Quickly finding herself without money and with nowhere to go, April fell in with two other homeless youths – Dylan and Bex. Staying with the pair at the dilapidated building they were sheltered in, April found trust and friendship. Together, they soon fell into a daily routine.
However, tragedy was in store.
A mugger stabbed April’s friend, Bex (Credit: ITV)
Bex dies as April looks on in Emmerdale
It was while April and Bex were begging on the streets of Leeds that a mugger attacked, stealing April’s things. Bex gave chase – and the mugger stabbed her.
She was rushed to hospital, where she later died. Viewers will have noticed that this makes Bex the same young girl that Jacob mistakenly identified as April last month – and explains how she came by April’s ID.
However, it doesn’t explain everything. And some fans have been left confused by the logistics of it all.
Jacob’s not the only confused one (Credit: ITV)
What was Bex doing in Hotten, fans wonder
Writing on social media as the episode aired, fans registered their confusion. And many wondered how Bex had bypassed Leeds to end up in Hotten.
“If April ran away to a big city (Leeds?), how did the girl she was staying with who got killed end up in Hotten General?” asked one fan.
“So if it was Bex who they mistook for April, why would she have been in the A&E miles away?” another wondered.
“Why didn’t they take that lass to Leeds A&E?” said a third.
“Is that the girl that was brought into Emmerdale’s nearest hospital when she was stabbed in Leeds? What a load!” another exclaimed.
A curious misstep for an episode many have hailed as one of the soap’s most powerful.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Last night’s episode of Emmerdale had fans questioning who the father of April’s baby might be – as the soap revealed that the missing teenager had fallen pregnant prior to running away from home on Christmas Day 2024. As fans reeled from the bombshell news, a number of theories soon emerged as to who the father might be.
From the list of suspects, two names proved popular – recently murdered predator Anthony Fox, and local hardman Ross Barton. With Anthony’s evil past having recently resurfaced, some have wondered whether he might have victimised young April prior to his own disappearance.
And then there’s Ross, who April bonded with in the days shortly before running away. These facts, combined with April’s obvious trauma, led some to wonder whether either man could have groomed the vulnerable teenager.
Lateral thinking – but extremely unlikely. Here’s why those particular fan theories might not hold water.
Viewers are wondering whether Anthony could have attacked April (Credit: ITV)
The timeline doesn’t add up for Anthony
Anthony first arrived in the village in November. April disappeared two months later, and gave birth in last night’s episode. The timing of this alone, would seem to rule him out.
Anthony’s past may have earned him a bashing from Laurel, but he had been on his best behaviour since getting his feet under Ruby and Caleb’s table. Indeed, he seemed far more concerned with tormenting Ruby and making in-roads with Steph than anything else.
“It’s more likely to be Anthony but considering he did nothing to Angel and his abuse seems based on only ruby it also seems less likely,” wrote one fan in a Reddit thread.
“If one more person says Anthony is the dad I will lose it,” said another, less diplomatically.
Ross struck up a friendship with Ross (Credit: ITV)
Ross would never
The timeline for Ross doesn’t add up either, with the village hardman returning to the soap in October. But beyond that, there’s a far more solid reason why it can’t be him – he would never.
“Ross is many things but a nonce is not one of them,” wrote one fan.
April was keeping secrets from her family (Credit: ITV)
Who’s the father of April’s baby in Emmerdale?
Who the father turns out to be remains to be seen. But it’s far more likely that it’s an as-yet unknown figure – perhaps from April’s school, or a man she met on social media.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Fans of Emmerdale have heaped praise upon star Amelia Flanagan following her performance as April in last night’s harrowing episode. This came as the soap revealed what had become of the teenager during the four weeks of her disappearance.
As she took to the streets of Leeds, April found herself lost and with nowhere to turn – falling in with a group of homeless youths. It was then that viewers learned April was pregnant.
And, as her situation went from bad to worse, April suffered a stillbirth in a nearby gym. She then passed out on a park bench, which is where she was found and subsequently rushed to the hospital.
Amid this very special episode, viewers had nothing but praise for its young star.
Amelia found herself lost, alone and in agony (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale fans sing the praises of April star Amelia Flanagan
Writing on X as the episode aired, viewers highlighted Amelia’s powerful performance as young April.
“Give Amelia Flanagan all the awards. Incredible performance as April,” wrote one fan.
“I’ve just finished tonight’s #Emmerdale and for 16 years old Amelia Flanagan is outstanding. What a terribly sad story for poor Amelia. Lots of questions left unanswered too…” said another.
“Amelia Flanagan made a great job of that difficult story. Hard as it is to believe April thinking life on the streets better than her loving home, there’s no doubting the quality of this episode,” a third said.
“Wow that episode was harrowing and triggering. Poor April 🙁 what a shining star Amelia is, amazing,” said a fourth.
PC Swirling revealed that April had been found (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale spoilers tonight: Marlon is reunited with April
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Last night’s episode of Emmerdale revealed the bombshell news that April Windsor was pregnant – but who’s the father of April’s baby? As a flashback episode told her story, the soap showed how April had run away from home after falling pregnant.
Sleeping rough in Leeds, she fell in with a crowd of younger homeless persons – before one was killed and the other arrested, leaving her all alone. April’s waters broke as she roamed the streets and, as she gave birth in a nearby gym, she suffered a tragic still birth.
She then passed out on a bench in the park where she was presumably found… leading to PC Swirling’s news on Monday that April had been located.
Fans have wondered whether it was former crush Arthur (Credit: ITV)
Arthur the father of April’s baby, Emmerdale fans predict
Of all the fan theories, one seemingly unlikely suspect is young Arthur Thomas. Arthur came out as gay in 2022, but some viewers have questioned whether the teenager may have slept with April at some point last year regardless.
“It could be Arthur as there was that storyline around September were he was suddenly obsessed with Sex. He could have decided to sleep with April to tell his fellow college students he has slept with someone,” wrote one fan.
“All this while she was far gone and she was drinking??, I hope Arthur didn’t do this,” said another.
April did develop a crush on Arthur at one point but, by all accounts, this still seems unlikely.
Anthony’s clearly a danger to girls (Credit: ITV)
Anthony
Another sinister theory has seen fans worrying that village predator Anthony may have attacked April in the months prior to her disappearance – and his own.
“Did Anthony strike one last time before he popped his clogs or was April gone before Anthony arrived??” asked one fan.
“Hope it isn’t Anthony’s!! 🤮🤮” said another.
Ross reconnected with April after Jade’s thugs kidnapped her (Credit: ITV)
Ross
Prior to her disappearance, Ross had grown close to April – saving her when she was kidnapped (or at least trying to) and telling her the truth about mum Donna. This has led to some speculation that he might be the baby’s father.
“Ross? They were oddly close before he pushed her away,” asked one fan on Reddit.
However, this theory was quickly dismissed. Not only do the timelines not add up, but, as another pointed out: “Ross is many things but a nonce is not one of them.”
What has troubled April been hiding from her parents? (Credit: ITV)
Is an as-yet unknown boy the father of April’s baby on Emmerdale?
The likeliest theory is that the father is an unknown schoolmate or friend of April’s. As yesterday’s episode began, we saw April attempting to call up a number of friends in hope of a room.
“Who are all these ‘mates’ April is calling? Is one of them the daddy? Where did they come from?” asked one fan.
“I think we’re about to find out that April was living an entire life, with internet friends, that her friends and family were completely unaware of,” said another.
“I’ve said this before, but I think this all ties to her social media account. I think April has been living a secret life with people she met online,” a third speculated.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Emmerdale aired a special episode for April Windsor tonight (Tuesday, February 4). It showed us a glimpse of her life on the streets.
The whole half an hour episode shared exactly what had happened to April since she went missing on Christmas Day last year.
And, the whole 30 minute instalment had us feeling all sorts of emotions. We were left with our mouths open the whole way through.
April was living on the streets (Credit: ITV)
April pregnant and living on the streets in Emmerdale
Tonight’s episode showed the last month or so of April’s life on the streets, condensed into half an hour.
April was initially seen getting into a stranger’s car. She was then dropped off at a hotel after her friends failed to offer her a place to stay.
Spending the night at the hotel, April then started living on the streets. She befriended a homeless lad who then proceeded to try to take her money (but he then realised that she didn’t have any and decided to give her some shelter instead.)
During her time on the streets, April revealed that she was pregnant. She struggled to find the food and money needed to keep both herself and her unborn baby alive.
At one point, April’s friend Bex was helping her ask for food and tried to protect her when someone mugged her. As she tried to run after the thief, Bex got stabbed. Yes, she was the sadly the girl who Marlon had identified in A&E as not being April.
In another ordeal, the police turned up at the place April was staying at. They then arrested her other friend (the lad who had originally allowed her to stay there.)
Realising that all of her friends had gone, she then took ended up giving birth to a stillborn baby in a toilet cubicle. She then headed off to sleeping on a park bench – alone.
Give Emmerdale those awards! (Credit: ITV)
Opinion: April special episode was a heartbreaking masterpiece
It might’ve only been 30 minutes but the episode sure packed in a lot of drama during this time. We finally got given the answers (and were provided with even more questions) as to what happened to April after a month of waiting and it didn’t disappoint.
The whole month time frame being condensed into one episode was really well done. It helped us get up-to-date with April’s story really quickly, in a clever way.
Seeing April struggle and face the dangers of living on the streets at such a young age was extremely difficult to watch. But, it was definitely a story that needed to be told. Seeing a fifteen year old April not only homeless but also pregnant, struggling for food and a place of safety to live broke our hearts.
We’ve seen April grow up on our screens for years now. And, many of us still view her as that cute little child that entered the village with mum Donna. Well, this episode has been the perfect transition from Amelia Flanagan to go from child to adult acting, which can be a huge challenge for some. Yet, for actress Amelia, she proved that she’s more than capable of serious, adult storylines. An absolute talent.
The added details made all the difference
Not only did we get to view April’s story, we were also given a face, name and story to Bex – the girl we learnt had died from the stabbing. The girl Marlon and Rhona were originally led to believe was April. This added detail to the episode broke us even more, reminding us that whilst Emmerdale may be set in a fictional world, the stories told are very real and are happening to such young, vulnerable people.
Now, with April found after such a stomach-churning experience for us viewers, we dread to imagine the pain April and Marlon and their loved ones will go through as we find out just what happened to the teenager and her baby.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Emmerdale aired a special episode focused on April Windsor tonight which saw her suffer a stillborn birth (Tuesday, February 4) – but who is the father of April’s baby?
With the episode ending on the teen in a bad way on a park bench, we have so many questions about what happens next!
Will she come out of this ordeal alive? (Credit: ITV)
1. Does April die?
Near the end of the episode, a little girl was seen wandering up to April on a park bench and asking if she was okay as she didn’t look well.
Her mum then guided the girl away, leaving April to lie on the bench all alone and in a state.
All alone and with her friends no longer by her side, April was without shelter, money or food. But, does she die? Will someone find her and give her some support before it’s too late? We hope the storyline doesn’t end in such a tragedy!
Where and how will they find her? (Credit: ITV)
2. How do the police find April in Emmerdale?
We know that Marlon and Rhona were told on Monday night (February 3) by PC Swirling that April had been found.
However, he urged them to sit down and asked if he could sit down too (so the news must be bad…)
But, we’re now wondering how the police found April… Did she ask someone for help? Did they find her in such a bad way that someone reported her to them? Was she found in hospital or on the streets?
Does she give birth? (Credit: ITV)
3. What happens to her baby?
We all got a right shock when a twist revealed that April was living on the streets and… pregnant.
Tonight, we saw her feel the baby kick for the first time as everything started to become a bit more real for her. She was going to be a mother who was going to raise her child on the streets.
But, with April living in such awful conditions, she gave birth to the baby in the toilet cubicle. And, it looked like it didn’t make it. But, what did baby do with her baby after giving birth to it?
Who is the baby’s father? (Credit: ITV)
4. Who is the father of April’s baby?
April was sick on her first night of being homeless, soon admitting that she was pregnant. This means that April was pregnant BEFORE she went missing which leads us to wonder who the baby daddy is…
We know that April was acting rebelliously during the months before she disappeared, drinking and spending her time with new friends. But, is the baby daddy someone we know? Or, is it someone April is newly acquainted with? We don’t even have a hint at this stage. We need answers, Emmerdale!
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Emmerdale fans have been left worried that Cain Dingle may have made the situation worse for Aaron by going to the police over Anthony’s death. Last night’s episode saw Cain learn that Ruby had killed Anthony… and he had a lot of tidying up to do.
His shock grew as Caleb told him that Aaron and John had tried to cover the whole thing up… using his garage. His frustration continued to grow as he got a telling off from Manpreet in the Woolpack, informing him that she’d gone to the police with a noise complaint.
After giving Aaron and Chas a telling off, Cain put a plan into action…
Cain paid the police station a visit (Credit: ITV)
Cain goes to the police amid Ruby confession
Cain’s next move was a very un-Cain-like one. He went to the police station himself. Hoping to cover the tracks of those involved, he told the duty officer that someone had seen Anthony after his reported disappearance.
All fine and well for Laurel, who is now seemingly off the hook. Good news too for the police investigation, which has been closed for now. But did Cain really think it through?
While he may have quietened things for now, he could very well have made things worse for Aaron.
Cain quickly got involved in the cover-up (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale fans worried for Aaron as Cain goes to the police
Writing on social media as last night’s episode aired, fans shared their thoughts on Cain’s latest move. And many agreed that it might spell trouble for Aaron.
“Cain sticking his beak into the situation felt like he just wanted to be involved in the whole thing. If Anthony’s body is found & death dated exactly he’s dropped Aaron in it big time. If he gave the story to police Aaron saw him last & scrapped his car after hours!” exclaimed one fan – putting together a timeline which would make Aaron the last person to see him alive and well.
“From what I’m seeing is Cain digging them into a bigger hole by going to police?” concurred another.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Fans of Emmerdale have branded Rhona Goskirk a ‘hypocrite’ following her behaviour last night – as she slammed Marlon for prioritising missing April over Leo, Ivy and the rest of his family.
In last night’s episode (Monday, February 3), Marlon hit an all-new low in his search for April. Having spent the night out looking for his daughter, he was beaten up and robbed while on the streets of Leeds.
Returning home, he remained laser-focused on April, earning the frustration of Rhona, who felt like she’d been left out in the cold, along with kids Leo and Ivy. This came to a head as Marlon lashed out at her and everyone around him.
He was talked around by Paddy and eventually made amends with Rhona… but some feel like Rhona might be forgetting something.
Rhona’s got a short memory (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale fans slam ‘hypocrite’ Rhona
As last night’s episode aired, viewers took to X to remind Rhona of her own past. Namely, her obsessive battle for baby Ivy, and the kidnapping saga which followed.
“Marlon’s doing for April the same as Rhona did for IVF [Ivy], ignoring everyone else,” wrote one fan.
“I mean Rhona has got a nerve after how obsessed and stupid she behaved over Ivy. Of course Marlon is going to be obsessed with trying to find April,” another said.
“Funny how Rhona didn’t take the same advice when she was so focused on Ivy,” wrote a third.
“Rhona u hid everything from Marlon about IVF ya hypocrite,” said a fourth.
Gus is baby Ivy’s dad (Credit: ITV)
Rhona’s battle for baby Ivy
Ivy learned that she had a daughter with ex-husband Gus in 2023. After initially trying for IVF together, he secretly used her embryos to have a child with his second wife after he’d split from Rhona. Learning that Gus and Lucy had used her embryos without her consent, Rhona was fuming.
During their confrontation, Lucy went into premature labour and died. Rhona continued visiting baby Ivy in the hospital, forming a bond with the infant.
In the months which followed, a bitter battle ensued between Gus and Rhona. While he initially allowed her to visit the child, his refusal to allow her legal rights over the child led Rhona to spiral – kidnapping Ivy and attempting to flee the country.
Cooler heads eventually prevailed, and she returned home – just as Gus was imprisoned for fraud. Ivy now resides with Rhona and her family – when the writers remember she exits, that is.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Emmerdale spoilers for next week have revealed the details of a huge disaster which will leave 16 characters in peril amid a limo crash and a terrible plunge into an ice covered lake.
This comes as the men and women of Emmerdale head off for a night on the town – in which Liam plans to propose to Chas. As the night gets underway, the group pile into two limousines.
However, disaster is set to strike as the cars crash and one limousine dives into an icy lake. With an eerie flash-forward revealing a hand pounding on the ice from below, it’s a fair bet that not everyone will survive…
A crashed limo leaves several lives in terrible danger (Credit: ITV)
Who’s most at risk as Emmerdale reveals details of ice peril?
In the two limousines are the men, led by Liam, and the women. Speaking to Metro, actor Jonny McPherson revealed the 16 names caught up in the disaster.
The girls limo, Jonny revealed, contains: “Chas, obviously, Kerry the prize winner, Leyla, Suzy, Amy, Vanessa, Charity and Mandy.”
Meanwhile, the boys’ car consists of: “Cain, Caleb, Bear and Paddy, Mackenzie, Matty and Sam and Liam. They are somewhat held up from leaving the village as the girls’ limo has got delayed and is blocking their way. Liam is pleased so many have turned up suited and booted – all very James Bondesque.”
But who’s in the most danger when disaster strikes?
Caleb’s behind the wheel when one of the limousines crashes (Credit: ITV)
1. Caleb
Driving one of the two cars, Caleb is one of those most at risk when the limousine crashes. Earlier this year, a mysterious flash-forward showed an image of Caleb fighting for his life on a hospital table, while another saw Cain crying at an unknown figure’s graveside.
This lends some credence to the theory that Caleb could find himself in serious harm’s way amid the ice stunt. Will Caleb survive the crash?
Leyla’s been unmoored for a while (Credit: ITV)
2. Leyla is fan favourite to die in Emmerdale ice stunt
Viewers learned last year that Roxy Shahidi – who plays Leyla Harding – will be leaving Emmerdale this year. With rumours of her being killed off running rife, it’s reasonable to wonder whether she might be killed in the limousine crash.
After all, poor Leyla has been at a loose end for a while now, with son Jacob and her friends in the village having little time for her recently. Is Leyla’s time up?
Charity’s driving the other car (Credit: ITV)
3. Charity
Cain Dingle is hardly an emotive man (anger aside) so it’s reasonable to think that when we see him crying at someone’s graveside, it’s probably for another Dingle. And with his two brothers, sister and his cousin/ex in both cars, there are plenty of Dingles at risk.
After struggling to find a driver, Charity and Caleb step in to drive their respective cars. And, if you look at the picture of the mystery limo, nose-down in an icy river, things don’t look good for said driver…
4. Liam
Hiring a limo (when he fails to win one) for his proposal to Chas, Liam is the one who sets this terrible train of events into motion. The villagers should be glad that there’s a doctor on hand for the aftermath… if he survives it, that is.
Liam has planned an ostentatious proposal for Chas (Credit: ITV)
5. Chas
Chas‘s glamorous trip into town comes as a welcome distraction from Aaron’s antics and helping to cover up Anthony’s murder. She survived breast cancer and being kidnapped by vengeful gangster Harry in 2023, but is her luck about to run out just as she finds happiness with her new man?
6. Sam
Ditto, the death of Sam might be enough to drive Cain to tears. Perhaps an unlikely one, given that we haven’t seen much of Sam lately, but if his being impaled during the great storm of 2022 proved anything, it’s that Sam has a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time – and surviving it.
Will tensions between Caleb and Cain overflow, causing the crash? (Credit: ITV)
7. Will Cain survive Emmerdale ice disaster?
We’ve speculated plenty on the identity of the person in the grave, but could that be the ultimate misdirect from Emmerdale? While Cain has too much unfinished business to be killed off so soon, he’s unlikely to escape without a few scars – emotional or physical.
Liam’s plans for a romantic proposal are scuppered when Kerry wins the limo prize draw, forcing him to rent a second one. And it’s the presence of a second limousine on the road which causes the fateful crash. Will Kerry’s prize be the death of her?
9. Amy
Another of the two women in the cars that Cain has fathered a child with, Amy was feeling broody last week. Husband Matty agreed that they could think about adopting – but will they live long enough?
10. Suzy
Leyla’s business partner, Suzy, bumps up the numbers in the ladies limousine. Will she also add to its bodycount?
Vanessa returned to the soap earlier this year (Credit: ITV)
11. Vanessa
Aside from having to put up with Tom King and a baby-napping Rhona, Vanessa has managed to steer clear of any major disasters since her return to the village last year.
12. Mandy narrowly escapes Emmerdale ice stunr
Mandy’s initially in the ladies’ limo as they set off for their journey, but is apparently safe and sound when it takes its icy plunge later that evening. Jonny revealed: “Mandy has to run off and sort an issue before they set off.” Is Mandy in the clear, or is this a red herring from the soap?
13. Bear
Bear joins son Paddy on a trip in Doctor Liam’s limo. He too will find himself in danger as the cars collide. Will Bear survive his wrestle with mortality?
Paddy’s been around long enough that he should know this was a bad idea (Credit: ITV)
14. Will Paddy die in Emmerdale ice stunt?
Mandy may have cleared off, but Paddy joins the men to party in the boys’ limousine. He too finds himself in harm’s way as the car loses control and collides with the other limo.
15. Mackenzie
The flash-forward last year seemed to reveal that whoever finds themselves trapped under the ice is wearing a wedding ring. Noted married man (in spite of his awful behaviour) Mack finds himself in peril, then. Mack’s many detractors may be hoping that the love rat meets his end next week.
16. Matty
Finally, Matty. Another married man with close ties to Cain Dingle, his safety is far from guaranteed.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
Emmerdale and Coronation Street are having their episodes cut and their time slots changed, ITV has announced today. Some might think it signals the soaps are on their way out, but I think it’s the best move the channel could have made.
For months we’ve had reports of Emmerdale and Coronation Street being in crisis. Large numbers of big-name cast departures have set fans on edge over the future of their favourite serial dramas.
And now ITV has made its latest announcement, there is more panic amongst viewers.
The beginning of the end, or just the beginning? (Credit: ITV)
ITV announces cuts for episodes of Emmerdale and a new time slot
From January 2026, both Emmerdale and Coronation Street will be part of a soaps ‘power hour’. Both will air every day, Monday to Friday and both will be just 30 minutes long.
Emmerdale’s new time slot is at 8pm, with Corrie following at 8.30pm. They will continue to drop at 7am on ITVX.
All this means there is five hours of each soap per week rather than six.
ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, Kevin Lygo said of the move: “The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led. We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way.
“In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.”
He added: “Research insights also show us that soap viewers are increasingly looking to the soaps for their pacey storytelling. Streaming-friendly, 30 minute episodes better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, pay-off and resolution.”
On the impact on the teams, Kevin assured they will “support our colleagues in ITV Studios as they work through these changes, and will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.”
He also admitted the move is in line with their budget constraints so they can invest more in programming at ITV.
We’ll be celebrating this news (Credit: ITV)
A cut in Emmerdale and Coronation Street episodes means less commitment
Although some may think this is the beginning of the end for the ITV soaps, I really don’t think it is. I think the channel has taken a very sensible decision to move with the times in order to safeguard the future of our favourite shows.
I have been a soap journalist for over 20 years and I love them all (most of the time!), but with a young family and a full-time job, I simply cannot commit to the amount of episodes per week. The hour-long Corrie three times a week is a definite struggle, that’s for sure. And I’m positive many others feel the same.
Of course, with the arrival of the eps on ITVX, it has become much easier to watch them in our own time. But still, the commitment is huge – go away for a week and I’m so behind, I feel like I’ll never catch up.
It’s not just the amount of time, but psychologically half an hour as opposed to an hour feels more like you can fit it in. Even if in reality, you’re only losing 60 minutes in total a week, it all seems more manageable.
There has been an awful lot of Marlon lately (Credit: ITV)
Get rid of the deadwood!
Kevin’s point about the pace of storytelling is also a good one. Take the recent April going missing plot. It has felt like we have spent a looooong time listening to Marlon crying. We all know that in reality these things do go on for a long time, however, as viewers we don’t always want to see it. Soaps have some level of poetic licence to speed things up – and 30 minute episodes help do just that.
But at the same time, it will also help us invest in the storylines more. Whilst I would never wish anyone out of a job, it’s fair to say there is some deadwood in both Emmerdale and Corrie that they could do without (naming no names!)
This move means the soaps can now focus on the characters we love, we can invest in them more, rather than the ‘filler’ plots being used to make up the time.
Will the move work for the ITV soaps?
Look at Hollyoaks: they completely changed their schedule in September 2024. They dropped from five to three episodes a week with the eps being streamed online before being shown on E4. It also moved from Channel 4 altogether. Everyone thought it was the beginning of the end – but it turned out to be the smartest move the soap could have made.
The move was made in line with changing viewer habits for their core 16-24 year old audience. Their viewing figures have risen, with them finishing 2024 23 percent up on where they were for 2023. I’d consider that a win.
And I think this cut to Emmerdale and Coronation Street is the right move for ITV to save the soaps from disappearing altogether.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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