Emmerdale spoilers: Pierce's son Marcus debuts, plus shock village return

On Emmerdale next week Pierce’s son Marcus makes his debut – will he be a chip off the old block? Plus the Woolpack goes under the hammer, and Dawn gets a shock as her wedding day nears.

It’s all the Emmerdale spoilers you need for 31 January-4 February 2022.

Pierce’s son Marcus arrives to meet Rhona

Pierce sends Rhona a letter from prison telling her that he’s dying and wants help in finding his son Marcus. A worried Rhona confides in Vanessa, who is worried that Pierce is merely trying to lure her in. But despite Vanessa’s advice that she not pursue the matter, Rhona decides to aid her abusive ex.

The next day, Rhona informs Vanessa that she’s checked with the prison bosses to confirm that Pierce is indeed near the end of his life. And, feeling compelled to help, Rhona convinces Ryan to help find Marcus.

Read more: Next week on Coronation Street

Read more: Next week on EastEnders

But after Rhona gets in touch with Pierce’s son, Vanessa decides to intervene and pretends to be Rhona when Marcus turns up in the village, in the hope of getting him to turn around and go back home. But when Rhona turns up unexpectedly, she realises what Vanessa has done and argues with her mate.

Read more: Darcy Grey hints at mystery: Marcus 'wears two faces'

Marcus then interrupts and says that something big must have happened for Rhona to have reached out – all of which leads to her filling him in on what’s happened…

Mystery buyer of the Woolpack is revealed

As Kim takes a look at an auction catalogue, it doesn’t take Will long to work out what his partner is up to: she wants to put in a bid on the Woolpack. Charity, though, overhears and feeds the information back to Chas, who then confronts Kim.

The trouble is, the showdown just leaves Kim ever-more determined to get her hands on the pub. But Cain is wanting to fix things, knowing that a takeover by Kim would break Chas’s heart.

On the day of the sell-off, we’ll then see auctioneer starting the process and Cain shooting his hand up to put in a bid. It’s a tense moment for Moira, who’s ultimately left relieved when a higher offer comes in from an online source.

The Woolpack is then sold to this mystery online bidder, a development that leaves Marlon and Chas eager to discover who this person is. Faith attempts to get the name from the auctioneer but is told that they want to meet both Marlon and Chas in the flesh.

It’s news that leaves Chas extremely worried about who this shadowy buyer could be…

Dawn’s ex-partner Alex resurfaces

Excitement is building for Dawn and Billy’s upcoming wedding, with Harriet left moved when she’s asked to be maid of honour and Kim offering the use of Home Farm for the ceremony.

But that sense of optimism looks set to be halted by the return of Dawn’s ex Alex, who puts in a plea to let him explain his attempt to snatch little Lucas. But what else does he now want?

Ellis’s big decision

Ellis and Belle find that their secret becomes common knowledge when they’re spotted together at the auction. Cain can’t help but be angry, while Al offers support to the couple by inviting them for a meal with him and Kerry.

But, later on, Ellis is seen receiving an unexpected phone call that leaves him with a decision to make. With actor Aaron Anthony set to exit Emmerdale, might this be the moment that Ellis decides to leave?

Watch the latest Emmerdale spoilers