The soap has had a storming year, impressing fans with huge surprise storylines (how amazing was Ross’s surprise comeback?), a flashback episode, and the ‘Who Shot Robert?’ whodunit.
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Chas and Diane are both set for difficult times
The action’s set to continue coming thick and fast as Christmas draws nearer, so here’s our round-up of the storylines to look out for…
1. You’ll Need The Tissues Ready
‘Emmerdale’ boss Kate Oates, who will leave in January to take over on ‘Corrie’, has revealed that this festive season will be a tough one for many of the village’s residents.
“It’s going to be a very emotional Christmas,” she told Radio Times. “There won’t be whistles and bangs. It will all be very heartfelt. I think that’s right for us because we’ve had such a stunt-led summer and it’s good to bring it down to grassroots.”
2. Vera Duckworth’s Arriving!
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Liz makes her debut
Well, technically it’s not Vera, but ‘Corrie’ legend Liz Dawn is going to be making an appearance on the soap, playing a demanding guest at the B&B. Liz took a break from retirement to take the role, and filmed the scenes the same week as her 76th birthday. What a woman.
3. Laurel And Ashley
Ashley finally revealed his dementia diagnosis to Laurel in the run-up to Christmas, and also admitted that he's still in love with her. Sadly, his illness is progressing rapidly, and according to reports, we'll see a heartbreaking moment, as Ashley fails to recognise who she is.
4. Eric Pollard And David Might Reunite
Eric has been struggling to cope in the months following Val’s death, but actor Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David, has hinted that the father and son could reunite.
Speaking to Radio Times, he previously stated: “David has tried everything to help his dad. So I hope that things can turn around and that Pollard comes out of this downward spiral and takes David, Finn, Tracy, Diane and all his loved ones back into his life. Hopefully, the Christmas episode is going to be good for that group of people. It should be good."
5. Zak’s Affair
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Joanie will come between Zack and Lisa
Zak and Joanie are set to become even more careless as their affair continues, Inside Soap reports, but will Lisa catch them out at Christmas? With the whole Dingle family in attendance on 25 December, there’s bound to be some upset...
6. Ross And Debbie’s First Christmas
Over at Debbie’s, things don’t go too well either, as Ross does his best to bond with the kids, all too aware of how great Pete was with them. In the run-up to the festive season, viewers will see Ross struggle to make the right impression, but we’ll have to wait to find out whether or not he manages to win Sarah and Jack over.
7. Kirin to Find Out The Truth?
Vanessa brings baby Johnny home just in time for Christmas, and she’s also back with ex-boyfriend Kirin. However, thanks to his dad’s trickery, Kirin doesn’t think he’s the tot’s father, and there’s no better time for a big reveal.
Catch up on all the latest ‘Emmerdale’ news and spoilers here.
'Emmerdale': Where Are They Now?
Patsy Kensit(01 of20)
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Played: Sadie King (2004-2006)Patsy's popped up in a number of places since her stint on the show, including 2015's 'Celebrity Big Brother'. She also starred in 'Holby City' from 2007 to 2010. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
James Sutton(02 of20)
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Played: Ryan Lamb (2009–2011)After leaving the Dales, James returned to 'Hollyoaks', where he stars as John-Paul McQueen. (credit:Lindsey Parnaby via Getty Images)
Kate McGregor(03 of20)
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Played: Emily Kirk (1999-2005, 2006-2008)After quitting the soap, Kate has returned to the Dales on a couple of occasions however she's never made a full comeback. However, since 'Emmerdale', Kate hasn't appeared on TV screens again. (credit:Tim Whitby/PA Archive)
Tom Lister(04 of20)
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Played: Carl King (2004–2012)Tom seems to have put acting on the back-burner recently, and judging from his Twitter, he spends a lot of time working with the charity Hope For Justice. He's also in a band, named Edna's Hat. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Claire King(05 of20)
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Played: Kim Tate (1989-1999)After ten years on the soap, resident bad girl Kim left and (appropriately) joined the cast of prison drama 'Bad Girls'. Most recently, Claire appeared in 'Hollyoaks' as Andrea Mason from 2005 to 2012. (credit:Ben Stansall via Getty Images)
Peter Amory(06 of20)
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Played: Chris Tate (1989-2003)Peter has swapped the small screen for the stage, appearing in a number of small productions. (credit:Fiona Hanson/PA Archive)
Lisa Riley(07 of20)
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Played: Mandy Dingle (1995-2001)Since Lisa left the Dales, she's starred in 'Waterloo Road' and 'Scott And Bailey', as well as getting her dancing shoes on for 'Strictly'. Let's be honest though - the thing we remember most is the fact she provided the voice over for 'You've Been Framed'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Sammy Winward(08 of20)
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Played: Katie Sugden (2001–15)Sammy left the soap in early 2015 - who knows what she'll get up to next? (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Verity Rushworth(09 of20)
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Played: Donna Windsor (1993–2009, 2014)After five years off, Verity reprised her role for a few months in 2014, ahead of the character's death. During her time away from the soap, Verity trod the boards, playing Maria in 'The Sound Of Music', while the show was on tour. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Cleveland Campbell(10 of20)
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Played: Danny Daggert (2001–06, 2007)Cleveland appeared in 'The Bill' shortly after leaving the Dales. He's also popped up on the TV series 'Doctors' and 'Sunshine'. (credit:David Fisher/REX)
Chelsea Halfpenny (11 of20)
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Played: Any Wyatt (2010–13)Prior to her primetime big break on 'Emmerdale', Chelsea starred in the popular TV show 'Byker Grove'. Since leaving, she's appeared in a number of modelling shoots. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Suzanne Shaw(12 of20)
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Played: Eve Jenson (2010–11)In March 2015, Suzanne Shaw announced that she's pregnant with her second child. In 2014 she starred as Tara Fable in the mini-series '5 Aside'. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Bobby Knutt(13 of20)
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Played: Albert Dingle (1995–98, 2004)Bobby's been a regular on the Panto circuit for years, and in 2008 he published his autobiography, which was followed by a sequel in 2010.He also lends his voice to the Tetly Tea ads. (credit:ITV/REX)
Adele Silva(14 of20)
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Played: Kelly Windsor (1993–2000, 2005–07, 2011)Troublemaker Kelly returned to cause trouble in the village a number of times. During her time away, Adele tried her hand at modelling, starring in a number of lads' mag shoots, and also starred on reality TV shows such as 'Celebrity Fear Factor' and 'The Salon'. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Stephen McGann(15 of20)
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Played: Sean Reynolds (1999-2002)Fans of 'Call The Midwife' will recognise Stephen, as he plays Dr Turner in the series. (credit:ITV/REX)
Deena Payne(16 of20)
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Played: Viv Hope (1993–2011)Deena reappeared on our TV screens in an episode of 'True Crime', but you're more likely to find her on stage now. She's appeared in a number of pantomimes, and also trod the boards as one of the Calendar Girls. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Pauline Quirke(17 of20)
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Played: Hazel Rhodes (2010-2012)Pauline resumed her role as Sharon in hit comedy 'Birds Of A Feather' when the show returned in 2014. She also scored a part in ITV's drama 'Broadchurch. (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
Lorraine Chase(18 of20)
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Played: Steph Stokes (2002–06, 2013)Lorraine's acting credits include 'My Family' and 'Doctors. In her time away from the fictional farming village, she also gave camping in the 'I'm A Celeb' jungle a go, before popping up on 'Celebrity Come Dine With Me'. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
Ben Freeman(19 of20)
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Played: Scott Windsor (1993–96, 1998–2007)After 'Emmerdale', Ben - successfully - tried his hand at stage acting, and he's trod the boards after landing roles in 'Romeo And Juliet' and 'Legally Blonde', among others. (credit:ITV/REX)
Jenna Louise Coleman (20 of20)
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Played: Jasmine Thomas (2005–09)Jenna is one of the soap's most successful exports, and she currently stars in 'Doctor Who' opposite Peter Capaldi. (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)