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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Soaps 20 years ago: Little Mo vs Trevor in EastEnders and Corrie paternity bombshell

There's big scenes ahead on EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street in April 2022, from exits and deaths, to secrets and lies coming to light.

But the same soaps were just as chaotic and dramatic this time 20 years ago, back in April 2002.

Two decades ago saw a paternity bombshell in Corrie - just as one is airing on the same ITV show now.

Over in Emmerdale there was a heartbreaking split for two loved villagers, one of which is still in the village 20 years on, while another late character will be remembered next week.

As for EastEnders, there was a huge exit in store after a fireball death, while Little Mo was facing her abusive husband Trevor Morgan in court, following their dramatic showdown months earlier.

Here's a look back at all three soaps, and their biggest storylines in April 2002...

(ITV/PA/BBC)

EastEnders

In Walford, Tamzin Outhwaite's character Mel Owen faced a shock following the dramatic death of her husband Steve Owen (BBC)

In Walford, Tamzin Outhwaite's character Mel Owen faced a shock following the dramatic death of her husband Steve Owen, in a car explosion the month before.

Mel was in turmoil as she realised she was pregnant, and initially planned to have an abortion - worrying the baby would be evil like Steve.

She ended up facing prison after business forms she signed for Steve, not realising what they were, linked her back to his drug crimes.

Phil found out she was pregnant and bailed her out with £30,000 - only for Mel to find out Lisa had shot Phil, not Steve as she had believed.

Feeling betrayed, the pregnant character fled Walford and never paid Phil the money back - while she would later make a return with son Hunter, before their shock deaths in 2019.

Elsewhere, Sharon Watts made her return after the death and funeral of her adoptive mother Angie Watts.

Little Mo faced trial over her deadly attack on her abusive husband Trevor (BBC)

One of the biggest moments of this month in 2022, was Little Mo facing trial over her deadly attack on her abusive husband Trevor.

Fans may recall after years of violent abuse, Mo had enough and hit him over the head with an iron, before leaving him to die.

In the fallout Mo was arrested and in April 2022, she faced the plea hearing for her charges - before she took to the stand in front of a jury.

In a shocking twist, despite Mo's revelations about him abusing her, the jury found her guilty of attempted murder.

Emmerdale

In the Dales, there was a devastating split for one long-serving couple (ITV)

In the Dales, there was a devastating split for one long-serving couple.

Bernice Blackstock declared her marriage to Ashley Thomas was over for good, shortly after the birth of their daughter Gabby.

Ashley and Bernice had actually not long reconciled, after an initial split due to her affair with Carlos, the boyfriend of her sister Nicola.

There was even questions over baby Gabby's paternity, but Ashley was later revealed to be her dad.

Bernice Blackstock declared her marriage to Ashley Thomas was over for good (Yorkshire Television)

So in 2002, Ashley was still struggling to move on from the betrayal, and trust Bernice - especially when he found out she was flirting with strangers on a night out.

Bernice decided she couldn't be with him because he didn't trust her, and she was having doubts too, leading to her ending their marriage.

Fast-forward 20 years, Gabby is now a mother herself and is planning her baby son Thomas' christening, while Bernice is also in the village.

Sadly, Ashley died in 2017 after being diagnosed with early onset vascular dementia two years prior.

Coronation Street

Maxine did not know who the father of her baby was between husband Ashley and one-night stand Matt (Press Association)

On the Cobbles, Maxine Peacock went into labour two months prematurely after a stressful showdown.

Maxine did not know who the father of her baby was between husband Ashley and one-night stand Matt.

The moment Ashley found out of the betrayal and the paternity bombshell led to a showdown, only for Maxine to go into labour.

She welcomed baby Joshua, but was left devastated when Ashley declared he could not be there for her or the baby, while Matt was determined to find out the truth.

Maxine Peacock went into labour two months prematurely after a stressful showdown (PA)

Later in the month, Ashley decided he didn't need to take a DNA test and he wanted to raise Joshua as his own son, reuniting with Maxine.

Tragically, Maxine died the following January after being murdered by serial killer Richard Hillman.

Ashley also died on the soap, after being trapped and killed in the restaurant collapse during the tram crash in 2010.

Joshua moved away with his stepmother Claire, Ashley's second wife, and his brother Freddie.

Meanwhile back in 2002, Dev was dumped by Geena after she found out he'd slept with Deirdre Barlow, and Sally was struggling with money - while Richard was causing trouble for the Platts, ahead of his killer actions.

Got any theories or thoughts on the current storylines? Let us know in the comments section below

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV, while EastEnders airs at the same time on BBC One on Mondays to Thursdays.

Corrie airs straight after Emmerdale at 8pm on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays.

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