Emmerdale spoilers

EMMERDALE and Coronation Street have officially begun filming crossover episodes in a historic first for ITV.

ITV has pulled off the ultimate soap shocker with the first-ever Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover – and it’s been called Corriedale.

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Cameras are rolling on this one-off extravaganza, bringing together the nation’s favourite telly titans.

Expect Weatherfield’s lot to collide with their Yorkshire neighbours in a whirlwind hour of drama, secrets, and epic soap action.

Fans are already buzzing about what could go wrong… or right!

The two soaps are going all out, with production teams cooking up a jaw-dropping stunt that promises life-changing consequences for the characters involved.

ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain Macleod said: “It’s beyond exciting that filming is underway on Corriedale.

“There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites and the images coming out of the shoot are utterly spectacular.

“And that’s before we’ve even got to all the brilliant transpennine interactions between characters from the different shows!

“As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year.

“It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable.”

There will also be an interactive twist for fans to determine one part of the episode.

A vote will be opened allowing soap fans to choose which Emmerdale and Coronation Street character will share a carefully-written scene together as part of the episode.

Corriedale is set to hit screens on ITV and YouTube in early 2026 – kicking off the brand-new soap power hour.

From then on, Emmerdale will roll out at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm, every weekday in a double dose of drama.

The schedule change sees both soaps lose one episode a week amid dwindling ratings.

Biggest soap stunts

By Conor O’Brien

Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters’ lives.

Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.

CORONATION STREET

• Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash – and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
• Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.

EASTENDERS

• Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap – she returned as a guest before the character’s death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
• Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus – the 764 to Barking – lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).

EMMERDALE

• James Barton’s death (2016): Interestingly about James’ (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.

EMMERDALE has been hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints regarding a ‘violent and tasteless’ soap death.

Viewers were left heartbroken when killer John Sugden claimed his latest victim.

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The August 21 episode saw Mackenzie Boyd shot in the back with an arrow.

The mechanic had worked out that John had killed Nate Robinson months ago.

Mackenzie fled into the woods, but John prevented his escape by firing an arrow at his back.

A final flashback saw John throw a heavy rock down at a helpless Mackenzie.

Viewers later saw blood stains in John’s van and a body covered by a sheet – seemingly confirming Mackenzie’s death.

The latest data shows Ofcom received 158 complaints following the grisly scenes.

After John’s brutal actions played out, fans soon took to X to complain.

One wrote: “Love emmerdale but this all seemed a bit much with the violence and the crossbow seemed in bad taste what with the recent real life tragedies.”

Another added: “@ofcom complaints incoming and this time you take action.”

A third said: “The writers have really crossed line bow and arrow after crossbow killings not right.”

A fourth chimed in: “Isn’t this a tad violent for early evening.”

While a fifth remarked: “A bit distasteful isn’t it having a serial killer kill someone with a bow and arrow havent you got any compassion for a presenter who lost his entire family by a bow and Arrow in real life.”

It came after the real life murder of three people by crossbow killer Kyle Clifford in July of last year.

 The Sun previously revealed that Lawrence Robb, who played Mackenzie, had filmed devastating murder scenes for his character.

A source said at the time: “The scenes are going to be really harrowing for fans to watch.

“Mackenzie has been in so many scrapes and dangerous positions but this time it looks like he’s bitten off more than he can chew. 

“Viewers will be on the edges of their seats watching what happens.”

Some fans believe Mackenzie may still be alive – as his corpse was not directly shown.

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and ITVX.

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THERE’LL be champagne corks popping in The Woolpack as Emmerdale’s beloved barmaid Bernice Blackstock returns to roost.

The Sun can reveal actress Samantha Giles is making a return to the ITV soap after two years away.

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But fans will have to soak up every minute of her scenes, as she won’t be back for long.

Bernice is back in the Dales for Gabby and Vinny’s wedding and filming is due to start in a couple of weeks.

A source said: “Everything is being kept very hush hush but of course Bernice’s return is a big deal as one of the soap’s most loved characters.

“And Samantha being back among the cast is a real win too, as everyone loves working with her.”

Samantha first began on Emmerdale in November 1998 until she left in April 2002.

But she was back again for two further stints, once in 2004 and then again in 2023.

She left two years ago to pursue other opportunities, including a theatre production of The Syndicate.

During an interview at the time Samatha, was asked if she’d return to Emmerdale.

She replied: “I don’t feel I’d want to go back to Emmerdale at the moment.

“I’m enjoying doing other things, and the show changes.

“I haven’t had a chance to see what’s going on with the show, so I don’t know whether Bernice would fit into it at the moment.

“Who knows? They might not want the character to come back.

“I don’t think they’ve killed her or anything – they could still do that.

“It’s something that’s there for the future possibly, or not.

“Never say never is what I’m saying.

“For now, I’m enjoying doing lots of different things.”

DOUGRAY PLAYS IT SCHOOL

DOUGRAY SCOTT has been confirmed as the leading man in new BBC drama Crookhaven.

In the series – based on the book of the same name by JJ Arcanjo – the Vigil actor plays Caspian Lockett, the headmaster of a school for young criminals.

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Adolescence star Amari Bacchus will lead the cast of weird and wonderful schoolkids, known as Crooklings, who are trained to use their skills to be a force for good when they are eventually released into the world.

Industry actress Claire Forlani will play Lockett’s wife Carmen, and will be joined on screen by Slow Horses’ Naomi Wirthner and The Pembrokeshire Murders’ Keith Allen.

The show is expected to make its debut on BBC iPlayer early next year.

HOLLY TO RETURN? YOU BET!

STEPHEN MULHERN will be joined by a very familiar face as You Bet! travels up and down the country.

Holly Willoughby, who quit as co-host due to scheduling conflicts, will return as a celebrity guest.

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She will be joined by Alison Hammond, Rob Beckett, Judi Love, Aj Odudu, Josh Widdicombe and Josie Gibson for the ITV show’s upcoming second series.

Babatunde Aleshe, Alesha Dixon, Danny Jones, Alex Brooker, Nick Mohammed and soap brothers Adam and Ryan Thomas will also compete.

Stephen said: “I’m thrilled that You Bet! is back – and this time we’re hitting the road.

“Each week I’ll be joined by a top celeb panel as our challengers take on some brilliantly bonkers and amazing challenges.”

FANTASY WOLVES GoT REAL

MOST Game Of Thrones fans will have assumed dire wolves were just mythical creatures when they appeared as pets on the HBO fantasy series.

But the animals are real and were extinct – until now.

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Boffins at US biosciences company Colossal Bioscience used 73,000-year-old DNA to bring the beasts back to life last year.

And nobody was more surprised than GoT star Sophie Turner.

Speaking with Colossal’s CEO Ben Lamm, the actress, who played Sansa , joked: “I thought they weren’t real, so when are the dragons coming?”

The male wolves, named Romulus and Remus, are growing bigger by the day and are about to get company.

Ben added: “We’re about to introduce the girl, Khaleesi, into the pack.

MORE IN STORE FOR NICK

NICK FROST might be having some awkward conversations on the set of the new Harry Potter TV show if he bumps into JK Rowling.

The comedian will play Hagrid in the HBO adaptation, but later this month he will also take centre stage in a new comedy that is unlikely to appeal to JK, who is outspoken about her views on trans issues.

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Nick will star in six-parter Transaction, airing weekly from June 24 on ITV2 then available on ITVX.

As store manager Simon, Nick appears alongside Liv played by Jordan Grey, who is described as “a transgender egomaniac” working the night shift in a supermarket.

I exclusively revealed last year that Shaun Of The Dead star Nick would be making the show for ITV alongside Jordan who found fame as a contestant on The Voice in 2016.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

AN EastEnders legend has joined Emmerdale as a ‘dark and villainous’ new character.

The ITV soap has snapped up Joe Absolom, whose past work includes a three-year run in EastEnders.

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Joe, 46, is joining Emmerdale this summer, playing the role of newcomer Ray,.

Introduced as old acquaintance of Mackenzie’s (Laurence Robb), Ray arrives at the farm claiming to be selling farm machinery.

But it’s not long before the character’s true, drug dealing ways come to light.

While he possesses a calm and collected exterior, it’s clear a menacing strike hides just below the surface.

Discussing his new role, Joe said: “Well what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale!

“It’s an iconic show and I’m grateful to be part of it.”

He added: “I can’t wait to see what’s in stock for Ray!” 

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw says: “We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast.

“It’s fantastic to have such a high calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray.

“Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he’s capable of.”

Joe played the regular role of Matthew Rose in EastEnders from 1997 to 2000.

In the character’s most prominent storyline, Matthew was framed for murder and wrongfully imprisoned.

Joe is also well-known as Al Large in Doc Martin and Andy Warren in The Bay.

He recently starred in ITV crime drama Code of Silence, featuring Rose Ayling-Ellis in the lead role.

Emmerdale airs 7.30pm, weeknights on ITV1 and STV or from 7.00am on ITVX and STV Player. 

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CORONATION Street and Emmerdale are set to join forces for the very first time next year in an epic crossover episode.

The unmissable stunt will see both soaps side-by-side for the first time, with consequences for the residents of both the Dales and Weatherfield.

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But it’s not the first time stars of the shows have appeared in both soaps – many have crossed over several times.

Here’s a list of soap stars that have made their presence known in both Corrie and Emmerdale:

Claire King 

Claire King played the role of Kim Tate in Emmerdale from 1989 until 1999. She then took on the role of Erica Holroyd in Corrie from 2014 until 2017. 

In September 2018, Claire reprised her role as Kim Tate in Emmerdale after nearly 20 years away, for a special week of episodes in October 2018. She then returned permanently in 2019. 

She is known as one of the show’s most iconic characters.

Daniel Brocklebank

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Daniel played the role of Ivan Jones in Emmerdale from 2005 to 2006, appearing in 107 episodes in total. 

Ivan was originally introduced as a minor role in a storyline about the character of Jarvis Skelton and was only meant to appear in three episodes.

But he was kept on and was seen embarking on a relationship with Paul Lambert, the brother of Nicola King.

More recently, Daniel took on the role of Billy Mayhew in Corrie in 2014 and has remained a regular on the soap ever since.

He takes on the role as vicar at Emily Bishop’s parish and dates barman Sean Tully on the soap.

Chris Bisson

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Chis is most known for his roles as Vikram Desai in Corrie from 1999 to 2002 and Jai Sharma in Emmerdale, which he joined in 2009. 

In Corrie, he portrayed Vikram, the cousin of Dev Alahan, but after a four-year stint, he decided to leave the show to relocate to Mumbai. 

In Emmerdale, Chris plays businessman Jai, who has taken on various storylines, including a bitter split from his wife Laurel. 

Rebecca Sarker

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Rebecca played the role of Nita Desai in Corrie from 1999 to 2000. As her first acting role, she starred alongside now co-star Chris Bisson, who played her on-screen brother Vikram Desai.

In her role, she was seen managing the Corner Shop and having a fling with Steve. 

She has since played Manpreet Sharma in Emmerdale from July 2018. 

Taking on the role as the village doctor, she has been at the centre of many major storylines, including being the sister of serial killer Meena Jutla. 

Zoe Henry

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Zoe is most known for playing the role of Rhona Goskirk in Emmerdale but many forget that she also appeared on Corrie as Casey Carswell between March and September 2007. 

Zoe first showed up on the cobbles in 1998 as Log Thwaite, Spider Nugent’s vegan girlfriend.

Despite just appearing in six episodes, Zoe’s character made quite the impression, especially when Toyah Battersby tricked her into eating a bacon sandwich.

This ultimately led to Spider breaking up with her.

In 2007 she returned as Casey Carswell, who became friends with Claire Peacock before having an affair with Claire’s husband, Ashley.

Meanwhile on Emmerdale, Zoe’s character is currently involved in a dramatic storyline.

Rhona’s stepdaughter April Windsor suddenly went missing on Christmas Day.

After her family was left fearing that she was dead for weeks, police discovered CCTV footage of her in Leeds.

It is still unclear what happened to the girl, and viewers are worried her mysterious disappearance may be the result of a kidnapping.

Sally Ann Matthews

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Sally Ann is known for playing Jenny Bradley, daughter of the villainous Alan Bradley, in Corrie, from 1986 to 1991.

She then joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2005 as farmers wife Sandra Briggs, but left less than a year later.

In 2015, she returned to Corrie as Jenny. 

Ryan Prescott

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Ryan is known for playing Ryan Connor in Corrie and Flynn Buchanan in Emmerdale. 

Ryan joined Corrie in 2018 and is part of a major storyline amid the acid attack on the soap and is stuck in a love triangle alongside Daisy Midgeley.

Before this he had his first big soap role in Emmerdale in 2011, Ryan played Flynn Buchanan, a love interest for Aaron Dingle.

The soap first, which will be broadcast in January 2026, teases that characters from both shows will depart and exciting new faces will join as the cast from each of the long-running ITV programmes come face-to-face for the first time.

The hour-long episode is to mark the start of the new ‘soap power hour’ – a schedule change taking hold from early next year.

Emmerdale and Corrie will each broadcast a 30-minute episode every-day back-to-back as part of the new programming changes with the huge stunt set to kickstart it all.

ITV tease that the one-off mash-up will have “everlasting consequences for everyone involved” and will rock Weatherfield and the Dales forever.

Both shows producers, scriptwriters and production teams have worked together to create the record-breaking episode with the impact then being felt as both programmes return to their own hubs for months to come.

Bosses from both shows also say that whilst the soaps will only be seen on-screen together for the one episode, the communities will be forever linked as a result of the as-yet undisclosed stunt.

There will also be an interactive twist for fans to determine one part of the episode.

A vote will be opened allowing soap fans to choose which Emmerdale and Coronation Street character will share a carefully-written scene together as part of the episode.

The schedule change sees both soaps lose one episode a week amid dwindling ratings.

Both programmes currently enjoy six outings a week but this will be down to just five following the epic stunt episode.

Emmerdale will air at 8pm followed by new episodes of Corrie at 8:30pm.

The programmes will continue to upload their episodes to ITVX at 7am each morning.

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