Emmerdale boss teases 'life or death' twist and 'surprise arrival' in 'exciting' Christmas

The ITV soap aired an explosive barn fire last week (Image: ITV)

Emmerdale boss, Iain MacLeod, has promised the ITV soap's 'most exciting' Christmas yet.

With only 100 days until the festive season, the anticipation for Emmerdale's Christmas special is ramping up and Iain has teased details of the upcoming dramatic episodes.

Dropping major hints of 'life or death' suspense and a 'huge surprise arrival', Iain revealed Christmas filming is due to start soon with storyline shockwaves to ripple well into 2025.

Talking to Digital Spy, Iain teased: "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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Emmerdale is set for explosive Christmas episodes (Image: ITV)

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."

Encouraging viewers to brace for a gripping 2025, he continued: "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", reports the Manchester Evening News.

Emmerdale is riding high on a wave of success, having recently secured the Serial Drama prize at the National Television Awards. Meanwhile, over in the village, the ITV soap has left viewers gripped after a barn fire led to a devastating diagnosis for one favourite.

In a particularly emotional episode last Friday, viewers witnessed distressing scenes where Moira Dingle, played by the talented Natalie J Robb, was informed she has a brain tumour known as meningioma.

Emmerdale is set to tackle a heart-wrenching brain tumour storyline for Moira Dingle (Image: ITV) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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The puzzling symptoms that Moira had been exhibiting from dramatic personality changes to frightening seizures were all attributed to the tumour, unravelling the mystery behind her erratic behaviour amid the barn blaze.

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.

Emmerdale boss teases 'life or death' twist and 'surprise arrival' in 'exciting' Christmas

Emmerdale boss teases 'life or death' twist and 'surprise arrival' in 'exciting' Christmas

Emmerdale boss teases 'life or death' twist and 'surprise arrival' in 'exciting' Christmas

Emmerdale boss teases 'life or death' twist and 'surprise arrival' in 'exciting' Christmas

Emmerdale boss teases 'life or death' twist and 'surprise arrival' in 'exciting' Christmas