We hate to say the C word, but it’s really not that long until Christmas. And in the soap world, that means loads of exciting stories, explosive exits, surprise arrivals, and lots and lots of drama.
In EastEnders, we’re all looking forward to Abi and Lauren Branning’s departure. After Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell drowned in a hotel swimming pool last festive season, the soap’s got a lot to live up to when it comes to seeing off sisters. So how will the Branning siblings say goodbye?
Dad Max is also bound to be at the centre of the drama in Walford this Christmas. He’s all mixed up in James Willmott-Brown’s plot to take revenge on just about everyone.
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With things (finally!) stepping up a gear, we’re guessing Willmott-Brown’s evil plan will all fall into place right around December 25.
Ben Mitchell’s leaving Walford soon, much to our disappointment. With Ben on the edge of Willmott-Brown’s plot thanks to his romance with son Luke, could he get mixed up in things too?
And what about dad Phil? We’ve heard rumours he’s going to be going back to his criminal roots very soon – will he be using his old contacts to get rid of Willmott-Brown (we hope so!).
Over in Corrie, it’s all about Phelan and Eileen. We’ve got an inkling his poor misguided missus might finally see evil Pat’s true colours this Christmas – and frankly it can’t happen soon enough for us. Though we’re not happy about the rumours that Phelan could turn on Eileen and attack her.
Also revealing some festive secrets will be Billy the vicar, who seems to be on the brink of losing everything – due to his connection to the death of Peter Barlow’s sister and Adam’s mum, Susan, (keep up).
And then there’s Gary Windass, who’s heading off on an ill-fated trip to Ukraine where he’s set to be killed off-screen.
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How will pregnant Nicola react? And what about Gary’s girlfriend Sarah Platt?
The big news in Emmerdale this Christmas is Robron (yay!). The show’s Christmas episode is rumoured to be virtually a Robron ‘single-strander’ – though it will have a surprise cameo appearance from a mystery guest.
Producer Iain MacLeod says it’s the weirdest episode Emmerdale has done – which is saying something!
Finally, in Hollyoaks, it’s all about the Cunninghams at Christmas. Plus Courtney has her baby, and we see the welcome return of DS Armstrong.
“It’s going to be a big, colourful, camp treat,” says producer Bryan Kirkwood.