Research: Memorable Soap Opera Storylines

Mark Fowler - HIV: Eastenders:
In 1991 when the storyline of Mark Fowler contracting the virus first began, HIV was a taboo issue that had a stigma attatched to it through people having a false impression of what exactly HIV was. Because of Eastenders tackling this issue, it was a contributing factor of the stigma and taboo attatched to it being reduced.

Dirty Den - His Death...and then his return: Eastenders:
Dirty Den's character was killed off in 1989, after being shot by a local gangster. However, the producers of Eastenders brought shock to the sqaure after they brought his character back fourteen years after his alledged death, despite everybody assuming he was dead.

Zoe and Kat Slater - 'You ain't my mother!' 'Yes I am!': Eastenders:
In 2000 when the Slater Family arrived on the square, it was always assumed that Kat and Zoe were sisters. However, after a heated argument with Zoe screaming 'You can't tell me what to do, you ain't my mother!' with Kat responded 'Yes I am!' it was revealed that Kat was indeed Zoe's mother, and not her sister.

Ronnie swaps and kidnaps Kat Moon's baby!: Eastenders:
The producers of Eastenders caused outrage in late 2010 after broadcasting the storyline of Ronnie swapping the body of her child who sadly died at birth, and swapping the baby for Kat Moon's healthy baby to look as though it was Kat's baby that had died. This ongoing storyline lasted months before the truth was revealed and Kat was reuinited with her baby, and Ronnie was sent to prison.

First Transexual Character in Soap History: Coronation Street:This storyline featuring Hayley arriving on the Street caused outrage amongst transexuals as they believed that employing and casting a woman to play the role of Hayley would flaw the reality of being a transexual - they believed that a true transexual should have been casted to play the charactrer. But people eventually warmed to her as she gave more awareness about the transexual community.

Tony Gordan's Gun Siege in Underworld: Coronation Street:
After Tony successfully manages to escape from prison, he returned back to the street to finish off the mayhem that he started and didn't manage to finish, as he held Carla, Maria and Hayley hostage in the Street's factory, Underworld. He eventually set the hostages free, before setting the factory alight which he got caught up in and died.

Sarah Platt's Teenage Pregnancy: Coronation Street:
Sarah brought shame to the Platt family when at thirteen years old, she announced that she was pregnant, before giving birth to her baby daughter, Bethany.

Tyrone's Abusive Relationship: Coronation Street:
Despite this storyline only recently coming to the screens, it will no doubt be remembered by viewers in years to come. Tyrone's girlfriend/fiancee Kirsty had violent outbursts which resulted in him being injured on more than one occasion. His friends Tommy and Tina tried to help him after he admitted what was going on, but he lied to the rest of the street in order to protect Kirsty. But when the truth is about to be told, Kirsty turns it on Tyrone, claiming that he was the one abusing her!