The soaps are still knocking it out of the park as we get further into January (Picture: BBC / ITV / Lime Pictures / Amazon Freevee)

With shock twists and exciting stories on offer next week, it’s safe to say that EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Neighbours are pulling out all the stops to make this year a memorable one!

EastEnders’ The Six are forced to pull together to cover their tracks after an unsettling development, though doing so is easier said than done with the weight of their what they’ve done having a profound impact on their mental health.

Emmerdale is home to a number of twists too, with Chas Dingle and Liam Cavanagh’s newfound romance springing to mind, while Coronation Street sees Aadi Aalahan and Nina Lucas share a shocking kiss.

Over in Hollyoaks, Lucas Hay and Dillon Ray continue to grow close but Carter Shepherd takes twisted action where the teens are concerned and Neighbours serves up more intrigue regarding Nicolette Stone and her mystery secret.

This soaps expert is certainly excited by what’s to come and if you’re of a similar mindset then why not join me as I take a bit of a deep dive into upcoming scenes?

Go on. I insist.

I’ve got plenty of soapy goss for you and, trust me, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of the genre, with so much to come.

EastEnders

1. There is panic aplenty for The Six when the builders arrive to start work on the cafe, with Linda starting to fall apart publicly. Suki manages to convince the builders to down tools for the day but she and her fellow matriarchs are forced to take action to cover their tracks as they set about moving Keanu’s dead body, which they hid in the ruins of the eatery after killing him at Christmas.

Linda starts to fall apart (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Linda faces questions from Lauren (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

2. Lauren is knocked for six when she finds out from Sonia that Annie, Linda’s daughter, is her biological sister. Horrified that she was kept in the dark, Lauren makes her way to the Vic, confronting Linda and demanding the truth.

3. The Mitchells receive the heartbreaking news that Aunt Sal has died. Phil in particular is hit hard by the discovery and wastes little time in heading over to see Sharon, hoping to discuss the possibility of access to Albie, who he recently discovered was his son.

Sam’s actions come back to bite her (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

4. Sam decides to play hardball with Zack over Sharon potentially restricting Phil access to Albie, claiming that her family will drag his sister through the courts if they don’t comply with her demands. Phil, however, is less than pleased when he finds out what his sibling has done, giving her a humiliating dressing down.

5. Alfie is left devastated after Linda fails to show for a movie night they’d planned following his first course of cancer treatment.

6. Lily, who welcomed baby girl Charli last year, struggles with the thought of going back to school and leaving her daughter.

Coronation Street

7. Paul asks Todd to help him end his own life but Todd refuses, with Paul later realising that it’s too much to ask of him as he explains that he doesn’t want to become a hostage in his own body. He meets with Dr Gaddas, who refuses to prescribe morphine to him. Abi overhears and sympathises but Paul comes up with a plan, inviting Abi over and asking her to help him score some drugs.

Evelyn has a plan to catch Terry out (Picture: ITV)

8. Evelyn is on a mission to find evidence that Terry is running a puppy farm. After spotting a puppy for sale online she goes to Roy, who makes inquiries to see if her theory is correct. Cassie, meanwhile, calls at Terry’s address, climbing in through the window to find a crate full of puppies and a bag of cash nearby. Terry subsequent arrives with a bat but, once he’s distracted, Cassie makes a run for it – with the puppies and the cash in tow!

9. Asha receives a call to inform her that someone has reported Isla for having an inappropriate interest in her. Suspecting Nina, she confronts her girlfriend, accusing her outright. Nina is left seething, with Aadi finding her in Victoria Gardens and, after swapping stories about their respective rows with Amy and Asha, they share a kiss.

Aadi’s life hangs in the balance (Picture: ITV)

10. Aadi is on the receiving end of Asha’s wrath as she storms over to his flat after finding out about the kiss, hurling the bracelet he gave her for her birthday at him, asserting that she never wants to see him again. Little does she know, however, that Aadi is unconscious, with the broken carbon monoxide alarm on the side. Will Aadi be found before it’s too late?

11. Cassie offers Kevin her heartfelt thanks for giving her a second chance. Citing her forgiveness of Cassie, Kevin praises Abi’s ability to do right by others, regardless of her own feelings. Conflicted, Abi makes out she’s been called on a breakdown and hurries off as Cassie watches with interest.

12. Damon finally answers Harvey’s non-stop calls and threatens to kill his brother, realising afterwards that Sarah has overheard.

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Emmerdale

13. Charity is taken aback when the police arrive at Jacob’s Fold but despite her fears they bring good news, confirming that Harry’s death has been ruled accidental. Mack is relieved by the update. Charity, however, is struggling more than she’s letting on.

Charity struggles with news about Harry (Picture: ITV)

14. Mack pushes Aaron to be more ambitious in his car thefts, encouraging him to go for something more expensive. Aaron’s interest is piqued when he gets wind of an associate of Kim’s having left his expensive motor with Cain and therefore Mack creates a diversion, allowing Aaron enough time to sneak into the garage. But will Cain find out what his troublesome nephew and his equally troublesome brother-in-law have done?

15. Oscar rocks up at the Woolpack, revealing that Sophie knows about his visits. Sophie subsequently arrives and rages at everyone but Ryan unleashes his hurt over the situation, leaving everyone shocked. Oscar, meanwhile, probes Charity about his grandfather and works out the implications of the age difference between she and Bails at the time of Ryan’s birth. Oscar assures Charity that he’s glad Bails is no longer around.

Kim is determined to right her wrongs (Picture: ITV)

16. Lydia returns to the village after an extended stay at her mum’s, with Kim making a beeline for Wishing Well, hoping to repair the damage to their friendship. There is a soon a thawing between the two mates, but can they get back to where they were before?

17. Tracy pitches her idea of a forest nursery to Gabby, who shows interest but when Caleb asks to sit in on the meeting as an investor, Gabby is immediately put off the idea. Determined to take action, Tracy speaks to Moira, who suggests she proceed with caution regarding the affair but Tracy makes up her mind, declaring that she’s going to reveal all to Nate!

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