If it’s one thing Christmas in Soapland isn’t, it’s quiet, with its inhabitants serving up lashings of drama each festive season.
This year is set to be no different, with huge storylines set to grip EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks fans.
With Christmas fast approaching, each of the Big Four already have their festive scenes in the can, with details now starting to emerge.
From a death in the Dales, to wedding bells in Weatherfield, here’s everything we know so far…
EastEnders
Walford is still dealing with the fallout from Keanu Taylor’s (Danny Walters) murder in the Queen Vic last Christmas Day, bit it’s looking like another EastEnders favourite will be bumped off this year.
News of the BBC soap’s festive storyline was leaked after a cast member left a script on a train, which was later handed to The Sun newspaper.
The publication chose not to spoil the storyline by revealing the identity of the victim, but there are plenty of characters who are already in the frame.
We already know that Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) children Nancy (Maddy Hill) and Lee (Danny Hatchard) are set to return, after they were pictured filming funeral scenes last month, prompting speculation it might be their mother who could die.
Meanwhile, New Year could bring joy for Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) and Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), who previously revealed they’d chosen 1 January as their wedding day.
However, it has also been suggested the soap’s NY episodes will feature a ‘monstrous’ stunt, after director Christopher McGill shared numerous behind-the-scenes titbits during filming.
We also know that Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) will face a tragic Christmas when he begins to suffer suicidal thoughts following his year of devastation.
Crumbling through loneliness, it has been tipped that his brother Grant (Ross Kemp) could be about to stage a huge return.
Given EastEnders is building momentum in the lead up to its 40th anniversary in February, whatever bosses do have planned, its bound to be spectacular.
Emmerdale
Over in Emmerdale, the village is also likely to be rocked by a shock death, as there have been several hints at least one character will be killed off.
Soap boss Iain McLeod teased some ‘life or death jeopardy’ on Christmas Day, which fans during a recent set tour saw evidence of when they spotted a freshly dug grave on the church backlot.
They shared a picture of the grave on social media, and while it doesn’t give away much it is next to dearly-departed Val Pollard’s…
The soap is lining up a Christmas wedding for Val’s ex Eric Pollard (Chris Chittel) and Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop). But with reports Brenda is set to leave the show after 16 years, could she meet her end on her wedding day?
Other characters at risk include Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) and Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell), who are both also being written out…
It won’t be all doom and gloom, however, as Iain has also said there will be ‘a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day’.
He added: ‘There will be festive brilliance as we do every year – but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!’
Coronation Street
It’s been a busy few weeks on the cobbles, with the murder of evil Joel Deering (Calum Lill) and the hunt for his killer dominating the action in Coronation Street.
And while few specifics are yet known about what Christmas holds in store for the residents of Weatherfield, we do know we will be saying goodbye to one beloved character before the year is out.
Helen Worth is leaving her role as Gail Platt after 50 years on screen, with her exit expected be a key part of the ITV soap’s festive storylines.
Metro understands that cast and crew also filmed a wedding for Gail and her new on-screen partner Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson) in early October.
Actress Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria Connor, posted a picture of wedding celebrations at the Viaduct Bistro on Instagram. Alongside the picture she wrote: ‘1. #bts It was Xmas day in @coronationstreet .. no spoilers but Maria got a bit dressed up.’
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is set to welcome back two much-loved faces for Christmas as Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber Lane) and Nana McQueen (Diane Langton) head back to the village.
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They will be celebrating the festive season with the rest of the family, who have been through a tough time of late, amid Mercedes’ (Jennifer Metcalfe) battle with bowel cancer.
It has also been rumoured the pair’s return will help facilitate Theresa McQueen actress Jorgie Porter’s temporary exit from the Channel 4 soap, as she heads off on maternity leave.
Neighbours
While recent years have seen Neighbours to continue to air all year round, this year the Ramsay Street residents are taking a well-earned break over the festive period – both in the UK and Australia.
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A spokesperson for the soap said: ‘The last episode of the daily drama in 2024 will air on Thursday, 19th December 2024 and the series will return to screens on Monday, 6th January 2025.’
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