Coronation Street and Emmerdale made a groundbreaking soap announcement this week by revealing that they’ll be joining forces for a jaw-dropping crossover episode next year.

As the ITV soaps gear up for a new scheduling pattern in January 2026, an hour-long special will see characters from both soaps take centre stage in the same stunt storyline.

While precise details are being kept under wraps for now, we can expect familiar faces from the shows to be caught up in carnage.

In an interactive twist, fans can even vote for which characters from different shows they’d like to see interact on screen for the first time.

Read the full story: Coronation Street and Emmerdale announce dramatic hour-long crossover for 2026

EastEnders fan favourite Lacey Turner is bowing out from her role as Stacey Slater.

Lacey shared her plans to “take a rest” at the start of this week, but show bosses assured fans that the door will be left open for a potential return.

“We can confirm that Lacey will be off-screen later this year, but there is plenty of more drama to come beforehand and we will look forward to planning Stacey’s return when Lacey decides the time is right,” a spokesperson said.

Stacey is currently struggling following the death of her on-off partner Martin and fans will see her troubles come to a head in next week’s episodes.

Read the full story: EastEnders‘ Lacey Turner to leave soap with ‘dramatic’ exit planned

EastEnders airs a huge car crash storyline later this month.

The BBC soap shared the first teaser for the plot on social media this week, as newly-released footage showed the driver of a silver car lose control of the vehicle.

In nail-biting scenes, the car is sent off a bridge and goes plunging into a lake.

Further details of the storyline and who’s involved will be released very soon…

Read the full story: First look – EastEnders teases dramatic car crash storyline in new trailer

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver set our minds at rest this week amid fears that her character Eileen Grimshaw could be heading to jail.

Eileen has faced trouble with the police recently following mistaken theories that she could have helped her sister Julie Carp to die.

With Eileen leaving soon, fans were starting to worry but Sue has now assured us that the long-running character will thankfully get a happy ending, leaving the Street for a joyful fresh start. She certainly deserves it after so much drama, right?

Read the full story: Coronation Street star confirms Eileen’s exit plot after 25 years – and it’s not prison

Coronation Street fans see Craig Tinker’s life hang in the balance next week as his time on the show nears its end.

PC Tinker is brutally attacked in the line of duty while desperately trying to prove himself to his superior colleague Kit Green as part of his CID training.

Colson Smith, who plays Craig, recently teased: “I can’t wait for people to see Craig’s final scenes. It is exactly the exit I wanted for him and we are all really proud of what we filmed in those final weeks.

“It was actually great fun. I was walking around covered in fake blood for days and I was chuffed that I got to work with so many brilliant people in this final storyline.”

Read the full story: Coronation Street confirms Craig’s exit story – and it’s truly shocking

John Sugden’s secrets come back to haunt him on Emmerdale next week. With his wedding getting closer, there are several catastrophes which could spoil the big day.

John’s in for a nasty shock when his ex-lover Aidan Moore finally wakes from his coma, which threatens to expose some of his secrets.

Things only get worse when the recent slurry spill leads to the water company vowing to dredge up the local lake, where Nate’s body has been hidden.

Will John make it down the aisle before anyone finds out that he’s a killer?

Read the full story: Emmerdale reveals Nate story ending as John receives huge news

Home and Away‘s latest batch of River Boys are about to turn ruthless again as they target four popular Summer Bay locals.

Out for revenge after gang leader Gage was reported to the police, the remaining River Boys ambush Sonny, Theo, Lacey and Dana while they’re out in a car together.

Will everyone survive the drama that’s about to unfold?

Read the full story: Home and Away confirms four characters in danger in River Boys ambush

Neighbours legend Karl Kennedy faces terrible danger next month.

The Aussie soap has released teaser spoilers confirming that poor old Karl will face a fight for his life as a sinister new story unfolds.

Although further details won’t be released until nearer the time, it seems a fair bet that Darcy will be involved after their weeks of tensions. Just how far will Darcy go to get what he wants?

Read the full story: Neighbours death fears for Karl Kennedy after 30 years – ‘Fight of his life’

Hollyoaks legend Tom Cunningham is heading back to the Channel 4 soap as part of Clare Devine’s return storyline.

Popular actor Ellis Hollins is reprising the role after nearly a year away, and there’s sure to be drama as he comes face-to-face with his dangerous nemesis Clare again.

Tom’s exit scenes aired in September last year, as the character was written out as part of Hollyoaks‘ cast reduction.

Read the full story: Hollyoaks bringing back second fan favourite for Clare Devine storyline

Continuing the theme of Hollyoaks comebacks, Warren Fox is also making a return to the Channel 4 soap.

Warren’s return airs later this month, just a few weeks after he appeared in the show’s special flashback episode.

This time, Warren is featuring in scenes set in the present day – what role will he play in the ongoing dramas in the village? Could he help son Joel through his woes with stalker Tommy? Or is he back for Mercedes again?