Emmerdale's emotional Christmas: Drama for Debbie Dingle, a Pollard reunion and Liz Dawn's surprise cameo
Rebecca Merriman, Daily Mirror
2 Dec 2015
It's going to be an explosive Christmas for the residents of Emmerdale this year, with producers promising a dramatic festive season.
It wouldn't be Christmas without some action in the dales and according to producer Kate Oates, things will be stepping up a gear in the village over the holiday period, culminating in an hour-long special on Christmas Day.
Teasing viewers about what they've got planned, she told the Radio Times: “It’s going to be a very emotional Christmas. There won’t be whistles and bangs. It will all be very heartfelt.
“I think that’s right for us because we’ve had such a stunt-led summer and it’s good to bring it down to grassroots.”
But what exactly is in store for the Emmerdale cast this year?
Liz Dawn's cameo
This Christmas will see Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn come out of retirement to provide some light relief.
Liz will take on the role of Mrs Winterbottom, a very demanding guest who'll be staying at Eric Pollard's B&B on Christmas Day.
Admitting it was a one off, the former Vera Duckworth told the Radio Times in October about her decision to appear in the soap: "There's only one show I'd come out of retirement for and it's Emmerdale, particularly as I've celebrated my 76th birthday this week so I wanted to mark the occasion.
"I love my character. What a feisty lady she is! Giving them all a run for their money in the B&B on Christmas Day. She's so rude to them which isn't like me at all."
Pollard Christmas reunion
Actor Matthew Wolfenden has hinted that there could be a Christmas truce between David Pollard and father Eric over the holidays.
The pair are currently at odds thanks to Eric's behaviour following the death of his wife Val, but the holidays could signal a reconciliation.
"David has tried everything to help his dad. So I hope that things can turn around and that Pollard comes out of this downward spiral and takes David, Finn, Tracy, Diane and all his loved ones back into his life," he told the Radio Times.
"Hopefully, the Christmas episode is going to be good for that group go people. It should be good."
Debbie leaving the dales?
With Charley Webb heading off on maternity leave soon, Debbie will be making a brief exit from the show - so could this be over the festive period and will it involve her mum?
Following Charity Tate's confession that Ross Barton is in fact the father of baby Moses, expect her return to the village to be accompanied by fireworks. As he attempts to work on his relationship with girlfriend Debbie - the reappearance of her mother and his secret lover is only going to be bad news.
Chas' diagnosis
It'll be a difficult Christmas for Chas and son Aaron, as the feisty female continues to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Woolpack landlady - who currently fears she's being stalked and persecuted - will be told by doctors that she's suffering from PTSD in the weeks leading up to the Christmas special.
The storyline, which includes her stabbing Diane Sudgen, has seen the soap work in conjunction with mental health charity Mind and is set to carry on into the new year.
Speaking to the Radio Times, actress Lucy Pargeter admitted the diagnosis will come as a relief to the publican.
“It’s a big relief for Chas to finally have a diagnosis and a reason why everything has been happening,” she told the Radio Tomes. “Now she can receive help and hopefully get better.”
Ashley's harrowing exit
Ashley's health continues to deteriorate over the Christmas period as he deals with dementia.
Actor John Middleton, who made his debut as the village vicar in 1996, confirmed the storyline will see him leave the show back in October. In recent weeks
"I've known about it for a year. I had a meeting with [producer] Kate Oates and she asked me if I was happy to do the storyline," he said at the time.
"Kate suggested that I might like time to think about it, but I recognised it as the best story I've been given in my life and fully embraced it."
Emmerdale's hour long Christmas special will be shown at 18:45 on ITV on December 25.
Source:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/e...debbie-6940549
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