The first week of December proves eventful in all corners of soapland (Picture: BBC / ITV / Amazon Freevee / Lime Pictures)

Preparations for the festive season prove to be the last thing on the residents of our favourite soaps’ minds next week, with December getting off to quite a start!

The festive season is the subject of much discussion in EastEnders but with the aftermath of this week’s shocking events of the cards, plus a huge secret uncovered, there’s little to smile about in Walford.

The viewers, however, will certainly be grinning, with more unmissable drama on the horizon as the BBC One soap ups the ante ahead of its highly-anticipated Christmas outing.

Coronation Street, meanwhile, sees Evelyn Plummer left in serious danger when she crosses paths with a horrid passerby while Emmerdale continues to explore Tracy Metcalfe and Caleb Milligan’s affair.

But will they get caught out?

Over in Hollyoaks, Lucas Hay continues to struggle and Dillon Ray proves supportive but shocking scenes ensue, while Neighbours sees Susan Kennedy make a huge decision as the protest at Erinsborough High gets underway.

For all this and more Metro.co.uk has all the spoilers for next week’s soaps so let’s get stuck in.

EastEnders

1. Mitch struggles to focus knowing what Karen and Keanu did and an accident ensues, with his van colliding with Harvey’s taxi. Kat is less than pleased to find out what happened and thus demands that he pay up, with Karen taking it upon herself to settle the debt.

2. Phil notices that the cash Karen paid with 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.

Is Sharon set to find out the truth? (Picture: BBC/ Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

3. 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.

4. Stacey asks Jack to help her with babysitting duties, but it’s quite clear that he’s out of practice, as he ultimately calls Stacey for some help.

Elaine has a new mission – and a potential enemy (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

5. Elaine can’t resist muscling in when Yolande’s choir recruitment falls flat, but her booze bribery tactics don’t impress her new rival.

6. Sonia and Reiss prepare for the next stage of IVF and plan a romantic night together. But they are interrupted when Reiss gets a call to say Debbie’s got a bad infection.

Coronation Street

7. 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. Ryan admits that he’s still in love with Daisy, adding that the sex they had was ‘fantastic’. Simon, meanwhile, returns home and spots the video link on the laptop, sending it to Daniel, who watches it, horrified to discover that Daisy and Ryan have slept together.

Evelyn confronts evil Terry (Picture: ITV)

8. 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.

9. Bernie is sentenced to three months in prison and has to serve at least half of it, which leaves her loved ones devastated.

10. Joseph complains of a headache. As Gemma finds some painkillers, she hears a knock at the door. She’s taken aback to find it’s Caitlin. As Caitlin takes in the scene, she’s deeply unimpressed.

11. Isla admits to Asha that she’s got a crush on her, prompting Asha to switch mentors. How will Nina react to having her suspicions about Isla confirmed?

12. Cassie sets about decorating No.9 for Christmas and suggests that they throw a party for Hope’s birthday. Tyrone reckons it’s a great idea while Hope doesn’t seem very keen.

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Emmerdale

13. 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 her cradling Ivy.

Matty finds himself in an awkward position (Picture: ITV)

14. 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.

15. 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?

16. Manpreet does her best to support Brenda and Pollard as they struggle to come to terms with Pollard’s life-changing diagnosis.

17. With Lydia anguished by her many unanswered questions over Craig’s suspicious death, will Kim tell her the truth? 

Hollyoaks

18. James tells Romeo that, if he did kill Rayne, then he’ll protect him. Zoe, meanwhile, overhears a conversation between Prince and Hunter, discovering that Prince really is the one who killed Rayne! The police subsequently arrive and put someone behind bars for Rayne’s murder, but is it really the right person?

Prince is in serious danger of going to prison (Picture: Lime Pictures)

19. Lucas tries to frame James by sending messages to an escort site, in addition to taking a picture of him with John Paul and showing it to Ste, who confides in James that he’s worried about his son. Lucas then disappears overnight and when he returns his behaviour spirals, with concerned Dillon getting his hand injured while trying to show support.

20. 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?

21. When Felix snaps at Mason, Cindy stands in to protect the teen. At the Love Boat, Cindy and Mason open up and he thanks her for everything she’s done for his family and for making his dad happy.

Neighbours

22. 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.

The school protest causes chaos (Picture: Amazon Freevee)

23. Toadie struggles with a wave of complex emotions in the wake of the protest, particularly where Melanie is concerned, and soon enough he’s forced to reassess his comfort zone. Is he starting to develop feelings for Mel once again? Or did they perhaps never go away in the first place?

24. David and Aaron prepare to move back to the Street, but David is taken aback to realise that Cara, who he tended to as a doctor last week, is living opposite them. Knowing what he must do, David explains to Cara that he used to be a doctor and that he’s chosen a different career path now. Cara doesn’t ask any questions, leaving him relieved.

25. Wendy receives a new perspective on her feelings, courtesy of everyone’s favourite agony aunt Susan. Afterwards, Wendy and Andrew have an open and honest discussion. Can they finally get back on the same page?

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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Preparations for the festive season are the last thing on the residents of our favourite soap’s minds next week, with December getting off to quite a start!