Let's face it – residency in soapland can be dangerous. Not only are there boozers (where locals always seem to be – think of their livers) but murder is also rife.
It’s not just the odd murder here and there, either, and most soap operas have had their fair share of serial killers over the years. Of course the murders themselves can’t be too grisly as soaps air before the watershed but this usually means that villains turn up their camp panto-ness to a hundred.
Without further ado let's look back at some of soap’s deadliest villains. If we’ve left anyone out don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below.
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Stephen Reid (Coronation Street)
Kicking things off we have the most recent addition to the list, Coronation Street’s Stephen Reid. In the last year viewers have watched as Audrey Roberts’ son has descended into madness and claimed the lives of three people.
For Stephen three isn't the magic number as he’s also been trying to kill his fiancée Elaine Jones too. It remains to be seen if the American will get caught out for his crimes but we have a sneaky feeling that his wickedness can’t carry on much longer.
Gray Atkins (EastEnders)
Meanwhile in Albert Square on EastEnders we have a killer who’s equally deadly. In fact for a long time it looked like no-one would ever find out the truth about Gray Atkins.
Charming, smart, and unhinged, Gray’s villainy all began with his wife Chantelle. For months Gray physically and mentally abused Chantelle and when she finally had enough and decided to leave him he killed her.
Gray later killed Tina Carter and Kush Kazemi. His crimes finally caught up with him last year and he was arrested for all three murders.
Pat Phelan (Coronation Street)
Back on Corrie and long before Stephen was Weatherfield’s number one menace Pat Phelan held the mantle. Prior to killing anyone viewers already despised the character because he raped Anna Windass – who’d later get her revenge.
During his reign of terror Pat was responsible for the deaths of Michael Rodwell, former associate Vinny, Andy Carver, and Luke Britton. After Pat shot his own daughter Anna stabbed Pat to death at the Bistro.
Silas Blissett (Hollyoaks)
If anyone fits the killer archetype it’s Hollyoaks’ Silas Blissett. He’s someone who has got away with murder time and time again.
He murdered several women – including his own daughter, Heidi Costello, by mistake. At the height of his twistedness Silas held a pregnant Mercedes McQueen hostage in a cellar after she confessed to having an affair with Heidi’s husband, and her boyfriend’s dad, Carl.
He was last seen in 2016 murdering Lindsey Butterfield, who herself is by no means innocent…
Lindsey Butterfield (Hollyoaks)
The Gloved Hand Killer was ultimately revealed to be Lindsey in 2015. The mystery intrigued Hollyoaks viewers for months with Lindsey going on a killing spree that saw seven people end up in the morgue.
The pregnant doctor went on the run after police discovered she’d killed countless victims in the hospital, injecting them with potassium chloride. Just as it looked like Lindsey would get away with it she got a taste of her own medicine in May 2016 when fellow serial killer Silas Blissett payed her a visit.
Nick Cotton (EastEnders)
Dubbed ‘Nasty Nick’ for this very reason. With his iconic black leather coat and slicked back hair, Nick nailed the evil look.
Nick wasted no time before he committed murder as he was responsible for the death of Reg Cox, who was the very first character to be seen in EastEnders in 1985. He ultimately got away with the crime and was put on probation.
In 1991 Nick killed again, taking the life of The Queen Vic landlord Eddie Royle. He was also later responsible for the death of his 17-year-old son Ashley, who stole Mark Fowler's motorbike – unaware that his dad had slashed the brakes.
Richard Hillman (Coronation Street)
Smooth-talking financial adviser Richard Hillman hid a dark secret – he was actually a triple murderer. He got a taste for it after a late-night row with partner Duggie Ferguson ended with Duggie falling through a stair railing.
After that Richard bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. He then tried to silence his suspicious mother-in-law, Audrey Roberts, by setting her house on fire.
After Maxine Peacock caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop,he took a crowbar to her head in an episode watched by 15m fans. Richard ultimately went to a watery grave in 2003 when he drove wife Gail Platt and her family into the Weatherfield canal.
Lachlan White (Emmerdale)
Emmerdale has also had its fair share of serial killers over the years. One of these was spoilt rich kid Lachlan White.
After stalking Belle Dingle around the village Lachlan committed a sexual assault on Alicia Gallagher. Despite claiming Alicia was complicit Lachlan was found guilty and given two years on the sex offenders' register.
As Lachlan grew increasingly unhinged the White family staged an intervention and decided to take him away to Australia. Lachlan had other ideas, though, and deliberately ploughed the family's car into an oncoming lorry, killing his mum Chrissie and granddad Lawrence.
Then, when Gerry Roberts threatened to expose Lachlan’s murderous secret, he smashed his former cellmate's skull in. He also disposed of Gerry's fake uncle Terry and buried his body in the woods.
Cameron Murray (Emmerdale)
Long before Lachlan was causing chaos in the Yorkshire Dales Cameron Murray was Emmerdale’s resident serial killer. His first victim was a biggie too as he famously offed Carl King in 2012.
Worried that Carl would expose his affair with Debbie Dingle’s aunt Chas killer Cameron bashed his brains in with a brick. He’d then kill two further people, Alex Moss and Gennie Walker – both of whom threatened to out that he’d been responsible for Carl’s death.
John Stape (Coronation Street)
It’s safe to say that teacher John Stape doesn’t look like your average killer. When he arrived on the street in 2007 no-one could have suspected that he’d later become a murderer.
John’s road to becoming a killer all started when he had a steamy affair with his student Rosie Webster. After everyone found out about their dalliance John lost his job and was sent to jail.
John then stole the identity of ex-colleague Colin Fishwick who was moving to Canada. Everything was fine until Colin suddenly returned and dropped down dead while confronting John. Instead of getting help John and his colleague Charlotte buried Colin's corpse under the floorboards of Underworld.
John's next challenge was keeping unstable Charlotte quiet, which he managed by fatally attacking her with a hammer and making it look as if she'd died in the Weatherfield tram crash. His final victim was Colin's elderly mother, Joy, who he accidentally smothered after she'd found out the truth about her son.
Lucas Johnson (EastEnders)
The holy killer who was far from saintly, Denise’s third husband Lucas committed his first murder by accident. After getting into a tussle with estranged wife Trina an angry Lucas pushed her onto a rake in Charlie Slater's shed,and the sharp garden tool impaled her throat.
Deciding not to call the emergency services Lucas left Trina to die and breathed a sigh of relief when the coroner delivered a verdict of accidental death. She wouldn’t be the last person he caused the death of, though, and he also strangled Denise’s ex-husband Owen.
After Denise discovered what kind of man she'd married Lucas held her hostage and ruthlessly strangled prostitute Gemma Charleston, passing off her body as his missing wife's. Denise survived the ordeal and Lucas was sentenced to life in prison in 2011. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
