Emmerdale star reacts as Matthew Wolfenden joins rival soap

 His Hollyoaks debut aired this week, and it was pretty explosive.

Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant has reacted to his former co-star Matthew Wolfenden making his debut in fellow soap Hollyoaks this week. Plant plays Jacob Sugden in the ITV soap, while Wolfenden played on-screen father figure David Metcalfe.

As of a few days ago, though, Wolfenden is playing Jonah Keane in the Channel 4 soap, and his new stint has already got off to a highly-dramatic start. And even though he is now working on a rival show, Plant is more than excited for his former co-star.

"Oh I'm absolutely over the moon for him, honestly", Plant said.

"I've said it many, many times before but I have so much love for Matthew. He's done a little bit of panto and a West End show, so it's nice to see him back on our TV screens again, doing what he does best."

Wolfenden previously said about his Emmerdale departure that it was down to him landing a role in the stage version of Elf, and being offered a choice.

They said 'if we set a precedence to let you out for three months to do that we've got to let other people out too.' And I absolutely understood that," he said. "My contract was coming to an end and I had this big decision to make, do I leave an 18-year job to do an eight-week show?

"I was 43 at the time, and I thought, 'If I don’t do it now then I’ll never do it.' I absolutely adored [Emmerdale] and [my decision] had nothing to do with the fact that I wasn't enjoying it anymore, it was just that I wanted to go out and spread my wings."

ITV's other soap Coronation Street is currently undertaking a similar story, one that Plant was a major part of almost a decade ago – which was referenced in Emmerdale itself this week.

Speaking about Corrie's Will and Megan storyline, Plant said: "I haven't seen too much of it recently, but I have great faith in the fact that they're doing an amazing job and also raising awareness for such important topics.

"I can't stress how important it is for people to be having these conversations, so I'll have to tune in and see how they do it."

Next week on Home and Away in the UK, Remi faces the most crucial moment of his life as he undergoes high-risk brain surgery.

 

In recent weeks, Remi (Adam Rowland) has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, with neurosurgeon Dr Swan (Brigid Zengeni) determining that the safest way to remove it is through an awake craniotomy.

The complex procedure will see Remi placed under anaesthetic for the initial stages, before being brought back to consciousness once his skull is open so that Dr Swan can map his brain function in real time—ensuring she avoids damaging critical areas as she operates.

With the surgery only days away, Remi headed off to the city with Eden (Stephanie Panozzo) to deliver the news to parents Graham and Nicola (Brian Meegan and Kate Raison).

But on their return next week, Eden tells Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) that Remi wasn’t able to go through with telling them, leaving her all too aware of what she’ll have to do if anything goes wrong.

When Sonny (Ryan Bown) arrives, expecting to accompany Remi to the hospital shortly, Remi instead tells him and Eden that he’s going to the hospital alone, insisting it’s something he needs to do himself.

The decision comes as a shock, particularly as they had planned to support him through it, but Remi refuses to change his mind.

Remi steps outside, and Eden panics when they subsequently hear him taking off on his motorbike, despite the risks.

At Northern Districts Hospital, preparation is already underway, as Dr Swan wraps up a briefing with the surgical team before they head off to theatre.

Staying behind, Levi (Tristan Gorey) speaks with her, as she admits the operation will be one of the most challenging she’s ever attempted, given the tumour’s position close to key functional areas of the brain.

Back on Saxon Avenue, when Remi eventually returns he admits to Eden and Sonny that heading out on his bike was reckless, but explains he needed the moment—aware it could be the last time he gets to do so.

Remi soon reveals he’s already arranged his own lift to the hospital, catching Eden and Sonny off guard as Levi arrives to pick him up.

With little more than a brief goodbye to his best mates, Remi leaves with him.

At the hospital, Levi talks Remi through what to expect, running over the stages of the operation with him.

As Remi faces the fact that he may not come through this, he asks Levi to ensure he tells Eden just how much she means to him.

Levi tells Remi he can tell her himself, as Remi turns around to find Eden has followed him to the hospital, drawing him into a big hug.

Clearly relieved to see her despite his earlier bravado, Remi softens, as Eden makes it clear she’s not going anywhere, staying with him as he prepares to head into theatre.

Inside the operating theatre, the first stage begins with Remi being placed under anaesthetic whilst Dr Swan and her team open his skull.

Once that stage is complete, he is brought back around so the team can begin mapping his brain. As the process is about to begin, Remi grabs Levi’s arm, needing his mate’s support.

As Dr Swan stimulates different areas, Levi guides Remi through a series of responses, asking him to identify objects and react to prompts, allowing the team to identify which areas control key functions.

At one point, Remi’s breathing quickens and his anxiety spikes, with his vital signs rising as the pressure of the situation hits.

With the risk of having to abandon the awake procedure, Levi steps in to steady him, talking him through his breathing until it returns to normal.

Once his breathing is brought back under control, the surgery continues, though Dr Swan makes it clear there is no room for further issues.

As the operation progresses, Remi is handed his guitar, with the team using his playing to monitor how his brain is responding in real time.

When he suddenly hits a wrong note and his hand seizes up, the mood in the theatre shifts, as Dr Swan immediately pauses—”Was that me or him?”

As Remi begins to falter, Levi steps in, urging him to focus and keep playing, while Dr Swan warns that if he can’t continue, she’ll have no choice but to put him fully under.

“I’m starting to regret letting you guys touch any part of my brain,” Remi states in frustration.

You want me to stop?” Dr Swan replies in her typically blunt fashion. “I’ll stop. But just so we’re clear, we do that, and the next time a guitar plays will be at your funeral.”

With everything on the line, Remi regains his composure and starts playing again, allowing the surgery to continue.

Dr Swan eventually confirms the tumour has been removed, with samples sent for testing to determine whether it is malignant.

Before being placed under again, Remi is asked a series of questions to assess his condition, responding clearly and showing no immediate signs of damage.

Eden remains at his bedside as he is brought out of surgery, with Levi confirming that the operation has gone as well as they could have hoped.

With no obvious deficits and the tumour removed, attention turns to recovery as they await further results.

The following morning, Eden is still by Remi’s side when Levi returns. With Remi’s obs stable overnight, there are no immediate concerns, and they wait for him to wake.

But when Remi does come round, it becomes clear something isn’t right.

Seeing Eden holding his guitar, Remi struggles to find the word—“my… thing… strings”—trailing off and grasping for it until Eden has to fill it in for him.

Called back by Eden, Levi runs further checks, asking Remi to follow instructions and testing his strength and coordination.

Physically, everything appears normal, with no issues in his movement or responses.

Levi suggests it may be due to swelling following the surgery, something that can temporarily affect speech depending on the area of the brain involved. When Remi presses for how long it might last, Levi is unable to give a clear answer.

To rule out any complications, further scans are arranged to check for issues such as bleeding, with Dr Swan on her way in to assess him.

All Remi can do now is wait to find out whether it’s a temporary side effect of the surgery, or a sign of a deeper complication…

Meet the blonde beauties winning the hearts of Pia Whitesell's hunky sons Isaiah and Lennox - as the Home And Away star parties with family at Coachella

 Pia Whitesell has been tripping the light fantastic at Coachella and it seems her sons are having quite the time, too.

The former Home and Away star, 42, has been enjoying the festival with her millionaire Hollywood agent husband Patrick and her two sons, Isaiah, 22, and Lennox, 19.

Although it seey.ms the boys have been leaving their mum and stepdad to their own devices, choosing instead to enjoy the festival with blonde beauties Presley Kiffin and Victoria Lake. 

Pia shared an extensive photo dump of her Coachella experience via Instagram on Thursday.

One photo showed her boys excitedly making their way into the festival grounds with what looked to be their significant others.

Lennox beamed as he walked with his arm wrapped around Presley, while Isaiah also looked equally chuffed to be in Victoria's compan

Pia Whitesell, 42, has been enjoying the festival with her millionaire Hollywood agent husband Patrick, and her two sons, Isaiah, 22, and Lennox, 19 (both pictured)

Meanwhile, Victoria shared a photo on her Instagram this week, showing her locked in a romantic embrace with Isaiah.

It appears that Pia has given the relationships her seal of approval, too.

One photo from Pia's Coachella montage showed her happily posing with Presley and Victoria as the trio took a break from the festivities.        

Presley Kiffin is the daughter of prominent American college football coach Lane Kiffin.

Lane is currently the head football coach at Louisiana State University, where he signed a seven-year deal for a whopping $91million in 2025.

He was previously the head coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he led the team to the first 11‑win regular season in the university’s history.

Presley is certainly following in her father's sporting footsteps, playing college volleyball for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans.

She comes from a bit of a sporting dynasty, with her grandfather, Monte Kiffin, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history.

Although it seems the boys have been leaving their mum and stepdad to their own devices, choosing instead to enjoy the festival with blonde beauties Victoria Lake (right) Presley Kiffin (centre left)

Victoria shared an image to her Instagram this week that showed her locked in a romantic embrace with Isaiah, while at the festival

It appears that Pia has given the relationships her seal of approval, too. One photo from her Coachella Instagram montage showed her happily posing with Presley and Victoria as the trio took a break from the festivities

Back in March, Lennox took to Instagram to share a photo of himself and Presley looking very cosy.

The couple looked chuffed to be in each other's company as they posed at what looked to be a formal event.

Presley beamed as she cuddled close to Lennox, while he lovingly rested his head on hers.

Lennox would certainly have a lot to chat about with Presley's family, with the 19-year-old currently starring as a punter for the UCLA Bruins.

While little is known about Isaiah's belle, Victoria's Instagram feed shows her often bikini-clad on the beach, as well as her various travel adventures and adrenaline‑fuelled activities like skydiving.

Pia shares Isaiah with a partner from a previous relationship and Lennox with her ex-husband of eight years, former AFL star Brad Miller.

After splitting with Brad in 2015, Pia began dating Patrick Whitesell in mid-2019, shortly after his divorce from Lauren Sánchez, the current wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Patrick also shares two children – son Evan, 19, and daughter Ella, 17 – with Lauren.

Presley Kiffin is the daughter of prominent American college football coach Lane Kiffin. Lane is currently the head football coach at Louisiana State University, where he signed a seven-year deal for a whopping $91 million in 2025

Lennox would certainly have a lot to chat to Presley's family about, with the 19-year-old currently starring as a punter for the UCLA Bruins

Presley is certainly following in her father's sporting footsteps, playing college volleyball for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. She comes from somewhat of a sporting dynasty, with her grandfather, Monte Kiffin, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history

Presley is certainly following in her father's sporting footsteps, playing college volleyball for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans. She comes from somewhat of a sporting dynasty, with her grandfather, Monte Kiffin, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history

Meanwhile, Pia has certainly been living it up with Patrick, Lennox and Isaiah at the iconic music festival.

Aside from hanging out with family, Pia has been partying the week away at Coachella with her friends, including AFL WAGs Bec Judd and Jessie Murphy, radio host Lauren Phillips and publicist Gemma Sampson. 

In one photo dump of her Coachella adventures, Pia also shared a photo that showed her rubbing shoulders with model Hailey Bieber, just prior to Hailey's husband Justin taking to the stage for his anticipated performance.

On Saturday night, Pia uploaded several videos of herself dancing in the crowd as Justin performed his 90-minute set on the main stage.

Dressed in a black hoodie emblazoned with the word 'Bieberchella', the brunette was seen bouncing around and waving her hands to the music.

Her sons and several friends could be seen dancing alongside her in the crowd.

Pia also took to Instagram Stories on Sunday with photos and videos of herself posing at the event, clad head-to-toe in designer labels.

Showcasing her svelte physique, the mother-of-two sported a white lace-trimmed silk mini dress by Magda Butrym, which retails for $3,260.

After splitting with Brad in 2015, Pia began dating Patrick Whitesell (pictured) in mid-2019, shortly after his divorce from Lauren Sánchez, the current wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos

She paired the dress with a $3,550 black leather Balenciaga hobo bag and a pair of Bottega Veneta sunglasses worth $995.

Her ensemble also included a pair of black high leather boots by Fendi, which retail for $3,460, and an assortment of gold jewellery, including hoop earrings, a crucifix necklace and several bracelets.

Pia took to social media again, on Tuesday, with photos of two more outfits she sported while attending the world-famous festival.

In the first photo, an elated-looking Pia was seen posing in front of a wall wearing a white long-sleeved mini dress accessorised with a Saint Laurent Sac Chaine bag, worth $5,696.

She also wore a pair of $4,100 Miu Miu leather boots and a set of Bottega Veneta sunglasses worth $995.

In the second image, Pia once again sported her Bottega Veneta sunglasses, along with a black ruched mini dress by Saint Laurent, worth $5,696 and a Valentino tote, which retails for $5,000.