Former Emmerdale star Paige Sandhu has confirmed who Meena Jutla would kill first in the village, should she ever escape from prison.
Meena arrived in the village in 2020. Sister to Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker), Meena worked as a nurse and, on the surface, seemed like an innocent young woman.
About a year later, viewers discovered the real Meena Jutla when she murdered Leanna Cavanagh, Liam’s (Jonny McPherson) daughter. Leanna had learnt some information about Meena, and was thrown over a bridge to prevent her secrets from being exposed.
Meena then killed Andrea Tate during a survival event, and Ben Tucker with an oar outside The Hide.
The character’s reign over the village also saw her take advantage of a vulnerable Liam in the aftermath of Leanna’s death, she manipulated a variety of other characters, held her sister Manpreet hostage for days on end, and tried to gas her and Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) in a barn.
And that honestly isn’t even the half of it!
Meena was arrested in 2022, after a showdown with Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) and Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley). The character caused a scene during her trial as well, holding the courtroom hostage and threatening her sister with a shard of glass.
Eventually, Meena was sentenced to life-imprisonment with a 25 year tariff. The judge imposed a whole life order as well, which means Meena won’t ever be eligible for parole.
While it means she cannot ever be free from prison via the system, Meena could still become an escaped prisoner in the future.
Because if so many other criminals can do it in soapland, surely Meena Jutla can as well?!
Last night, star Paige Sandhu featured in this year’s The Big Soap Quiz. It’s hosted by Stephen Mulhern, and features cast members from Coronation Street and Emmerdale go head to head in a dramatic quiz.
Contestants Lucy Pargeter, Shebz Miah, Bradley Riches and captain Mark Charnock were thrilled to see Paige make an appearance. She spoke to Stephen about her time on the show, and whether Meena would continue her murderous streak if she ever escaped from behind bars.
‘It was so fulfilling’, she said as she reflected on playing the character.
‘Working with these guys, it was amazing’.
Asked who Meena would murder first if she returned to the village, Paige did not hesitate in telling Stephen that her soap alter-ego would target sister Manpreet.
Should Manpreet start sleeping with one eye open?!
Also during the quiz, soap fans got another glimpse of what to expect during Corriedale, the crossover episode airing at the start of January.
The exciting trailer confirmed 11 more characters that will feature, including Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), Asha Alahan (Tanisha Gorey), Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) and Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine).
Eagle-eyed fans have already found plenty of clues in the teaser, including a worrying sign in a hospital room that seemingly confirms a Tate is going to end up needing some assistance from doctors.
Corriedale, which is one hour long, will air at 8pm on January 5. It will not drop earlier in the day on ITVX.
Half hour episodes of both Emmerdale and Corrie will be shown at 7pm and then 7:30pm – these two instalments will be available on ITVX.
