A storm is brewing – and Emmerdale will never be the same again (Picture: Metro.co.uk/ITV)
It’s finally here! We’ve reached the five-day countdown to the biggest day of Emmerdale’s year (yes, as big as Christmas, which has already been planned): the 50th anniversary!
We have already been given a few hints about what is to come, so here’s a quick run down:
A big storm, a wedding, three returning characters, a possible birth and certain death.
Got all that? Good.
If that isn’t enough of a teaser for you, then we have plenty more secrets to spill!
The baby’s coming!
Amelia takes shelter from the storm (Picture: ITV)
The eagle eyed of you will see that a possible birth was mentioned above. Well, you can scratch that, and replace it with ‘the baby is coming and it’s coming now’.
It has now been officially confirmed that Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) will go into labour amid the storm. Alone and trapped, she seeks shelter in an empty barn, but will anyone be able to find her before the baby comes?
‘Amelia ends up in a barn in the middle of nowhere, as it’s the only place she can find to shelter.’ Actress Daisy Campbell explained.
‘She’s really worried at this point as she’s only 16 and is stuck in a raging storm in the middle of nowhere and has no one to help her out.
‘She also can’t get in touch with anyone as all phone signals have been totally cut off due to the storm. I think at this stage her anxiety is through the roof!’
A nod to the very first episode
Emmerdale first aired in October 1972 (Picture: ITV)
There may be some current viewers who watched the very first episode when it aired on 16th October 1972, and Emmerdale is tipping its hat back to some of its scenes.
Claire King, who plays Kim Tate, teased what we can expect.
‘We have filmed the hand going through a cornfield and getting on a horse. Both were replicated from the first episode which is very special.’
‘To be a part of this show 50 years on is amazing.’ She added.
Director Ian Bevitt said that there is one aspect that links the first episode and the 50th anniversary above all else.
‘The great Yorkshire countryside – it’s a character all on its own and I wanted to emphasise that from the off. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot similarities with the opening of the very first episode and the opening of the 50th episode. And there are nods to older characters no longer with the show.’
An homage to one of the greats
Val and Eric were couple goals (Picture: ITV)
Fans of Emmerdale should fondly remember Val Pollard of the Valerie Pollard Foundation, and those that don’t (how dare you) will be reminded during Sunday night’s episode.
In touching scenes, Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) returns from visiting the grave of his late wife, who died in a mirror maze after the helicopter crash in 2015.
Will they or won’t they?
Will they or won’t they? (Picture: ITV)
The love triangle drama between Will Taylor (Dean Andrews), Kim Tate (Claire King) and Harriet Finch (Katherine Dow Blyton) is far from over, but the wedding might be, according to a worried Will.
Will Kim and Will sort things out or will they call it quits on their big day?
Actor Dean Andrews hopes that things will work out for them.
‘I think they are a great couple. They’re both really similar in some ways but there’s a little bit of yin and yang. As posh as Kim is and as common as Will is they both see life with a similar eye. Opposites attract.’
Showdown
Will all go to plan? (Picture: ITV)
What’s a love triangle without a fight for the person you love?
Harriet and Kim are set to be at each other’s throats during the anniversary episode, but who will come out on top?
‘Harriet’s not scared of Kim but Harriet doesn’t trust her. She knows Kim’s reputation and what she’s done in the past, but Harriet can fight her own corner. She is however slightly put on the back foot by Kim’s little tricks.’ Katherine Dow Blyton teased.
‘Something Kim says makes Harriet lose it for a moment. It’s a good confrontation but ultimately who will win?’
Un-bull-ievable
Things don’t go well for Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb) when one of her barns collapses, sending a herd of cows stampeding through the storm.
We can’t imagine she’s in the moo-d to chase them down, especially with the udderly intolerable wind.
Directors Ian Bevitt and Tim O’Mara explained the difficulties of shooting with cattle, joking that ‘sometimes they don’t listen to direction.’
‘Some of the less controllable aspects – horses and cows, for example, proved to be quite challenging, but we got there in the end, I feel.’
More: Soaps
‘A cow stampede has not been done on a soap to this extent,’ said designer Duncan Howell. ‘We began with conversations and lots of planning with the farmer. It was really important that this did not cause any harm or stress to these animals.
‘In the scene it will look as if the cows are running towards the Emmerdale characters as the cows stampede.’
Al must make a choice
We’ve seen two-timing Al Chapman (Michael Wildman) hide is affair with Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) from fiancé Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton) for several months now, but he is forced to make a choice in the anniversary week when both women are left injured in the storm.
He sees both of his lovers be brought down by flying debris, but which one will he choose to help?
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And much more…
There are still a lot of elements of the anniversary that Emmerdale are keeping their lips locked about.
It’s going to be big, bold and like nothing Emmerdale has done before. You’re not going to want to miss it!
MORE : Emmerdale spoilers: Everything we know about the 50th anniversary week
MORE : Emmerdale spoilers: Chloe is Mack’s secret lover and she’s pregnant
We know something you don’t, but luckily, we’re kind enough to share it!