it’s going to be a festive season to remember in soapland! (Picture: ITV / BBC / Lime Pictures / Amazon Freevee)

The gifts, the goodwill and the festive cheer are great, but we all know that sitting down in front of the telly to watch the nation’s biggest soaps is the real main attraction of the festive season.

With shocking goodbyes, deadly murders and weddings aplenty, this year’s holiday offerings of our favourite serial dramas are set to be among the best ever.

EastEnders is always the main event but this year the BBC One soap takes things to a whole new level, following a historic flashforward scene that confirmed a major death at Christmas.

And after months of speculation, with just about everyone talking about that dead body, we’re just days away from finding out who it is that perishes and we can hardly contain our excitement.

If that’s not enough to get excited about, we’re also set to welcome back two more favourites. A festive season not to be missed in Walford.

Over in Coronation Street, emotions run high with a huge departure set to change the very landscape of the cobbles, while New Year welcomes back not one but two major characters.

Emmerdale, meanwhile, sees Mackenzie Boyd’s life hang in the balance following his kidnap, plus a surprise proposal and a dangerous joyride, making the New Year also one to watch.

Hollyoaks sees Ste Hay confront James Nightingale over his abuse of Lucas in powerful scenes, while Rafe Harcourt starts to doubt his plan to ruin Sienna Blake.

Neighbours also treats us to a hiatus-free festive season and its first Christmas back on air is certainly an eventful one for all in Ramsay Street.

EastEnders

1. Sharon and Keanu prepare for their wedding on Christmas Day, with the pair subsequently arriving at the church for the ceremony. Sharon is a vision in her iconic white wedding dress (Yes, THAT dress) as she and Albie walk down the aisle together, with Phil Mitchell arriving moments before the happy couple say ‘I do’.Will the ceremony go ahead?

Sharon and Keanu’s wedding arrives on Christmas Day – but will they successfully tie the knot? (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

2. Bernie is emotional on Christmas morning and, with no heating or electricity, she heads to speak to Keanu, pleading with him to speak to Sharon so that their mum can return home. Keanu refuses and uninvites Bernie from the wedding, leading Bernie straight to No.55, where she confronts Phil.

3. The Mitchell clan receive a surprise video message from Lola, who reveals that Jay and Honey are both running the London Marathon. Lola’s words have a profound effect on all listening, with Phil subsequently deciding to head to the Vic.

The long-awaited outcome of February’s flashforward scene – but who will The Six kill? (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron / Matt Burlem)

4. The wedding proves more eventful than expected, with Sharon joining Linda, Denise, Kathy, Suki and Stacey at the Vic as they all attempt to process the events of the day in question. None of them, however, could have predicted what happens next, with The Six’s lives changed forever as a Walford male resident meets his demise.

5. The Six desperately try to deal with the fallout of what has transpired, with the nightmare set to continue for much of the week. But just what has happened? And who is dead?

Linda struggles to process the events of Christmas Day (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

6. The residents of the Square reel in the wake of the events of Christmas Day. One resident overhears something she shouldn’t and can’t resist spreading gossip far and wide.

7. Whitney is woken by Ashton’s cries, which are triggered by the noises outside. There is tension aplenty between she and Zack as he struggles to connect with Ashton, but there’s more heartbreak in store when she’s forced to tell the little boy that he’s moving to a new foster home. Whitney later breaks down, with Yolande offering her some advice.

8. George is confronted by Cindy, who asks him if he’s happy with his life choices, much to Elaine’s dismay, but before he can answer he receives two unexpected visitors in the form of his parents, Gloria and Eddie. His reaction leaves Elaine concerned, while George tells Cindy he was adopted, but a shocking truth from Gloria rocks the pub landlord’s entire world.

George’s world is torn apart (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Penny and Lauren contemplate returning to Walford (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

9. In Paris, Lauren and Penny Branning make a huge decision, opting to return to Walford after the events of the evening in question. Penny arrives back in London and makes her way to the Square, but just where is Lauren?

10. The Walford teens decide to have an New Years Eve party, and one of them steals a case of beer from the Minute Mart. However, when Patrick and Yolande come to check on them, the teens are mortified to realise the stolen beer is alcohol-free. Yolande agrees to keep the theft a secret in exchange for a favour.

Coronation Street

11. Peter is overwhelmed by Carla’s Christmas gift. Afterwards, the couple look back over their tumultuous relationship and realise that, though they will always love each other, maybe it’s better that they part ways. With that, Peter packs his bags and finds the whole family waiting for him outside. Exchanging emotional farewells with everyone, he promises Ken that he’ll keep in touch as he bids farewell to Weatherfield.

A heartbreaking Christmas for Carla and Peter (Picture: ITV)

12. Paul and Billy look forward to a peaceful Christmas Day, just the two of them. Gemma and Chesney, however, worry when they can’t get hold of Paul and, with some help from Todd, they break down the door and get more than they bargained for!

13. Evelyn and Mary work together to help prepare the Christmas dinner for Roy, who later gifts Evelyn a very special present that leaves her genuinely touched by the thought that evidently went into picking it.

14. Daniel tells Daisy that he’d like a chat, leaving the barmaid hopeful that he wants to try again. Daniel, however, is subsequently thrown when he spots Bethany on the cobbles. Jenny, meanwhile, urges Daisy to find Daniel and make things right but just what will Daisy find when she sets out to do so?

Bethany arrives back on the cobbles (Picture: ITV)

Daniel is taken aback by her return (Picture: ITV)

15. Adam struggles to hide his feelings for Sarah and vice versa and, just when it looks like they might be about to embark on a new chapter, Adam is kidnapped and bundled into the back of a van. Adam survives the ordeal, with subsequent scenes seeing him tell Sarah what happened. Sarah, however, fails to have Adam’s back, telling him that Damon was with her.

16. Jenny, Daisy, Sean, Glenda and Gemma head to the Rovers armed with booze. The locals all assist in getting the Rovers back up and running for its grand re-opening, with Gary placing the picture of Betty back where it belongs.

The Rovers returns! (Picture: ITV)

17. Paul’s voice talker apparatus arrives and he nervously uses the app to play some of his pre-recorded phrases. Billy, meanwhile, looks into the cost of a holiday for the pair, revealing that the travel insurance is extortionate, with Paul insisting they forget about the whole thing. David later helps Paul back home but, with Moses due any minute, Paul insists that David go home. Moses, however, is late and, bursting for the loo, Paul tries to make his way to the wheelchair but crashes to the floor.

18. Cassie allows Abi to take the blame for damaging a car. Roy urges her to come clean and Cassie ultimately agrees to do so, that is until she’s offered a permanent position at the garage. Kevin, meanwhile, takes his anger over the scratched car out on Abi. Will Cassie get away with her lies?

19. Tyrone senses Evelyn’s fears as she refuses to accompany him to Terry’s hearing, claiming she has more important things to do. Evelyn hears from Tyrone that Terry pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later.

20. Bethany’s return goes down a storm with the Platts. Daisy, however, isn’t pleased by her presence, especially after the returnee makes a comment about how empty the Rovers is. Daniel, meanwhile, gets along well with her, relaying such a thing to Ken.

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Emmerdale

21. Mackenzie, as fans will know by now, has been kidnapped. His fate hangs in the balance and, next week, there’s no sign of him, but rather just the chair that he was bound to. Is this really the end for the popular character? There is a gunshot fired on Christmas Day, but is Mack set to die?

Mack fights for his life as cruel Damon – aka Harry – is out for revenge on behalf of Chloe (Picture: ITV)

Tracy and Caleb are finally caught out – but by who? (Picture: ITV)

22. Tracy and Caleb share a charged moment at Butlers while celebrating Christmas Day. Tracy stays behind to look after the kids, with Caleb offering to keep her company but as one thing leads to another, they’re caught in the act. But by who?

23. Belle is inspired to propose to Tom. Tom is led onto an ice rink by Leyla and is shocked to find Belle standing before him, having arranged a proposal with the help of Torvill and Dean, who he is a huge fan of.

Belle pops the question to Tom (Picture: ITV)

24. Christmas morning is ruined for Marlon courtesy of Gus. Paddy, however, is quick to remind Marlon that Gus is grieving, which leaves the chef with food for thought as he whips up an incredible dinner, leaving Gus properly taken aback.

25. Amit is left uneasy as Suni insists that he come clean over the circumstances surrounding Rishi’s death. But will he do so?

26. Nicola convinces impressed Jimmy and frustrated Bob to help her prepare for the B&B councillor party, confirming her ambition to run for mayor.

Troublesome times for Heath and Cathy in the New Year (Picture: ITV)

27.As the New Year beckons, Cathy, Heath and Angelica take a joyride in Wendy’s car. Nicola orders Jimmy to go and find the kids, wanting them to help with the party, unaware that they’ve disappeared. Bob, meanwhile, realises Wendy’s car is missing. Heath and Angel flirt and encourage Cathy to speed up. Cathy does just that and, despite a near-miss with another vehicle, she doesn’t stop, putting her foot down once more.

28. Rhona finally comes clean to Marlon, revealing that she’s become attached to baby Ivy, pleading with Marlon to find a way to make this work. The question is: will Marlon be able to do so?

29. Gabby grows concerned that Jacob has developed feelings for her and therefore resolves to set him straight. When she does so, however, she realises that he’s actually in a relationship with Victoria!

30. Victoria and Jacob resolve to tell their loved ones the truth, arranging a meeting with Eric and Leyla. The question is: how will everyone react to their big news?

Hollyoaks

31. Nana McQueen gives Warren a piece of her mind, urging him to leave the village so that Mercedes may return. Warren, however, refuses, with Nana subsequently issuing the hard-man with another warning before heading home. Unable to get inside, the matriarch goes around the back and leaves Mercedes a voicemail before taking a funny turn, collapsing in the garden. 

Nana’s life is on the line (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Ste finds out the truth about James’ abuse of Lucas (Picture: Lime Pictures)

32. Ste is horrified when Lucas throws up and drunkenly mentions James, leaving him on a mission to get to the bottom of what is going on as he tricks James into confessing everything. James begs for forgiveness but Ste brands him an ‘abuser’ and insists on getting the police involved. Lucas, however, subsequently vanishes.

33. Dillon arrives at the Youth Centre with Andre for the party. Leah proceeds to flirt with him and, unable to let it carry on any longer, he admits that he doesn’t fancy her in front of everyone.

Dillon tells Leah he’s not interested (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Mercedes stages a return – much to Felix’s shock (Picture: Lime Pictures)

34. Mercedes returns home to visit Nana and subsequently reveals that she’s pregnant, unaware that Warren is listening in at the door.

35. Ella gives Charlie a present and she confesses her feelings, with the two subsequently sharing a kiss. The question is: where exactly does this leave Shing Lin?

36. Carter moves closer to the village with Freya and John Paul confronts him, telling him to stop living in denial about who he really is. After the New Year, Carter tells John Paul that he can see the damage he’s doing and thus resolves to stop practising conversion therapy, with the two men sharing a kiss outside the school – which is caught on camera.

Rafe has doubts about destroying Sienna (Picture: Lime Pictures)

37. Rafe relays his doubts to Dilly about spending his remaining time on taking down Sienna. When Dilly discovers her husband has gifted Sienna a sentimental bracelet, she turns green with jealousy and subsequently destroys the item in question.

38. Peri and Romeo return home from their trip away, with Hunter sending them a message. Lacey, meanwhile, returns, much to the shock of Nadira, with the lawyer explaining that she’s going to be Prince’s defence, revealing that a pair of sunglasses with a camera in them were worn by Rayne on the day of the murder and yet they were never logged in the police evidence reports.

39. Darren receives quite a shock when Nancy sends him a sexy picture and pushes for him to send one back, with Tony walking in on him when he’s taking it!

40. Andre is left upset when he overhears Vicky telling Leah that she has doubts about trusting him.

Neighbours

41. Christmas Day proves eventful in Ramsay Street, with the twenty-somethings’ relationships more fractured than ever following Mackenzie’s revelation about having feelings for Haz. Tensions are rife during the share houses’ Christmas party, with a near-fatal disaster ensuing.

Holly’s life is put in danger on Christmas Day (Picture: Amazon Freevee)

42. Terese and Jane struggle to get their heads around the fact that Paul was involved in their council approval. Toadie takes the news particularly hard and thus makes it his mission to confront Paul shortly after the festivities are out of the way, telling him to let go of Terese once and for all.

43. Krista confides in David, revealing that she’s pregnant. Leo, meanwhile, struggles to hide his feelings for Krista, with David warning his brother that any potential romance could derail her recovery.

Elly and Chloe’s big day arrives (Picture: Amazon Freevee)

The happy couple are pronounced wife and wife (Picture: Amazon Freevee)

44. The day of Chloe and Elly’s wedding arrives and the happy couple prepare to walk down the aisle together. Chloe, however, is left upset when her Huntington’s symptoms rule out her wearing heels but Elly has an inspired idea as they walk down the aisle together barefoot, before tying the knot!

45. Melanie learns that she and Krista have been summoned for a preliminary interview before the UK Government decide whether or not to extradite them for drug possession and absconding. Melanie’s lawyer informs them both that they will need character references to substantiate that Melanie is the victim. Will Toadie assist?

Aaron is determined to help husband David (Picture: Amazon Freevee)

46. Aaron and Cara form a plan. But just what are they up to? And will they succeed?

47. Nicolette is left puzzled over a mysterious gift. But who has sent the item in question? And just what does it mean?

48. Karl again becomes concerned about Holly’s relationship with Haz. The legendary doctor, as viewers know, has previously voiced his opinion on the romance, believing Haz to be less committed to making it work than Holly. Will his suspicions be proven correct?

49. Despite having been each other’s rock for much of the past year, the New Year finds Sadie and Wendy at odds. But why?

50. Terese is confronted by an emotional truth.

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 streams Mondays to Thursdays from 7:30am on Amazon Freevee.

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A massive look at what’s to come in soapland this festive season. The festive cheer and good will might be in short supply but the drama is aplenty.