (Ryan Malloy, EastEnders)
Rik Makarem (Nikhil Sharma, Emmerdale)
Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy, Emmerdale)
Ashley Taylor Dawson (Darren Osborne, Hollyoaks)
Anthony Quinlan (Gilly Roach, Hollyoaks)

Sexiest Female - Sponsored by Littlewoods.com
Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre, Corrie)
Alison King (Carla Connor, Corrie)
Zoe Lucker (Vanessa Gold, EastEnders)
-Samantha Womack (Ronnie Mitchell, EastEnders)
Alice Coulthard (Maisie Wylde, Emmerdale)
Suzanne Shaw (Eve Jenson, Emmerdale)
Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes Fisher, Hollyoaks)
Carley Stenson (Steph Cunningham, Hollyoaks)

Best Exit
Tony Gordon (Gray O’Brien, Corrie)
Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale, Corrie)
Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning, EastEnders)
Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell, EastEnders)
Maxwell Caulfield (Mark Wylde, Emmerdale)
Sian Reeves (Sally Spode, Emmerdale)
Loui Batley (Sarah Barnes, Hollyoaks)
Ricky Whittle (Calvin Valentine, Hollyoaks)

Best Wedding
Steve McDonald & Becky Granger (Corrie)
John Stape & Fiz Brown (Corrie)
Ricky Butcher & Bianca Jackson (EastEnders)
Syed Masood & Amira Shah (EastEnders)
Jimmy King & Nicola De Souza (Emmerdale)
Charity Tate & Michael Conway (Emmerdale)
Tony Hutchinson & Cindy Cunningham (Hollyoaks)
Calvin & Carmel Valentine (Hollyoaks)

Best Dramatic Performance
Alison King (Carla Connor) –  Tony Gordon holds the factory hostage (Corrie)
Helen Worth (Gail McIntyre) – Joe McIntyre’s death (Corrie)
Don Gilet (Lucas Johnson) – Lucas murders Owen Turner on his wedding day (EastEnders)
Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning) – Stacey is sectioned (EastEnders)
Amanda Donohoe (Natasha Wylde) – Mark Wylde’s murder (Emmerdale)
Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) – Aaron beats up Paddy (Emmerdale)
Carley Stenson (Steph Cunningham) – Steph’s cancer (Hollyoaks)
Stephanie Waring (Cindy Hutchinson) – Little Holly’s disappearance (Hollyoaks)

Best Stunt
Tony Gordon holds the Underworld factory hostage (Corrie)
Joe McIntyre accidentally kills himself (Corrie)
Bradley Branning’s death (EastEnders)
Home Farm shop crash (Emmerdale)
Laurel Thomas trapped in the church fire (Emmerdale)
Josh Ashworth’s car crash (Hollyoaks)
Sarah Barnes’ parachute death (Hollyoaks)

Best Drama
The Bill
Casualty
Holby City
Waterloo Road

Best Daytime Soap
Doctors
Home and Away
Neighbours

Best Daytime Star
Donnaleigh Bailey (Michelle Corrigan, Doctors)
Matthew Chambers (Daniel Granger, Doctors)
Selina Chilton (Ruth Pearce, Doctors)
Adrian Lewis Morgan (Jimmi Clay, Doctors)
Esther Anderson (Charlie Buckton, Home and Away
Luke Jacobz (Angelo Rosetta, Home and Away)
Todd Lasance (Aden Jefferies, Home and Away)
Ada Nicodemou (Leah Patterson-Baker, Home and Away)
Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson, Neighbours)
Ryan Moloney (Jarrod ‘Toadie’ Rebecchi, Neighbours)
Kym Valentine (Libby Kennedy, Neighbours)
Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy, Neighbours)

Amanda Donohoe

Amanda Donohoe who plays the part of Natasha Wylde in the ITV soap opera ‘Emmerdale’ is leaving the show after almost two years.

The 48-year-old actress initially only joined the soap under a year’s contract but has put down her extended term to the fantastic cast, crew and producers.

The actress will film her final episodes later this year as a climax to her current storyline surrounding the murder of her late husband whom she killed and buried in the woods.

It was announced earlier in the year that her on screen daughter Alice Coulthard who plays the part of Maisie will also be leaving the show this year.

Emmerdale

The 17-year-old son of Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan, has landed a role as a college student in the popular ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

Jake Roche is to become a potential boyfriend of Hannah Barton played by Grace Cassidy in the programme as he follows in the footsteps of his dad who played the part of Alfie Moon in the BBC’s Eastenders.

Jake’s character Isaac will appear on our screens from August and will be part of the show for at least the next few months.

Jake along with his brother Shane are also trying to make their name on the music scene after supporting their mother and aunts on their recent concert tour with their cover versions of popular pop songs.

Sheree Murphy

Former Emmerdale actress and current Hollyoaks star Sheree Murphy was involved in a car accident in Manchester yesterday.

The actress who is married to footballer Harry Kewell, suffered whiplash in the incident and was said to have been very shaken up and frightened after the accident.

Murphy’s husband rushed to be at her side while her £180,000 Bentley was at the roadside waiting for a breakdown truck to arrive.

The 34-year-old is currently playing the part of Eva, the long lost mother of Anita Roy after formerly playing the role of Trisha Dingle in Emmerdale.