Perdita
03-12-2013, 21:36
Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale will all air hour-long episodes on Christmas Day, it has been confirmed.
The three soaps will screen special editions on December 25 with the usual mix of tears and laughter in their festive storylines.
Emmerdale's 60-minute edition will air from 6.15pm on ITV, facing competition from Call the Midwife's Christmas special on BBC One.
Show bosses have confirmed that David Metcalfe and Alicia Harding's wedding day will be one of Emmerdale's main storylines this year, running alongside a darker plot for Declan Macey.
An official ITV statement teased: "Festive wedding bells are ringing for David and Alicia as they prepare for their Christmas Day nuptials. But the big day doesn't go quite as planned when events conspire against them.
"With Declan the lowest he has ever been, he begins to think there is only one way out of this mess. Can he be saved, or could we see his whole Home Farm estate going up in smoke, putting his and others' lives in jeopardy? Plus, Kerry and Val embark on a Christmas decorations war that soon spirals out of control."
Coronation Street's hour-long screening will be broadcast on ITV at 7.30pm, airing against Doctor Who's Christmas special 'The Time of the Doctor' on BBC One.
ITV's official teaser added: "After the Coronation Street drama at Carla and Peter's wedding, Peter's simmering passion for Tina spills over. This is one Christmas that Tina and Peter will never forget…
"Elsewhere in Weatherfield, Roy makes the most of precious time with his beloved Hayley. The inseparable couple plan to share special moments together as time is ebbing away. Hayley means so much to her neighbours that everyone wants to share Christmas with her, but Roy begins to feel excluded as Hayley's attention is focused on her friends.
"And after the devastating car accident in which he sustained a brain injury, Nick is still trying to come to terms with his life-changing condition. Loyal Leanne bears the brunt of his mood swings as the festive season becomes too much for him."
An hour-long EastEnders will follow on BBC One at 8.30pm, with Janine Butcher taking centre stage as her dark storyline comes to a head. Danny Dyer will also make his first appearance as his character Mick Carter takes charge at the Queen Vic.
EastEnders has been scheduled against Downton Abbey's Christmas episode on ITV.
The official Christmas synopsis for EastEnders reads: "In Walford, Janine's lies look set to be exposed, but with the pressure mounting and nowhere to run, Janine once again takes matters into her own murderous hands. But will she kill again, will she be caught or will she flee Walford before the truth comes out?
"The Queen Victoria finds itself under new management when Mick and Linda Carter take over, but as the family settle into their new home, little do they know life is about to throw them a few curveballs…"
Channel 4's Hollyoaks will not air on Christmas Day but has a Boxing Day episode at 5.35pm. A double bill will air on Friday, December 27.
The three soaps will screen special editions on December 25 with the usual mix of tears and laughter in their festive storylines.
Emmerdale's 60-minute edition will air from 6.15pm on ITV, facing competition from Call the Midwife's Christmas special on BBC One.
Show bosses have confirmed that David Metcalfe and Alicia Harding's wedding day will be one of Emmerdale's main storylines this year, running alongside a darker plot for Declan Macey.
An official ITV statement teased: "Festive wedding bells are ringing for David and Alicia as they prepare for their Christmas Day nuptials. But the big day doesn't go quite as planned when events conspire against them.
"With Declan the lowest he has ever been, he begins to think there is only one way out of this mess. Can he be saved, or could we see his whole Home Farm estate going up in smoke, putting his and others' lives in jeopardy? Plus, Kerry and Val embark on a Christmas decorations war that soon spirals out of control."
Coronation Street's hour-long screening will be broadcast on ITV at 7.30pm, airing against Doctor Who's Christmas special 'The Time of the Doctor' on BBC One.
ITV's official teaser added: "After the Coronation Street drama at Carla and Peter's wedding, Peter's simmering passion for Tina spills over. This is one Christmas that Tina and Peter will never forget…
"Elsewhere in Weatherfield, Roy makes the most of precious time with his beloved Hayley. The inseparable couple plan to share special moments together as time is ebbing away. Hayley means so much to her neighbours that everyone wants to share Christmas with her, but Roy begins to feel excluded as Hayley's attention is focused on her friends.
"And after the devastating car accident in which he sustained a brain injury, Nick is still trying to come to terms with his life-changing condition. Loyal Leanne bears the brunt of his mood swings as the festive season becomes too much for him."
An hour-long EastEnders will follow on BBC One at 8.30pm, with Janine Butcher taking centre stage as her dark storyline comes to a head. Danny Dyer will also make his first appearance as his character Mick Carter takes charge at the Queen Vic.
EastEnders has been scheduled against Downton Abbey's Christmas episode on ITV.
The official Christmas synopsis for EastEnders reads: "In Walford, Janine's lies look set to be exposed, but with the pressure mounting and nowhere to run, Janine once again takes matters into her own murderous hands. But will she kill again, will she be caught or will she flee Walford before the truth comes out?
"The Queen Victoria finds itself under new management when Mick and Linda Carter take over, but as the family settle into their new home, little do they know life is about to throw them a few curveballs…"
Channel 4's Hollyoaks will not air on Christmas Day but has a Boxing Day episode at 5.35pm. A double bill will air on Friday, December 27.