Graham

The soaps air huge scenes next week across Emmerdale, Coronation Street, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Home and Away, including secrets, confessions, returns and sad goodbyes

There’s all kinds of drama on the soaps next week, with a death confession, a shock return and a sad goodbye.

Emmerdale airs a dramatic comeback for not-so-dead Graham Foster, leaving residents reeling, while there’s also a secret. On Coronation Street, residents say a sad goodbye to Billy Mayhew – but will Theo Silverton confess?

On EastEnders, there’s a surprise return for one character after years offscreen. Exits are teased too, and Joel Marshall is in court.

Over on Hollyoaks, Dodger Savage is left making an emotional confession. On Home and Away, fans will see a heartwarming moment for two residents.

READ MORE: Emmerdale favourite breaks silence on return after six years and defends fake death plotREAD MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘know’ who Ray’s killer is after flashback – and it’s not Arthur

Emmerdale

Graham makes his big return to the village, six years after his apparent demise. Rhona’s stopped in her tracks when her ex shows up at the vet surgery. Rhona has been trying to contact him but before she can confront him, Joe shows up, causing Graham to hide.

Joe mentions that he thought he saw Graham in the village, and Graham’s rattled to find out Joe is now close with Kim. Soon, both Kim and Joe get the shock of their lives when Graham turns up to Home Farm.

Paddy learns the police are keen to speak to Celia about Ray’s murder, and soon tells Dylan the news. Victoria’s still struggling in the aftermath of killing John, as Robert tries to make her see she did the right thing.

Will she be able to move forward knowing she’s a killer? Laurel feels she’s turned a corner in her relationship with Arthur, unaware that he’s hiding something. As Arthur hides Ray’s cash, only for April to grow suspicious. Arthur soon feels guilty about spending the cash, knowing what Ray put April and others through.

Coronation Street

Sam is suspicious when Leanne shows Megan a boy’s tracksuit top she found in the flat and Megan claims it is Daniel’s. When Sam asks Will if something is going on between Megan and Lee, Will flees and soon, he warns Megan that Sam is onto them, and so she takes action.

Summer’s stolen rucksack is returned to her, and she’s amazed to see it contains Paul’s missing ashes. She soon spirals, and Roy finds her drunk.

Abi warns Jodie away from Carl, and Maggie lets slip how Leanne offered to buy her out of the Rovers using the money from her share of Speed Daal, and Alya’s seething. Theo struggles with his guilt over Billy’s death as his funeral arrives.

Theo approaches Billy’s coffin and tells him how sorry he is for leaving him to die, but is someone listening in? Debbie has a gesture for Todd, Bernie has a plan and Roy confides in Mary about Alice.

Roy’s soon stunned when a man named Mal arrives claiming to be Alice’s husband. Ryan faces danger when two masked robbers approach him at the hotel, armed with a claw hammer. Carl arrives, but can he help Ryan?

EastEnders

Mark Jr is back in Walford, and he soon leaves Vicki, Phil and Sam demanding answers. Lying about his reasons for being back, he wastes no time in telling Phil the truth.

Jasmine is still eager to leave the Square, and Max discovers she’s been lying about her statement to the police. As Vicki opens up to Zack about Joel’s looming trial, she’s grateful for his support.

Her head a mess, she heads to court the next day with Ross and Mark, as well as Zack. Joel tries to put on a front as Tommy gives evidence, while Vicki is soon rushing out of court. As court resumes, emotions run high for Vicki and Avani.

When Joel requests a visitor, it doesn’t go well and things take an interesting turn. Ravi vows to support Avani, but he’s soon left guilty when he fails to show up for his daughter.

When Kat finds out about Jasmine’s plot to flee from Oscar, she’s saddened as Patrick accuses her of putting too much pressure on her to help free Zoe from prison.

George prepares to tell Elaine about Nicola’s pregnancy amid her hopes of a reunion, only fuelled by Bea suggesting he may want her back. Elaine is soon put straight, leading to her lashing out at Ian.

When Elaine realises Ian has retaliated she plots revenge, but things get out of hand. The Beales are not in a forgiving mood, as Ian vows to close Peacock Palace. Ravi and Priya are relieved when Nugget decides to go back to Sixth Form.

Hollyoaks

Sensing Dodger pulling away, Theresa gently questions whether something is wrong, but he continues to hide behind excuses. Mercedes arrives home with Warren once again stepping in to support her. Later, Theresa opens up to Mercedes, revealing how Warren helped her through her darkest moments.

A clash between Dodger and Warren sees him asking Theresa if their relationship is okay. She reassures him and encourages honesty between them.

When Warren questions his changed behaviour since Liverpool, Dodger breaks down and reveals the truth to everyone there, that he was beaten and raped. Warren soon makes a phone call.

Dodger tells Theresa that it’s going to take some time for him to be intimate but she’s willing to wait. Cleo is overwhelmed by Joseph’s cries, while Sienna gives her the cold shoulder after finding out that she knew Dodger had been raped. Dodger and Theresa walk in on Cleo and Sienna arguing.

Events take a worrying turn when Sienna arrives home to Cleo asleep on the couch and finds Joseph having a seizure. As the pair face turmoil, Misbah and Gemma worry that Cleo might have suffered from a postpartum psychosis episode and harmed Joseph.

Also next week, with their hidden history, tensions simmer between Warren and Tinhead. Later, Tinhead is deleting texts demanding money coming from a mysterious sender.

Mercedes makes friends with fellow patient Nikki Shadwick. In the village, Jenson demands his money back from Tinhead or he will tell Warren what he’s done. As Warren turns up, what will happen?

Elsewhere, Mercedes is feeling restless at the rehab clinic and fellow patient Nikki invites her to a yoga session, Mercedes panics when Nikki tells her tomorrow her family are coming in for a group therapy session.

Home and Away

Jo and Eddie enjoy their date, while Remi has a plea for Bree. Bree is left pondering, and soon leaves him heartbroken. David has a request for Jo, leading to her opening up to Lacey.

Leah apologises to Lacey for blaming her for Theo’s death, and the pair bond. David struggles to contain his emotions as he records a raw and powerful piece to camera, capturing the immense toll Wendell’s actions have had on him and his family.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Hollyoaks is available to stream on Channel 4’s streaming service now, while it also airs Mondays to Wednesdays on E4 at 7PM.

Home and Away is available to stream from 6am weekdays, with double bill episodes airing from 6pm on 5Star. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Emmerdale aired a comeback for a past character on the ITV soap on Friday, linked to the return of Graham Foster as there was a new twist linked to his fake death

There was a familiar face on Emmerdale on Friday night, leading to another twist linked to Graham Foster.

Graham returned from the dead after six years during the Corriedale crossover earlier this month. It was confirmed that he was alive, despite fans seeing him killed off in 2020 by Pierce Harris.

We still don’t know what happened all those years ago, and when he may be back on the show for good. But it seems he had help to fake his death, and on Friday we may have seen who that was.

DI Dent appeared in scenes with Joe Tate, after he grew suspicious about his sighting of Graham. He’d been injured in the Corriedale crash and when he was in hospital, he saw someone outside his room that he believed to be Graham.

READ MORE: Emmerdale fans concerned as missing character is replaced amid Ray’s murderREAD MORE: EastEnders fans ‘rumble’ who actually killed Anthony – but it’s not Jasmine

It was him, but Joe believed he was imagining things. He hasn’t been able to let it go though and he contacted a private investigator, hoping to uncover the truth.

When he met with the PI on Friday, also there was DI Dent. Fans will recognise the detective, played by actress Linda Armstrong, as she appeared on the soap back in 2020.

She was one of the officers investigating Graham’s murder, helping to put away his apparent killer Pierce Harris. She left the show months later, and has not been in the village since.

Dent told Joe that Graham was very much dead, and had been for six years. She revealed how she’d been the one to see his body after he was found, and that she also saw him in the morgue.

Joe took her word for it and decided Graham had to be dead after all. But when they left, Dent was seen in her car making a rather cryptic phone call.

It wasn’t clear who she was speaking with, but it was clear some sort of cover-up was in play. She told the person the job was done, and that Joe had been told what he needed to hear.

So what exactly is she covering up, and why is she lying to Joe? Is it Graham she was talking to, or somebody else that doesn’t want anyone to know he’s still alive?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Emmerdale Producer Laura Shaw has revealed huge twists ahead this year including Victoria Sugden’s killer secret under threat, Cain Dingle’s diagnosis and the return of Graham Foster

There’s some huge storylines on the way in 2026 on Emmerdale, including a cancer diagnosis, a shocking return and secrets at risk of being exposed.

The ITV soap’s Producer Laura Shaw has revealed all the big moments ahead, following the explosive Corriedale crossover with Coronation Street. In this special episode we saw Cain Dingle face the news that doctors had found a mass during scans, while John Sugden was found dead.

Graham Foster made a surprise return from the dead too, while Tuesday’s episode and new spoilers teased more drama including Joe Tate recording Victoria Sugden killing John. On the way in the aftermath, Joe’s sickening plan becomes clear as he targets the Sugdens.

READ MORE: Emmerdale fans ‘solve’ who Graham was on the phone to in Ray murder twistREAD MORE: Corriedale’s biggest bombshells – double death, terrifying diagnosis and shock return

Not only that, but the Dingle family are in for big turmoil as Cain is diagnosed with cancer. His wife Moira Dingle is arrested for human trafficking after being set up by Celia Daniels, who is now dead.

Teasing all the big moments ahead, Laura said: “The Dingle family are set to face huge repercussions and Cain is at the centre of a major prostate cancer storyline spanning across 2026. Adding to their devastation, Moira will be arrested for human trafficking, with her arrest timed to coincide with her husband’s diagnosis.

“Their complex marriage will be tested as they face dark times. The truth about John’s death will be revealed, as Victoria’s clever deception, making John’s death look like suicide, will unravel.

“Evil Joe Tate knows the truth and has damning video evidence which he plans to use to get what he wants from the Sugdens, potentially taking control of Butler’s Farm. Robert is also in the thick of it, trying to save Victoria by planting evidence.”

Could this lead to an exit for Victoria? Another murder secret will come to light too. Laura said: “Following the discovery of Ray’s body, villagers’ secrets will come out as the mystery surrounding Ray’s death is finally solved.

“Before the end of January, a special week will flash back to the night of the murder, revealing which of the multiple suspects is responsible for Ray’s demise. While Paddy is still out searching for his missing father, the bleak truth is that Bear has been killed by the villainous Celia.

“This emotional search and tragic discovery will bring Paddy’s mental health problems back to the forefront.” We also find out what really happened in 2020 when Graham Foster was killed off, or not.

Laura said: “A familiar face is returning to the village full-time! None other than Graham Foster will make a sensational comeback. His return will have massive repercussions for both Kim, with whom he shares a complex love and hate relationship, and Rhona, who was about to run away with him.

“Graham will explain exactly what happened six years ago when he was ‘killed’, but the question will be whether Joe can ever forgive his father-figure for allowing him to believe he was dead.” Finally, Charity Dingle prepares to give birth, and it seems her secret is finally exposed.

Laura shared: “The truth surrounding Charity’s pregnancy is set to blow wide open. Mackenzie mistakenly believes he could be the baby’s father, but the secret that Ross is the real father is still under wraps. With the baby due in spring, the birth may be the event that finally exposes all of Charity’s secrets…”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

The Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show on BBC One, which featured actors Will Arnett and Owen Cooper as guests, looked back at the highlights – and low points – of 2025

TV host Graham Norton took aim at Donald Trump minutes into his New Year’s Eve special last night.

During his review of 2025, the veteran broadcaster was quick to turn his attention to the US President’s visit to the UK to meet the Royal Family. Graham, 62, flashed up a photo of Melania Trump wearing a wide-brimmed purple hat and joked she looked like “a lamp”.

He then quipped that the statement headwear may have been worn to stop her husband from leaning in for a kiss — setting the tone for a night of trademark digs just minutes into The Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show on BBC One.

The Irish comedian kept the jokes rolling, leaning into the moment as he told viewers: “He was welcomed by the King and Queen, who were clearly happy to be photographed with him — Melania, not so much.” When the camera cut back to Melania’s oversized purple hat, Graham quipped: “I’m just a lamp. Please ignore me, I’m just a lamp,” before repeating, “Just ignore me,” while playfully mimicking her accent.

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Yet, Graham took the gag further, Express.co.uk reports. He added: “Actually there is a security reason why Melania always wears a hat.. A nice wide brim can literally save her from a fate worse than death”” before footage showed Mr Trump attempting to kiss her on the cheek — only to be blocked by the hat.

Graham looked back at the highlights — and low points — of 2025 on the festive edition of his programme. His savage swipes came minutes into the episode of the BAFTA-winning chat show, pre-recorded ahead of its BBC One and iPlayer broadcast.

Tom Hiddleston, Laura Dern and Will Arnett, alongside Owen Cooper, Carey Mulligan and Tim Key joined Graham on the red sofa to ring in the new year. Alison Limerick provided the night’s music by performing her dance classic Where Love Lives.

The BBC recommissioned the programme for three more series earlier this year. Speaking at the time, the broadcaster said the programme remains one of its biggest entertainment successes, averaging 2.9 million viewers per episode across its most recent run and continuing to pull in huge numbers across social platforms including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Graham, born in Dublin, Ireland, said hosting the programme remained both “a pleasure” and a “privilege”, teasing that the team were already looking ahead to welcoming more global stars onto the sofa.

This year’s New Year’s Eve line-up reflected that star power, with Hollywood names, British comedy favourites and breakout TV stars all joining Graham to look back on 2025.

As the new year begins, novelists send characters to great heights in Tibet and Wyoming, to the great depths of the 19th century Atlantic and back in time, to early 20th century Pakistan. Meanwhile, nonfiction authors contemplate a Spanish shipwreck, a racially motivated murder, the origins of great ideas and how laughter can change our lives. Happy reading!

FICTION

Call Me Ishmaelle: A Novel
By Xiaolu Guo
Grove Press: 448 pp., $18
(Jan. 6)

Guo, whose 2017 memoir “Nine Continents” detailed her difficult road to personal and artistic freedom, pours that experience into Ishmaelle, a young woman from England’s coast who joins the crew of a whaling ship named the Nimrod. Yes, it’s a retelling of Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” and yes, it’s well worth your time. By adding in new characters while adhering to the original story, the author creates something new, strange and thrilling.

The Last of Earth: A Novel
By Deepa Anappara
Random House: 252 pp., $29
(Jan. 13)

Set in 1869, when Europeans were forbidden to enter Tibet, this slow-paced yet tense novel follows the perspectives of Balram, an Indian surveyor, and Katharine, a woman of mixed English and Indian heritage, as they both attempt expeditions for different purposes. During their treks both characters meet a man named Chetak, whose eerie folkloric tales underscore the power structures they’ll each have to surmount before reaching their goals.

This Is Where the Serpent Lives: A Novel
By Daniyal Mueenuddin
Knopf: 368 pp., $29
(Jan. 13)

While most of this stunning book takes place in Pakistan, an important section leads two brothers to college at Dartmouth in the United States, a place about as far in every respect from their Rawalpindi origins as possible. Mueenuddin, whose gift for satire shines whether he’s describing society matrons or gangsters, never loses sight of his theme: How do any of us ever manage to justify our treatment of the underserved?

Crux: A Novel
By Gabriel Tallent
Riverhead: 416 pp., $30
(Jan. 20)

A “crux” refers to the toughest point in a climb; it also means a decision point, as well as a place where two things cross. For Tallent’s sophomore novel, two characters who are climbers have reached an important moment in their teenage lives. Daniel and Tamma (he’s straight, she’s queer) have been close friends for years, scrabbling all over Joshua Tree peaks, but as their home lives and individual paths diverge, their bond wavers.

Vigil: A Novel
By George Saunders
Random House: 192 pp., $28
(Jan. 27)

It seems unfair that, after his spectacular “Lincoln in the Bardo,” Saunders returns with not just another novel featuring a ghost, but with a new novel even more spectacular than the last. “Who else could you have been but exactly who you are?” says the newly incarnated Jill “Doll” Blaine, sent to comfort nefarious oil tycoon K. J. Boone in his last hours alive — a statement that in no way diminishes the political urgency of this spare, lovely book.

NONFICTION

Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy
By Chris Duffy
Doubleday: 272 pp., $29
(Jan. 6)

We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine; funny stuff isn’t merely diversion, but essential to our health. Author Duffy, who hosts the TED Talks podcast “How to Be a Better Human,” believes that anyone, from age 10 to age 103 (he gives examples of each), can make you laugh, help you form community and even lead you to make better decisions. One of the latter? Learn to laugh at yourself; it can signal “general intelligence and verbal creativity.”

The Legend of Wyatt Outlaw: From Reconstruction Through Black Lives Matter

By Sylvester Allen Jr. and Belle Boggs
University of North Carolina Press: 296 pp., $30
(Jan. 27)

The titular Outlaw was the first Black constable of Graham, N.C. In 1870, he was killed by lynching by members of the local Ku Klux Klan, no doubt in part due to his efforts to build coalition between members of different races and social classes. Allen, a native of Graham and a playwright who wrote a drama based on Outlaw’s legacy, and Boggs, a scholar, connect the terrorism and hatred behind this man’s murder to the present day.

How Great Ideas Happen: The Hidden Steps Behind Breakthrough Success

By George Newman
Simon & Schuster: 304 pp., $30
(Jan. 27)

So many cartoons depict great ideas using light bulbs that we’ve forgotten many of the greatest ideas come about from long deliberation and careful winnowing. Canadian professor Newman uses archaeological terms for the process: surveying, gridding, digging and sifting. Who knew that Jordan Peele rewrote “Get Out” 400 times, or that Paul Simon composed his “Graceland” album by combing through all of his previous work?

Neptune’s Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire

By Julian Sancton
Crown: 384 pp., $33
(Jan. 27)

In 1708 the San José, a treasure-laden Spanish galleon, sunk off the coast of Colombia. In 2015 a man named Roger Dooley found the galleon’s wreck and brought back artifacts proving it. Unfortunately, with little education, few bona fides and a sketchy reputation, Dooley received no credit for the discovery. Sancton tracked down Dooley — now in his 80s and somewhat reclusive — and thus is able to provide a fascinating conclusion to the tale.

Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Meaning and Purpose

By Jennifer Breheny Wallace
Portfolio: 288 pp., $30
(Jan. 27)

Loneliness pervades our society and to heal it, people need to feel that they actually matter to others — something author Wallace saw when she researched and wrote her 2023 bestseller “Never Enough,” which focused on adolescents and burnout. Now Wallace shares her findings from talking with people of all ages and hearing what a difference it makes when connections are made and individuals are recognized for even the smallest contributions.

Patrick is a freelance critic and author of the memoir “Life B.”