ITV Emmerdale boss teases 'huge surprise arrival' in soap's 'most exciting' Christmas yet

Emmerdale boss, Iain MacLeod, has promised plenty of dramatic scenes this Christmas.

Although Christmas may be 100 days away, it's never too early to start planning the festive season in soap land and Iain has promised that this December will be the 'most exciting' festive episode yet in the soap's history.

Teasing "life or death" scenarios, "festive brilliance" and a "huge surprise arrival", Iain revealed that festive filming is due to begin and the dramatic storylines will carry over to 2025.

Speaking to Digital Spy, he said: "This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day. As well as some life or death jeopardy on Christmas Day – but obviously there will be festive brilliance as we do every year – but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!"

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He added: "Christmas in soap is a difficult one as you want it to be dramatic and exciting but you also want it to have that humorous, warmth and festive soapy flavour and I think the balance is bang on here.

"But into 2025, what we have planned so far is the usual degree of spectacle and drama and heightened kind of filming stuff. We also have incredibly heartbreaking family drama with plenty of Dingle action. There is also some classic gothic antics at Home Farm – some skullduggery! It is going to be a really exciting 2025 with lots more to come."

It's been an exciting few weeks for Emmerdale after it scooped up the Serial Drama award at last week's National Television Awards. Meanwhile, over in the village, the ITV soap aired an explosive barn fire which led to a devastating diagnosis for one soap favourite.

On Friday night, fans witnessed the gut-wrenching moment when Moira Dingle, portrayed by actress Natalie J Robb, was diagnosed with a type of brain tumour called a meningioma.

Moira's recent worrying actions, marked by personality shifts, uncontrolled outbursts, disorientation, memory lapses and seizures, was finally explained by this shocking revelation as she received treatment in hospital following the barn fire.

Although the tumour is non-cancerous, it plunges Moira into a realm of concern over her uncertain future, the daunting prospect of surgery and exploring other treatment options. For this storyline, Emmerdale has sought expertise from Brains Trust and The Brain Tumour Charity, ensuring that Moira's journey is depicted sensitively and correctly with continued guidance throughout the production process.

Actress Natalie, who plays Moira, said of the storyline: "I feel really fortunate to be trusted with such a challenging storyline. Moira and her family have an extremely challenging time ahead, and I'm hoping I can portray it in a truthful way that does justice to all the people who are really suffering with a brain tumour."

If you have been affected by this story, you can get support and help at The Brain Tumour Charity or Brains Trust.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.