Radio Times

The demented, scorned or vengeful woman is no stranger to storytelling, from fairy tale to Greek myth to gothic novel. And she's perfectly personified by scheming Sally in Emmerdale, who's after a lot more than Christian charity from vicar Ashley.

But the soap vixen template was set by two stars who never set foot in the Dales, says Christine Geraghty, professor of film and television studies at the University of Glasgow - Fatal Attraction's Alex Forrest and Dynasty's Alexis Colby. Alex was the original bunnyboiler who, scorned by her married lover, took revenge on his children's pet, while vengeance was at the heart of Dynasty, reckons Geraghty. "And it was different from the petty feuds we'd seen in British soaps till then."

So let's salute the women who have followed - soap's top bunny-boilers (whether misogyny played a part in their creation is a question for another week, of course).

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And if you think we've missed anyone out, or want to leap to the defence of one of the ladies on our list, please let us know…

1. Clare Devine, Hollyoaks, 2005-9

Devine by name, devilish by nature, Clare married Max for his money and then repeatedly tried to kill him for it. She made enemies easily, notably Warren and Justin, and when she was pushed over a balcony and almost killed, the list of suspects was longer than the electoral roll.

Faked her own death before returning to wreak (more) revenge on her foes, a decision that culminated in her arrest. But you get the feeling she'll be back…

2. Tracy Barlow, Coronation Street, 2002-7

Qualifying as much as a soap villain as a bunny-boiler, grown-up Tracy in her final incarnation displayed enough deranged behaviour to have Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail bounding for the hills.

Culminating in the murder of her lover Charlie (who deserved it, obviously), Tracy was capable of a rage so hot that, by comparison, the fires of hell were chilly. I blame Ken and Deirdre.

3. Dr May Wright, EastEnders, 2006-8

A prime example of a sexist stereotype: a woman driven beyond distraction by her frustrated desire to be a mother. May first tried to buy Dawn's unborn child, whose father was Dr May's husband, then to kidnap Dawn to steal the baby.

Later she tried again, holding the Millers hostage and killing herself when she blew up their house. Given the state of the place, it did the Square a favour.

4. Maya Sharma, Coronation Street, 2003-4

While we might question the object of Maya's fixation - Dev, for heaven's sake? - there's no denying her single-mindedness.

After trashing his flat and attempting to sabotage his marriage to Sunita by stealing her identity and marrying several asylum seekers, Maya tied the pair up at the corner shop, then set it alight. As ever in soap, the middle classes are trouble - Maya was a solicitor.

5. Lydia Hart, Hollyoaks, 2009-

So jealous of her girlfriend Sarah's relationship with old flame Zoe was Lydia that she sabotaged the parachute of her rival - only to discover that, due to a mix-up, Sarah had taken the faulty 'chute and plummeted to her death. Oops.

Having framed Zoe, Lydia is now playing the victim… but for how long can she repress her murderous impulses? Give it till new year.

6. Stella Crawford, EastEnders, 2006-7

Anyone who falls in love with Phil Mitchell needs her head examined and, sure enough, Stella proved to be a basket-case.

Abusing Ben mentally and physically while manipulating his dad, Stella got Phil all the way up the aisle before he found out how wicked young Ben's wannabe stepmother was. In a lucky escape for everyone, not least us, she threw herself off a building to her death.

7. Ronnie Mitchell, EastEnders, 2007-

Initially the more sensible of the Mitchell sisters, Ronnie has spiralled into instability since daughter Danielle's death, becoming E20's own succubus, trying to trick any man into getting her pregnant.

So far she's tried Jack, Ryan, Joel and Owen. Might we suggest she tries Darren Miller?

8. Chloe Atkinson, Emmerdale, 2000-5

Mercenary and malicious, conniving Chloe caused mayhem in the Dales by having an affair with her boyfriend's best friend, endangering a baby's life, sending poison pen letters to herself and faking a pregnancy to ensnare a man.

With as much contempt for women as she had lust for men, Chloe was the very model of a treacherous woman.

9. Carmel Finnan, Coronation Street, 1992-3

The Platts' "nanny from hell" - and another example, says Geraghty, of Hollywood's influence, this time the 1992 film The Hand That Rocks the Cradle - was a student nurse who became obsessed with Martin Platt, moved into Number 8 and set about trying to destroy the family.

Claiming she was pregnant, Carmel also tried to kidnap David. So, she wasn't all bad.

10. Sarah Cairns, EastEnders, 2004

Rare is the bunny-boiler who redeems herself and remains in a soap after deranged behaviour. If she's not a regular on her way to being written out, she's a guest who appears, causes havoc, and then vanishes again.

Sarah was one such, a barmaid in E20 who stalked, harassed and finally stabbed Martin Fowler when he refused to dump Sonia. Last heard of in an institution.