CHEQUE this – Syed is stealing from his brother in EastEnders (BBC1). Not so much Syed as Slyed as he sneakily writes a cheque using Tamwar’s cheque book. It might well bounce like an Andy Murray tennis ball because Tam’s having money troubles too.

Syed needs cash because Michael has reneged on a business deal that wife Janine did with him for cleaning materials. With Janine performing a disappearing act, Michael refuses to pay up for stuff that Syed has acquired, shall we say, dodgily.

He was hoping to clean up with the cleaning materials and help pay for his upcoming wedding to boyfriend Christian.

As Christian soldiers on with preparations, even suggesting they bring the wedding date forward, Syed gets his hands on Tam’s cheque book and withdraws £10,000.

Little does he know that Tam hasn’t paid the mortgage on the family restaurant, the Argee Bargee, for several months.

Syed hopes stealing from his brother will give him time to raise the money he needs although his track record isn’t good. In the past he stole from the family business and left them bankrupt. History is repeating itself.

Michael has problems other than financial ones. Janine has left him holding the baby, or Scarlett as she’s called. Michael pretends that his missus hasn’t deserted him, just gone away for a bit (a bit of what, you may well ask).

Michael just isn’t able to cope with family and financial commitments. He’s juggling the baby and the business – and I wouldn’t want him to drop the former.

Another baby, Lexi, is causing worries for teenage single mum Lola. Just before her new social worker arrives, she runs out of nappies (for the baby, not granddad Silly Billy) and rushes out to get some more. Billy decides to improvise and uses a tea towel.

This doesn’t set a good impression as the social worker arrives to find a baby wrapped in a tea towel. How fortunate that Silly Billy isn’t trying to dry the washing up at the same time.

The worry for Amy in Emmerdale (ITV1) is her mother. Kerry has been nothing but trouble ever since she rolled up in the village in search of the daughter she gave away as a baby. Now she’s forgotten to have her insulin injection and, being a diabetic, has slipped into a coma. At least, it shuts her up for a while.

Amy dashes back from the big city when she hears the news. But she’s determined enough is enough and that even if her mother recovers she’s going to be booted out of the village. Carl, the tallest man in soap, is a man scorned. He’s never forgiven Chastity for jilting him at the altar, so now he knows the identity of her secret lover – that would be Cameron – he’s determined to be thoroughly nasty and blackmail him. Hand over £30,000 or I’ll tell Chas’s fiance what’s happening, demands Carl.

Coronation Street (ITV1) is seeing another unlikely couple pucker up – Kirk and Beth.

Kirk, for reason best known to him (and because he’s stupid) reckons Beth is the perfect girl for him. To be honest, any girl would be perfect. After he saves her from an internet date (who turns out to be a nasty piece of work), the pair bond over a mutual interest – disastrous love lives.