All My Children
News

Rumor is now fact:

After taking a "vacation" from Guiding Light to job-hunt, Beth Ehlers has been confirmed as joining the cast of All My Children. Insiders said as much to Soap Opera Weekly.

We hear that Ehlers will take on the role of Liza Colby beginning this summer. She'll be placed in a love triangle with former Guiding Light spouse Ricky Paull Goldin (ex-Gus; now Jake) and Michael E. Knight (Tad). This is subject to change.

Daytime Confidential has received an anonymous tip from someone claiming to be on the set of All My Children, one that has delivered exciting news:

Beth Ehlers (Harley, Guiding Light) has indeed signed on to recreate the role of Adam Chandler's illegitimate daughter Hayley Vaughan Santos.

We'll have more on this All My Children news item as more facts come in about it.

Warning: All My Children spoilers ahead!

Starting next week - and continuing sporadically for the next two months - Cady McClain reprises the role of Dixie. The actress says this story line should give Tad and Dixie fans the closure they've been looking for.

"I can't undo the past, but I can participate in the creation of a better present," she told the New York Daily News. "This is a good show with a lot of good people working on it. I am pleased to have been asked to return, and to have the public recognition that a mistake was made. How many times in life does that happen? I wasn't asking or expecting that, mind you, but it's really nice."

Of course, fans can't rule out a permanent return someday if ratings for All My Children rise with Dixie's return. After all, Jesse Hubbard just made a triumphant return 20 years after being killed.

"Even if they cut your head off on camera, you can come back," McClain said with a laugh. "Seriously, I think the fact that they just brought back Jesse makes things trickier, so I understand why this might not happen now. But it doesn't mean it will never happen. Even if doesn't, I'm at peace. It's so very nice to have this moment. I'm grateful for it."

What can you expect next week on All My Children? Here are a few hints...

• Jake is left scarred and haunted by nightmares.

• Aidan (Aiden Turner, pictured) is shocked when Greenlee admits she doesn't want children.

• Adam sees Dixie as one of the flight attendants on a plane

• Tad thinks he's getting close to finding Kate.

What can you expect to see on next week's All My Children? We're so glad you asked!

• Adam is haunted by Dixie.

• Aidan joins Jake (Ricky Paull Goldin, pictured) as a hostage.

• Tad struggles to find Kate.

• Opal joins the fight to free Erica (Susan Lucci).

Sydney Penny is once again leaving her role as Julia on All My Children.

She originally portrayed the role from 1993 to 1996, returning a few times before coming back on contract in 2005. The plan right now is the following: Once Kathy is revealed to be actually be Katie, Julia will be written out of the show.

Will you miss Penny on All My Children?

In her most recent MySpace blog, Eden Riegel comments about a possible return to All My Children...

It's just one more week (and one day) until the premier of "Imaginary Bitches." I can't wait for you guys to see what we've been working on. Man, I hope you like it!!

I love reading all your emails and messages, so thank you so much, and keep 'em coming!

A lot of you have asked me when I will be on All My Children again. But, unfortunately, I just don't know. I agree that it's weird that Binx hasn't visited her mama in the clink. And nothing would make me happier than hopping on the Cambias jet, slipping a nail file in a cake, and showing some "Kane-woman" support to her in this awful time. I really hope I get the chance to drop in because I am sure nothing could keep Bianca away.

Thanks, again, for all your support. I hope you like IB!
XO
Eden

As loyal soap opera fans know by now, Jake Martin resurfaces on All My Children next week. He's a wounded hostage in Darfur, Sudan, now played by Ricky Paull Goldin (pictured).

"Jake is found on a dirt floor, a hostage of rebel fighters," Goldin said to The New York Daily News of his new character, who went to Africa in 2003 as a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders.

"They find out this Dr. Martin guy is funded by the high-profile Cambias Corporation, which has very deep pockets. Since they need money, they figure, 'Let's kidnap him and demand a ransom of $5 million.'"

Word gets back to Cambias honcho Zach Slater, who dispatches new head of security Aidan Devane to Africa to rescue Jake.

"The thing that's cool about Jake is, he's been in this war-torn country, so he's used to this stuff," says Goldin. "He's the type of guy who could be operating on somebody and have a bomb go off 100 feet away. He might flinch, but he'll keep working."

Read more about this AMC story line now.

Take this, Scoop Dogg!

While that famous actor will be appearing on One Life to Live next month, Ne-Yo will be doing the same on All My Children.

The singer-songwriter will perform his songs "Closer and Stop This World" during an guest stint set to air May 21 and May 22. The appearance will take place during the long anticipated second wedding of Angie and Jesse Hubbard.

Of course, this is All My Children; the wedding won't go according to plan. Following the Grammy winner's performance at the reception, the bride will be kidnapped and taken away on a helicopter. That's always problematic.

Here's a look at next week's All My Children episodes and story lines...

• Kendall begins to believe that she and Zach have a future.

• Zach sends Aidan to Darfur to rescue Jake Martin (Ricky Paull Goldin, pictured).

• Angie welcomes daughter Cassandra.

• Erica (Susan Lucci) cracks under the pressure of solitary confinement.