Lachlan White has now claimed his third victim, Gerry Roberts, earning him the dubious title of serial killer (if we’re not being too FBI about it!).
Thankfully, in real life, serial killers are in short supply, but there have been plenty stalking Soapland over the years… here’s a chilling reminder!
Lachlan White, Emmerdale
Body count: three. Teenager Lachlan ‘Lucky’ White has been trouble ever since he landed at the big house with his dysfunctional but filthy rich family. They stood by him after he sexually assaulted Alicia. But earlier this year he wasn’t happy about their plans to move him over to Australia with them for a fresh start and, as they were driving, he took the wheel and crashed their vehicle into a lorry, killing his grandfather Lawrence and mother Chrissie. His aunt, Rebecca, survived, and he almost killed her later, in case she dobbed him in, but decided to make her think she was going mad instead. When best friend Gerry revealed that he knew about the murders, Lachlan dumped a huge stone on him, after he got him trapped under a collapsed roof!
Pat Phelan, Coronation Street
Body count: four. There were early signs that Phelan was a wrong un when he screwed over fellow builder Owen Armstrong, and then blackmailed his partner Anna Windass into sleeping with him. His first killing on the Street saw him gleefully watch Michael, who was on his tail over dodgy dealings, slowly die following a heart attack. His next murder was a double – former villainous associate Vinny and Andy Carver, Michael’s sort-of-son, who he kept locked in a basement for eight months. Next came the brutal slaying of Luke, who was doggedly pursuing the truth about where his pal Andy had vanished to. Phelan is due to return to Weatherfield at the end of May, and more murders have been hinted at!
Janine Butcher, EastEnders
Body count: three. Janine was already a figure of hate for many soap fans and residents of Walford alike, but she proved just how evil she was when she pushed lover Barry Evans off a cliff during a struggle. She lived with his death for years, before adding another victim, as she mowed down Ronnie Mitchell’s daughter Danielle, in the Square. To be fair, this was an accident… but her next kill was very intentional. Ex Michael Moon was stabbed by current girlfriend Alice Branning during a violent confrontation. As he got up, Janine decided to finish him off and plunged the knife into him again.
Richard Hillman, Coronation Street
Richard Hillman, Coronation Street
Body count: three. Hillman was something of a panto villain, despite killing his nearest and dearest, and earned himself the moniker Norman Bates with a briefcase – from his own wife. The shady businessman first watched business partner Duggie die after he tumbled over several floors on their building site following a disagreement; next he bumped off his ex-wife Patricia, battering her with a shovel, after she threatened to ruin him. The conman then turned his attentions to pensioner Emily, but he ended up murdering young mum Maxine when she disturbed him, bludgeoning her with a pick axe. Realising his game was up, he decided to kill himself – along with wife Gail Platt and her kids, Sarah-Louise and David. He plunged their car into the canal and drowned – but they survived to tell the dark tale…
Lindsey Butterfield, Hollyoaks
Body count: seven. The hospital doctor was revealed as the Gloved Hand Killer after a spree that left seven people dead – and she was only stopped after being murdered! Lindsey claimed the lives of Rick Spencer, Will Savage, Phoebe McQueen, Mariam Andrews, Dylan Royle, Ashley Davidson and Charles Savage. Her MO was injecting them with potassium chloride.
Silas Blissett, Hollyoaks
Body count: five. The softly spoken pensioner bumped off six women in total, believing he was doing society a favour as they were all ‘of loose morals’. In order: India Longford; Jenny; Rae Wilson, Heidi and finally Lindsey. He and Lindsey joined forces in a kind of Hollyoaks serial killer super league, but he turned on his new accomplice once he discovered her adulterous past…