THE removal van pulls up outside Mark Fowler's old home at No 55 Victoria Street as Soapland's newest arrivals set up home in Walford.

The Ferreiras are the first Asian family in EastEnders (BBC1) since dearly departed but not sorely missed Sanjay and Gita. When the Slaters moved into the Square, the shock waves were high on the Richter scale and we can be sure that the Ferreiras will provide plenty of surprises too.

While the Slaters were female-dominated, the lads are in the majority in the newcomers with three sons and a daughter in the family, plus one of the son's best friends. No wonder those hot-blooded Walford males welcome an invitation to their house-warming party. They just don't expect to be greeted by the head of the family, Dan, in full Elvis Presley get-up.

There will be tears before bedtime as Dirty Dennis the Second warns off Ash Ferreira after he starts eyeing up Sharon. Romantic problems for thicky Ricky, as he fails to own up that Gus, not him, wrote the poetry for girlfriend Suzie. She must be as thick as Rick to believe for a moment the mechanic knows what an iambic pentameter is.

Trouble in store on the market as Kelly and Big Mo, a woman you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, finds that Adi and Kareena's stall is in direct competition to them. Expect pistols, or at least handbags, at dawn.

Meanwhile, Martin the tallest man in Soapland continues his wicked, wicked ways. Clearly his time inside has proved educational, not in making him see the error of his ways but teaching him the tricks of the criminal trade. Thanks to his bad behaviour Derek loses his job.

That Tracy Barlow in Coronation Street (ITV1) is a scheming little minx too. She fancies getting her hands on elderly and wealthy Wally's wallet, and needs little persuasion to stay the night after a dip in his pool. Their cosy set-up is disturbed by surprise visitors. Please Wally, marry the tiresome girl and take her to live somewhere well away from Weatherfield.

Foreign travel does wonders for people. Look at devious Dev. He came back from India with a beard and a marriage proposal for Sunita. She's suspicious of his motives - wise girl - and needs convincing his offer is genuine.

Round at Underworld, embezzlers Joe and his moll Karen prepare their final raid on the company funds. A slight problem comes when owner Mike Baldwin wants to do a stocktake. If he goes there, he'll find the cupboard is bare, thanks to the pair's thieving.

Charity, Cain and Debbie, the daughter who was given away, continue to play unhappy families in Emmerdale (ITV1). Relations deteriorate as someone gets a good slapping. With Charity and Cain as parents, hopes that Debbie will turn out right are pretty slim.

Most of Emmerdale's young folk are going through tough times. Danny feels neglected - all go "aaahhh" - because girlfriend Ollie is busy revising. Andy is forced to borrow money from brother Robert, presumably at an extortionate rate of interest.

The Dingles aren't enjoying the sweet smell of success. More the unsweet smell of excess, judging by the pong coming from Shadrach's smelly trainers. Call in the environmental health people immediately.

Betty and Ashley the vicar are worried about pensioner Edna's state of mind. So am I. She never takes off her hat. The pressure must be causing all sorts of head problems. No wonder she's always pursing her lips and being a killjoy.