Hollyoaks's Leela is on a mission – but did James kill Rex?

 He's up to something.

Hollyoaks's James Nightingale has publicly turned up in the village again after supposedly being blown up in his car (and a few secretive appearances here and there since).

Given that his big return has come right on the heels of the death of Rex Gallagher, Ste's latest husband, Leela Lomax is suspicious.

The episode began with Ste and James coming downstairs in the morning after a night of passion, with Ste fully expecting James to do a runner again.

When James recalled that Ste chose Rex over him the last time they hooked up, Ste insisted that he was going to "stop living in the past" and focus on his present, which was James.

Over at The Dog, Leela shared her concerns with Tony Hutchinson, telling him that Ste had gotten back with his ex "too fast" and that she felt it was more than just grief.

Although Tony agreed, he said there was nothing they could do due to Ste's impulsive nature.

"You and I both know James Nightingale can't be trusted, so we're gonna have to wait for Ste to see it, too, he said.

Leela later confronted Ste, saying she saw that he had been looking up divorces online, and called him out for moving on so quickly.

Not only did Ste snap back by saying that Rex got in the way of him and James, but he also accused her of suggesting he was involved in Rex's death.

If you didn't kill Rex, there's someone else that would benefit from him not being around, isn't there?" she asked him. "You know who I'm talking about: James."

Later on, James himself told Leela that she was just going to have to "suck it up", but Leela had other ideas. She followed James and secretly snapped him giving an envelope full of, presumably, cash to a random man.

Is she on the money, or is James up to something else dodgy? And if so, what?

EastEnders spoilers for next week 3 to 6 August 2026

 What's coming up in Walford?

Next week on EastEnders, Peter makes a shocking discovery that changes everything for Lauren and Mark.

Meanwhile, Chelsea grows suspicious of Sheila, and Barney reveals a secret over Joel's attack.

Dive into all the biggest moments coming up below, then check out our collection of 19 spoiler pictures from next week's episodes.

 Peter makes a discovery about Lauren

Lauren tries to distance herself from Mark but is clearly jealous when he flirts with one of Jack's colleagues in front of her.

However, Mark is forced to stop playing games when the woman takes a genuine interest in one of the stolen cars.

Peter grow suspicious about what's going on between Lauren and Mark, but she dismisses his concerns.

Later, Peter is horrified when he makes a discovery on her phone.

Mark admits his feelings

With tension growing between him and Lauren, Mark decides to admits how he really feels about her.

They share a moment, but it's interrupted by angry Peter…

 Barney reveals some big secrets

Barney is struggling to cope with the accusations about Joel's attack. He confides in Zack about a secret he has been hiding and reveals that he saw Nugget acting suspiciously that night.

Later in the week, Barney heads to the station to give a statement.

 Vicki and Ross make some unsettling discoveries

Vicki and Ross get an update on Joel's living arrangements, which only deepen Vicki's suspicions. Ross agrees with her and, together, they approach Kat and Alfie for answers.

In doing so, Vicki and Ross are furious to learn that the other parents know much more than they realised but have kept quiet.

Afterwards, Ross is determined to go to the police with the new information.

Eve worries about Jean

Eve is concerned about Jean, who has fallen behind on rent.

Needing to get back on track financially, Jean takes on a cleaning job at Max's flat.

Lauren comes clean

Backed into a corner by Peter, Lauren is forced to admit that she and Mark have been dealing stolen cars.

When Max and Cindy arrive amid the chaos, Lauren ends up having to tell Max everything as well.

Jack tries to protect Amy

Jack is determined to protect Amy and Ricky, so he asks his colleague Craig for a favour.

Amy is also keen to know more about what's going on with the investigation into Joel's attack. She questions Craig, but to no avail.

 Joel makes a surprise request

Kat and Alfie gather the parents to discuss the ongoing Joel mystery, but things grow tense when Vicki and Ross arrive.

Craig later updates Vicki and Ross on the latest developments, as Joel makes a surprising request.

Patrick returns to Walford

Patrick returns to Walford and has an emotional reunion with Denise.

He's quick to spot the tension between Denise and Chelsea and becomes determined to fix it.

 Ravi questions Priya

Ravi makes another attempt to make amends with Priya.

But as he questions Priya about her mystery man, will he get any closer to discovering the truth?

Jack supports Max

Max and Cindy clash over the situation with Lauren.

Wanting to help his brother, Jack later offers some advice to Max.

 Lauren gives Mark a proposition

Lauren is struggling to cope following arguments with both Peter and Max. Penny pushes Lauren to be honest about her feelings for Mark, but she remains torn over what to do.

When Mark hears about Lauren's situation with Peter, his hope is renewed, and he goes to see her.

However, Mark is thrown when Lauren asks him to prove how much she means to him. What will he do?

 Sheila schemes with Gray

Chelsea lets Sheila look after Jordan while she visits Denise, who's still unsettled by her daughter's decisions.

While babysitting Jordan, Sheila goes against Chelsea's request and takes him out, making him promise not to say anything.

Back at home, Sheila begins to put her plan into action and later calls Gray to update him.

Chelsea grows suspicious

As Sheila continues to scheme, Chelsea grows suspicious about what's going on. She's later horrified when someone arrives at her door with worrying information.

Shaken by Chelsea's discovery, Sheila calls Gray again, but what is she planning now?

 Mark makes a big decision

Cindy and Max make amends, but the moment is short-lived when he has another argument with Mark over Lauren.

Meanwhile, Mark's guilt intensifies following a conversation with Louie, who's struggling with Lauren and Peter's situation.

Lauren later meets up with Peter, who explains that Mark has told him the truth. But their conversation is interrupted by a commotion going on in the Square..

Tristan Gorey Opens Up on Levi’s Fight for Survival — And Why It Could Change Summer Bay Forever

Just days after Home and Away left fans reeling with Levi’s terrifying cliff fall, the actor behind Summer Bay’s beloved doctor is breaking his silence — and his words suggest things are about to get a whole lot darker before they get better.

Tristan Gorey, who has played Levi since joining the show, has opened up about what lies ahead for his character, hinting that the fallout from this near-death ordeal could reshape life in the Bay in ways viewers won’t see coming. Speaking with TV WEEK, Gorey reflected on both the physical intensity of filming the cliffhanger sequence and the emotional weight of one of the show’s most talked-about storylines in recent memory.

A Storyline That Hit Close to Home

Before Levi’s dramatic fall, audiences watched him and on-screen partner Mack, played by Emily Weir, endure the devastating loss of their unborn child — a storyline that struck a nerve with viewers far beyond the usual soap opera drama. For many fans, the grief felt painfully real, sparking an outpouring of personal stories and messages from people who had lived through similar heartbreak themselves.

Gorey didn’t hold back when discussing how much that response meant to him and the wider Home and Away team. He credited the writers, producers and crew for handling such a delicate subject with care, and made it clear the reaction from fans reinforced just how important it was to tell this story properly, on a stage as big as international television.

At the heart of that success, according to Gorey, was his co-star. He spoke warmly about performing opposite Emily Weir, describing the trust and generosity she brought to their scenes together. In his own words, “the little actor inside of me was loving every second of being out on such an incredible real-life location.” While that particular line referred to filming locations, it captures the enthusiasm Gorey has carried through this entire chapter of Levi’s story — even as the character’s circumstances have grown increasingly dire.

Life or Death on the Cliff Edge

Now, with Levi trapped beneath a boulder following his fall during a bushwalk, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Cash and Mali are racing against time to reach him, hampered by no phone reception and rescue crews hours away. It’s a genuinely perilous situation, and Gorey has teased that whatever happens next could permanently alter the course of Summer Bay’s future.

Filming for the sequence took place on location in the Blue Mountains, giving the cast a real taste of the rugged, high-stakes environment their characters were navigating. Gorey spoke fondly of working alongside co-stars Nicholas Cartwright, Ethan Browne and Kyle Shillingsworth, describing the camaraderie between the four of them as reminiscent of a tight-knit action squad, full of banter and energy throughout the shoot.

Despite the dramatic nature of the scenes — including moments where Gorey’s character dangled precariously on set — he was quick to reassure fans that safety was never compromised. Full safety harnesses and an attentive crew were on hand throughout filming, allowing the actors to fully commit to the drama without real risk.

What This Means for Summer Bay

With Levi’s fate still hanging in the balance, and Gorey hinting at long-term consequences for the character and those around him, fans have plenty to speculate about ahead of the show’s return. Could this be the storyline that finally tests Levi and Mack’s relationship beyond repair? Or will surviving this ordeal bring them closer together after everything they’ve already been through?

One thing’s for certain — Home and Away isn’t done with this story yet, and if Gorey’s comments are anything to go by, the ripple effects could be felt in Summer Bay for a long time to come.

What do you think happens next for Levi? Will he pull through, and what could this mean for his future with Mack? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

Home and Away Cliffhanger: Levi’s Life Hangs in the Balance as Show Takes Shock Break

 

Just when Home and Away fans thought they couldn’t take any more tension, the show pulled the ultimate cruel move — leaving Levi fighting for his life at the bottom of a cliff, then disappearing off screens entirely.

Last night’s supersized 90-minute episode delivered one gut-punch after another, culminating in a nail-biting cliffhanger that has left the Summer Bay fandom in complete disarray. And now, just as viewers are desperate for answers, the show is taking a short break.

Before anyone panics, here’s the good news: Home and Away isn’t gone for good. It’s simply stepping aside temporarily to make way for Channel Seven’s Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games coverage, which has taken over the coveted 7.00pm slot. The series will return on Monday, 3 August at 7.00pm, picking up in the exact moment it left us hanging.

A Boys’ Trip That Went Horribly Wrong

What was meant to be a straightforward getaway for Levi turned into a nightmare when he took a terrifying fall from a remote clifftop, leaving him trapped beneath a massive boulder metres below. To make matters worse, there’s no phone signal in the area and rescue help is hours away — a race against time that Cash and Mali are now desperately trying to win.

As Levi’s condition continues to worsen with every passing minute, fans are already bracing themselves for the worst. Will Cash and Mali reach him in time, or has Summer Bay just said goodbye to one of its most beloved characters? It’s the kind of storyline that has viewers refreshing spoiler pages and holding their breath in equal measure.

Zane’s Surprise Arrival Raises Eyebrows

While the clifftop drama dominates the headlines, there’s another twist bubbling under the surface. Marilyn’s friend Zane has turned up in Summer Bay completely out of the blue, and nobody seems to know why. Could his arrival be tied to something bigger brewing in Marilyn’s past, or is this simply a friendly visit with hidden motives? Either way, expect this storyline to unravel slowly — and expect it to matter more than it first appears.

Dana and Sonny Left in Limbo

As if one unresolved storyline wasn’t enough, Dana and Sonny’s relationship has also been thrown into uncertainty. Sonny’s no-show at Dana’s surprise proposal has left fans questioning where things stand between the couple. Was it cold feet, a genuine emergency, or something far more troubling? Only time — and the show’s eventual return — will tell.

When Can Fans Expect Answers?

With the Commonwealth Games taking priority for the next week, Home and Away fans will have to sit with this cliffhanger a little longer than usual. But when the show does return on 3 August, it promises to pick up immediately where it left off, meaning no time will be wasted getting back into the heart-pounding rescue mission.

Until then, the speculation train has well and truly left the station. Do you think Levi survives this ordeal? What’s really behind Zane’s sudden appearance? And will Dana and Sonny manage to find their way back to each other? Drop your predictions in the comments — we want to hear your theories before the truth is revealed!

EastEnders reveals Ian prison twist on iPlayer as he's locked up with a familiar face

 His problems are only just beginning…

EastEnders fans can expect a huge prison storyline for Ian Beale and Gray Atkins.

The twist was revealed in Tuesday's episode, as viewers learned that Ian will be serving time in the same jail as the evil killer. Gray has been back on our screens for a month, but his story now looks set to step up a gear.

Ian has been sentenced to eight months behind bars after he accidentally reversed into Chelsea Fox's young son Jordan on the night of Ross Marshall and Vicki Fowler's wedding reception.

The businessman and local councillor was over the drink-drive limit when he got behind the wheel, believing there wouldn't be a problem as he'd only had one drink.

In Tuesday's episode, Ian was led out of court to begin his sentence after Chelsea had failed to turn up on time to speak in his defence.

Feeling terrible for not managing to turn things around, Chelsea later confided in Jordan's great-grandmother Sheila about how she was partly to blame for the little boy's accident.

Chelsea revealed her desire to help Ian by assisting him with an appeal, but admitted that they'd need Sheila's financial support to meet the necessary legal costs.

Later, deceptive Sheila headed to prison to confide in Gray about Ian's punishment and Chelsea's unexpected confession.

Back on the wing shortly afterwards, Gray recognised Ian among a batch of new inmates and saw an opportunity to start scheming…

The latest plot twist indicates that viewers will continue to see Ian during his time in jail, with more twists and turns ahead for him as his ordeal begins.

Meanwhile, EastEnders' New Year flashforward episode – set in January 2027 – has already confirmed that Ian will be back on the Square by the end of the year, so at least we know he'll make it out alive...

EastEnders star Shona McGarty feels "so good" as she confirms new romance

 Fans praised the "beautiful couple".

EastEnders star Shona McGarty only announced her relationship with Tony Discipline a few days ago, but the couple seem eager to show off their new romance. The actors have shared another sweet social media post, confirming they're still very much in love.

Taking to TikTok, Shona, who played Whitney Dean, shared a clip of herself and Tony doing a hilarious challenge. The video saw them attempting to say the sentence "don't worry about the toaster, the toaster's yours" in various different accents.

The pair showed off their acting skills with their impressive accents, which ranged from New York, Irish, Scottish, Scouse, Australian and Brummy, while bursting into laughter between in takes.

At the end of the challenge, Tony, who played Tyler Moon, praised Shona, telling her: "You won that though. I concede, I concede. You won, fair play."

The couple shook hands, laughing and sharing a kiss, before saying they loved each other. Shona captioned the video: "accent challenge with my Man…@tony (God it feels so good to say that

Soap fans were delighted to see the former co-stars reunited and in love, and flooded the comment section with support for the couple.

As a Millennial & Eastenders longtime watcher I remember you two on the show together and to see you like this again in the real all these years later I loveeee. I met my love at 21 we split up at 23 and have been back together for a year and a half now. I love second chance love," said one.

TYLER MOON & WHITNEY IN REAL LIFE NO FKN WAYYYYYY," wrote another, while a third added: "beautiful couple need you both back in eastenders."

Shona originally confirmed the relationship last week, after months of rumours about their romance. Taking to Instagram, the star shared holiday snaps with her man, who posted "Te Amo" in the comments.

The photos gave a glimpse into their trip, which was filled with fun activities, sweet kisses and even matching tattoos – a clear symbol of commitment!