23 soap storylines that stopped the nation in its tracks – and what happened next

The best soap plots don't just shock for shock's sake either– they resonate because they reflect something true about society, or because they push the boundaries of what’s possible in serial drama.

Here, we look back at some of the most unforgettable soap storylines from Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Neighbours, Home and Away, Doctors and Hollyoaks, where each one brought the viewing public to a standstill – and their aftermaths were just as dramatic.

1. EastEnders: Den serves Angie divorce papers

The Christmas Day episode in 1986, where Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) handed Angie (Anita Dobson) divorce papers, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic soap moments ever. Over 30 million viewers tuned in to see Den’s cold "Happy Christmas, Ange" as he exposed her lies about a terminal illness. The storyline didn’t just shock – it set the gold standard for festive soap drama and made EastEnders' Christmas episodes a national event. The fallout saw Angie spiral further, while Den cemented his status as a legendary soap villain.

2. Coronation Street: Aidan Connor's suicide

Coronation Street tackled the difficult subject of male suicide with the tragic death of Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward). The aftermath of the storyline, which was praised for its sensitive handling, saw the characters – and the nation – grappling with grief and the urgent need to talk about men’s mental health. It was a watershed moment for the soap, proving its power to address real-life issues with compassion.

3. Emmerdale: Who killed Graham?

The "Who killed Graham?" murder mystery saw the soap adopt a multi-perspective narrative, showing the same night from different characters' viewpoints. The twist came when rapist Pierce (Jonathan Wrather) was revealed as the killer, years after his original exit. This shock return and brutal act left fans reeling, but ultimately concluded with Rhona (Zoe Henry), who was previously sexual assaulted by Pierce, extracting a full confession from the villain to the murder and other crimes.

4. EastEnders: The 35th anniversary boat disaster

For its 35th anniversary, EastEnders staged a dramatic boat party that ended in tragedy as young Denny (Bleu Landau) drowned. The episode was packed with high-stakes drama as multiple character crises converged on the Thames. The shock of Denny’s death reverberated across the Square, with Sharon’s (Letitia Dean) grief and Ian’s (Adam Woodyatt) guilt dominating storylines for months.

5. Hollyoaks: Ste's radicalisation

Hollyoaks broke new ground by exploring the radicalisation of Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) by a far-right group. Showing how vulnerable people can be groomed by extremists, the somewhat taboo topic had rarely been seen on soaps at the time. Ste’s subsequent journey towards redemption and the impact on his loved ones were also very well judged.

6. Neighbours: Finn Kelly's reign of terror

Neighbours shocked audiences with Finn Kelly’s (Rob Mills) transformation from loveable teacher to chilling villain. His final act of revenge during the soap's 35th anniversary saw him endanger half of Ramsay Street, culminating in multiple deaths – including his own demise. The storyline was darker than usual for the sunny Australian soap, and its aftermath left a legacy of trauma and grief among the surviving characters.

7. Coronation Street: Yasmeen and Geoff's coercive control

Yasmeen Metcalfe’s (Shelley King) harrowing ordeal at the hands of her abusive husband Geoff (Ian Bartholomew) was one of Corrie’s most talked-about storylines. It sparked national debate about coercive control and increased awareness of domestic abuse, with particular praise reserved for the moment when Yasmeen finally fought back. Following a trial for attempted murder, Yasmeen was thankfully found not guilty and Geoff met his maker shortly afterwards when he fell from the roof of number 6.

8. The climate change crossover

In a groundbreaking move, Casualty, Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Holby City and Hollyoaks all joined forces for a special week highlighting climate change. Characters crossed over into rival shows and storylines from each other's soaps were referenced. It was a surreal watch but underscored the power (and adaptability) of continuing drama to unite for a common cause, as the shows shone a spotlight on some pressing environmental issues.

9. Emmerdale: Holly Barton's overdose

Holly Barton's (Sophie Powles) tragic death from a heroin overdose stunned Emmerdale viewers – particularly because it wasn't publicised prior to transmission, so no one had any idea Powles was leaving the cast. The storyline was praised for its raw, realistic depiction of addiction, while Natalie J Robb's performance as a grieving Moira Barton earned widespread praise. Holly's drug dealer Simon McManus (Liam Ainsworth) returned to the show in 2018 when he was finally imprisoned.

10. Neighbours: Dee Bliss returns from the dead

Dee Bliss’s (Madeleine West) return, years after her presumed death, provided one of Neighbours’ most jaw-dropping twists. Her reappearance set off a chain of revelations and emotional turmoil for Toadie (Ryan Moloney) and the community – not least of all because it was initially a fake-out, with Dee's twin sister Andrea Somers (aka Fake Dee) posing as the late character in an attempt to con Toadie before the real Dee returned in earnest.

11. Coronation Street: Richard Hillman's reign of terror

There were no finer villains than Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) on Corrie. The ultimate baddie strutted around the cobbles with his leather gloves killing off anyone who took his fancy. The climax of his dreadful reign came in 2003 when he attempted to kill himself and the Platt family in an act of pure selfishness. His final words as the car plunged into the icy Manchester lake were "This is it! I love you!", revealing just how twisted his psyche had become; what he was attempting to do was far from love. Soap land has never quite found another villain like Hillman, with his legacy of being the greatest ever soap villain firmly in tact.

12. Hollyoaks: Football abuse scandal

Hollyoaks tackled the subject of historic sexual abuse in football through the stories of Ollie Morgan (Aedan Duckworth) and Brody Hudson (Adam Woodward). The plot was lauded for raising awareness and encouraging real-life survivors to speak out, with one of the victims of convicted child sex offender and football coach Barry Bennell advising the soap on the storyline. The plot was cited as the main reason why Hollyoaks won the Best Soap and Continuing Drama prize at the Royal Television Society (RTS) in 2019.

13. Coronation Street: Hayley tells Roy she's transgender

Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) joined the cobbles in 1998 and her biggest moment on the soap was when she opened up to Roy (David Neilson) about her true self, finally telling him she was trans. The moment was talked about in parliament and was widely praised for changing attitudes towards trans people, helping to create more understanding and acceptance for the community.

14. Home and Away: The hospital siege

Home and Away delivered one of its most dramatic storylines with a hospital siege that resulted in multiple deaths and lasting trauma for Summer Bay residents. When a couple of Ouroboros gang members held everyone at gunpoint, it spelled the end for fan-favourite character Mason Morgan (Orpheus Pledger), who was shot dead. The high-stakes plot certainly pushed the boundaries of the soap’s usual tone.

15. EastEnders: Lucy Beale's murder

The 'Who killed Lucy Beale?' storyline gripped viewers for months, culminating in a live reveal during the show’s 30th anniversary week. Not unlike the 'Who shot Phil?' mystery that had captivated the nation 13 years earlier, everyone had a theory but not many got the right culprit, as a then-10-year-old Bobby Beale was unmasked as the killer, kicking off a long-running storyline for the entire Beale family as they came to terms with Bobby's actions.

16. EastEnders: Phil Mitchell's addiction struggles

Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) battles with alcoholism and drug addiction have provided some of EastEnders’ most powerful scenes over the years. Seeing the much-loved character become hooked on crack cocaine in 2010, or find out he had cirrhosis of the liver in Christmas 2015, was a painful watch but highlighted the complexities of addiction and recovery.

17. Emmerdale: Ashley Thomas's dementia

Emmerdale’s portrayal of Ashley Thomas’s (John Middleton) dementia was acclaimed for its authenticity and emotional depth – the Alzheimer's Society, which worked closely with the show on the storyline, praised the team's work. The soap used innovative storytelling techniques, including episodes from Ashley’s perspective, to immerse viewers in his experience and helping to raise both awareness and understanding of dementia.

18. Coronation Street: Pat Phelan's reign of terror

Pat Phelan’s (Connor McIntyre) villainous exploits, including multiple murders, kidnappings and his final showdown, kept Corrie fans on the edge of their seats. The storyline’s twists and turns made Phelan one of soap’s most notorious villains. The aftermath saw the community come to terms with his crimes for months.

19. Hollyoaks: Breda McQueen's serial killings

The revelation that Breda McQueen (Moya Brady) was a secret serial killer sent shockwaves through Hollyoaks – and the viewers watching on too! As part of her twisted mission to rid the world of unfit fathers in order to protect their children, Breda racked up an incredible number of kills using poison, rocks, chisels and more. Her reign of terror came to an end in a burning pig farm in an episode of Hollyoaks Later in 2020.

20. Doctors: Valerie's cancer diagnosis

Doctors explored Valerie Pitman’s (Sarah Moyle) cancer diagnosis with sensitivity and was applauded for managing to balance moments of humour with the realities of the illness. After initially not telling anyone she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she eventually opened up to those closest to her and the story had a happy ending as she found out on her wedding day that she was in remission... although it did lead to her walking out on her husband-to-be Barry Biglow (David Perks)!

21. Coronation Street: Bethany Platt's grooming

Corrie’s exploration of Bethany Platt’s (Lucy Fallon) grooming and sexual exploitation was both harrowing and groundbreaking, as it prompted national discussion about a devastating real-world issue. Evil Nathan Curtis (Christopher Harper) did finally face justice, although returned again in 2024 to terrorise Bethany, with praise for both Fallon and Harper's roles in telling the story.

22. Neighbours: Sonya Rebecchi's death

Sonya Rebecchi’s (Eve Morey) terminal cancer diagnosis and death was one of Neighbours’ most heartbreaking storylines. Sonya underwent chemotherapy but it failed to reduce her tumours, and the show charted her journey with dignity and compassion. A trip to the beach saw the character pass away in Toadie's arms in heartbreaking scenes.

23. EastEnders: Angie Watts returns from the dead

EastEnders turned 40 in epic fashion after the Queen Vic explosion brought about Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) untimely death – but it was the moment that happened before that which really got viewers talking, when Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) was in her ultimate time of need and she saw her late mum’s vision in front of her. Angie (Anita Dobson) was played once more by Anita Dobson, still wearing the same costume from back in the '80s. It was kept a secret for fans, setting the internet alight and subsequently winning a British Soap Award for it, too.

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