For many British households, Christmas night tradition involves settling on the sofa with a plate of leftovers to watch the annual dose of carnage, death and misery unfold in EastEnders. This year, however, the battle for the title of most tragic festive soap is fiercer than ever, with Coronation Street and Emmerdale launching a full-scale assault on the crown. All three major soaps are pulling out all the stops to deliver a spectacularly grim holiday season.
Coronation Street: Secrets, Attacks and a Super-Couple in Peril
In Weatherfield, the chaotic Driscoll family have made themselves at home in the Rovers Return. With Eva hiding a significant secret and Maggie armed with enough ammunition to ruin the family's festive meal, tensions are set to explode. The situation takes an even darker turn when a character is violently attacked behind the pub, promising nasty surprises for viewers.
Meanwhile, the vicious Becky appears to have villainous Lisa and Betsy under her control. Yet Lisa's only true desire is Carla, who is revealed not to be enjoying a sunny break in Lanzarote but to be in grave danger thanks to Becky. The beloved cobbles couple face the prospect of finding the ultimate lump of coal in their Christmas stockings.
Emmerdale: Robron's Nightmare and a Fight to the Death
Fan-favourite couple Robron are put through the wringer once again in the Dales. Just as they hope to relax, unhinged enemies Kev and John begin circling, hungry for revenge. When Robert vanishes while following a lead, a panicked Aaron sets out to find him, leading to a situation that goes massively pear-shaped and involves a gun with murderous intent.
They are not the only ones in jeopardy. The wicked Celia, her schemes exposed, plans to flee the village. However, with her son Ray growing close to Laurel and imagining a life free from her influence, Celia begins to lose her last ally. True to form, she ensures that crossing her has severe consequences, with a literal 'fight to the death' signalling how the year will end in Emmerdale.
EastEnders: Stalkers, Flashforwards and Ghosts of Christmas Past
Walford is far from quiet. Zoe's return has sparked a chain of events involving shouting, slapping, a stalker and missing children, all culminating in a dramatic showdown in The Queen Vic. Given the pub's history of festive murders, another Christmas Day death is a distinct possibility, potentially changing life forever for the Slaters.
Max Branning is also back, but typical of his character, he proceeds to ruin everything he touches. The soap offers a tantalising glimpse of his future with a flashforward to Christmas 2026, hinting at drama to come. In a more poignant storyline, Nigel is guided through his dementia confusion by ghosts from Walford's past, including the iconic Pat Butcher and Barry Evans, in a 1990s-themed Vic, packed with emotion and nostalgia.
This is merely the beginning. The explosive plots build towards a major Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover event, dubbed 'Corriedale'. Premiered in late 2025, this special episode promises to be a game-changer. Coronation Street airs on ITV and ITVX on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Emmerdale airs daily on ITV and ITVX. EastEnders airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer every Monday to Thursday. All three soaps will broadcast for an hour on Christmas Day 2025.
