Doctors spoilers: Ex-Hollyoaks and Strictly star Ali Bastian joins the cast
Ex-Hollyoaks and The Bill star Ali Bastian returns to soapland when she arrives in Letherbridge as new character Becky Clarke
Everyone's wondering what's going to happen now surgery practice manager Mrs Tembe has announced she is leaving The Mill. But help may be on hand, when Mrs Tembe meets an impressive young Practice Manager, Becky Clarke (played by Ali Bastian).
Mrs Tembe is at a Women in Business networking lunch when she first meets Becky, and is interested to hear she is currently looking for a job.
However, when Mrs Tembe considers Becky as a potential replacement for her at The Mill, she's in for an unpleasant surprise when Becky's ruthless business mentor Catrin Ballard confronts Mrs Tembe and makes it very clear she thinks Becky can do much better than a job at a local doctors surgery. Rude!
Elsewhere in Letherbridge, Emma Reid regrets agreeing to a day of shopping with Zara Carmichael, when Zara lays down a list of ground rules and turns out to be a nightmare shopper from hell!
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Dr Sid Vere agrees to carry out the medicals for an investment bank. But dark secrets are revealed when Sid meets stressed-out financial manager Kelly Markham and becomes concerned about her stomach pains...
Doctors continues weekdays at 1:45pm on BBC One
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Simon has long been a fan of soap operas, and especially loves OVER-THE-TOP plots involving evil twins, hair-pulling catfights and natural disasters. Anyone remember the Sunset Beach earthquake/tidal wave? Or when Krystle Carrington got locked in the attic and replaced by look-a-like Rita in Dynasty?!
Simon has written for a variety of TV and childrens’ magazines/websites including Inside Soap, Nickelodeon, What’s On TV, Radio Times, Metro, Girl Talk, Disney Girl, Toxic! and Digital Spy. He has reported LIVE from the red carpet at The British Soap Awards interviewing glammed-up stars from soapland, and hosted a Facebook LIVE session for Metro with Home and Away legend Ray Meagher (Alf "Stone the flamin' crows!" Stewart) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aussie soap.
Simon is also co-author of The Treasures Of Coronation Street (Carlton Books)
And the writer and director of (very!) low budget fright flick, Midsummer Night's EVIL and the sequel webisodes series, The Hatchet Woods HORROR.