Emotions run high in another action-packed week in soapland, with shocks and twists aplenty (Picture: ITV / BBC / Lime Pictures)

The season of goodwill and festive cheer is almost here but there’s little of these qualities on offer in the land of soap this week, with heartbreak and tragedy aplenty.

We wouldn’t want it any other way!

EastEnders sees Phil Mitchell make a mammoth discovery about Keanu Taylor and he wastes little time in spilling the beans to a devastated Sharon Watts.

You won’t want to miss that.

Hollyoaks, meanwhile, welcomes back a much-loved character after a decade in the form of Jacqui McQueen, which is also something you don’t want to miss.

Coronation Street sees Evelyn Plummer confront a vile passer-by, who becomes aggressive in a heated showdown, while Emmerdale deals with the aftermath of Rhona Goskirk revealing all about baby Ivy.

Over in Ramsay Street, a protest takes place to save Erinsborough High, with Neighbours legend Susan Kennedy taking a stand.

It’s shaping up to be another unmissable one in soapland and here’s the top 10 must-see moments of the week.

Keanu is exposed as Albie’s kidnapper in EastEnders

Keanu has some serious explaining to do (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Mitch struggles to focus knowing what Karen and Keanu did and an accident ensues, with his van hitting Harvey’s taxi. Kat demands he pay up, with Karen taking it upon herself to settle the debt.

Phil, however, realises the cash contains his marked bills, with Sam assisting him in getting proof to confirm his theory that Keanu and Karen staged Albie’s kidnap. Tommy, meanwhile, sneaks into the Taylor’s on the request of Phil, who later bursts into the Vic to tell Sharon the truth.

Susan takes a stand to save Erinsborough High in Neighbours

Susan makes a stand – though she may lose a friend in the process! (Picture: Amazon Freevee)

Susan is torn about the protest to save Erinsborough High, knowing it will sabotage any chance of Terese and Jane reconciling.

Susan and Jane listen in to Summer’s broadcast and, as Michelle Scully discusses her time at the school and the profound influence it had on her later life, Susan is deeply moved and thus decides to take a stand, believing the school should be saved.

Jane, meanwhile, is touched by Nicolette’s efforts and joins the protest. When Terese finds Susan and Jane together, she feels deeply betrayed.

Hollyoaks welcomes back a fan-favourite as Mercedes seeks guidance

Mercedes suggests to Felix that they move away for a fresh start, claiming that she wants to be closer to Bobby. Warren, however, is afraid of losing her and suggests she and Felix move in with him instead, but Mercedes subsequently vanishes, seeking advice from someone in particular. Her loved ones are worried sick about her disappearance and get the police involved, but just where is Mercy?

Well, that is the question, and the answer is: in the company of Jacqui McQueen. Yes, really!

Daisy and Ryan’s affair is exposed in Coronation Street

Ryan and Daisy’s big secrets are caught on camera (Picture: ITV)

Ryan is unaware that his camera is still on from his job interview when Daisy calls around to the flat to inform him that Crystal is suspicious of their closeness.

Ryan admits that he’s still in love with Daisy, adding that the sex was fantastic. Simon, meanwhile, returns home and Daisy swiftly exits, but he subsequently spots the video link and sends it to Daniel, who watches it, horrified to discover that Daisy and Ryan slept together.

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Rhona comes clean in Emmerdale

Rhona offers Gus support (Picture: ITV)

Rhona struggles to resist visiting baby Ivy, watching Gus at the hospital from her car. Mary twigs that something isn’t quite right, with Rhona subsequently revealing all about her little trips. Marlon, meanwhile, later finds out the truth for himself, while Rhona and Mary call at Gus’ front door. Gus is exhausted, with Rhona offering to help but Gus rails at her when he wakes up to find Rhona cradling Ivy.

Sam’s presence causes chaos in EastEnders

Does Denise have anything to worry about? (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Denise returns home and is horrified to find out that Sam is staying at their place, prompting Jack to launch a charm offensive to get her to forgive him. More conflict ensues, however, as Denise finds out that Dean is back in town, with Jack having neglected to inform her.

Matty is conflicted as Mack asks him about Chloe’s whereabouts in Emmerdale

Mack is at his wit’s end after Chloe’s efforts to punish him (Picture: ITV)

Mackenzie asks Matty outright if Amy knows where Chloe is. Matty feels conflicted, with his uncle quite clearly depressed over having lost access to his beloved son.

Evelyn is targeted by a cruel person in Coronation Street

Evelyn confronts a dog owner who mistreats his dog (Picture: ITV)

Evelyn witnesses a man mistreating his dog. Roy comes to Evelyn’s aid but he’s terrified when Terry, the dog owner, turns on him instead. Cassie comes to Evelyn and Roy’s rescue and Roy films Terry and the dog on Evelyn’s phone. Tyrone reports Terry to the police.

EastEnders deck the halls as the festive season arrives

Elaine and George ensure it’s a Christmas season to remember! (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Elaine makes The Vic sponsored Christmas event a big success, but soon afterwards she can’t resist muscling in when Yolande’s choir recruitment falls flat.

Tracy plays with fire in Emmerdale

Tracy and Caleb play with fire – but will they get burned? (Picture: ITV)

Tracy gets caught up in the thrill of her secret affair with Caleb, with Nicky and Sam almost catching them together on two separate occasions. Caleb, meanwhile, doesn’t like seeing Nate with her and thus attempts to distract him in an effort to spend some time with Tracy. Nate, however, gets set to return home as Caleb and Tracy give into temptation. Will they be caught out?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV. Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 7pm on E4, with first look episodes on All4. Neighbours drops new episodes Mondays to Thursdays from 7am on Amazon Freevee.

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The season of goodwill and festive cheer is almost here but there’s little of these qualities on offer in the land of soap this week, with heartbreak and tragedy aplenty.