Emmerdale [News, Spoilers and Discussion]

Lives will be lost in Emmerdale in the New Year when a massive fire causes terror and tragedy, it has been announced.

The shock new storyline will see a blaze rip through a row of cottages in the heart of the village in some of the soap's most spectacular scenes ever.

Show bosses have confirmed that at least two characters will perish in the inferno, although the identities of the casualties will be kept closely under wraps until transmission.

Betty Eagleton (Paula Tilbrook), Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) and Gennie Walker (Sian Reese-Williams) are just three of the villagers who have been named as possible victims of the flames.

Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) and Terry Woods (Billy Hartman) will also be in danger when the fire spreads to their home, while Viv Hope (Deena Payne) is another show favourite whose life may be left on the line.

In a further twist, the aftermath of the blaze will see the distressing discovery that the fire was no accident. As the survivors mourn the dead, they must deal with the disturbing realisation that an arsonist has struck and could be among them.

Speaking of the storyline, Emmerdale's series producer Gavin Blyth commented: "This is going to be one of the most dramatic and tragic events ever to rock Emmerdale and no-one will be untouched by the fire's devastating consequences.

"The whole village will be thrown together for these gripping and heart-wrenching episodes which will launch us into an unmissable 2011."

Emmerdale's arson plot will air in the middle of January.

Monday 20th

Fears are growing after another cold night with no sign of Jacob, and as the search continues, everyone's terrified that time could be running out. The villagers rally round, but Alicia falls apart when she's informed that a family liaison officer is on his way round. Leyla tries to support her sister, while David comforts Justin who's struggling to cope and blaming Alicia.
Returning back from a police press conference, the atmosphere between Alicia and Justin is brittle as he continues to accuse her of being a bad mother. Biting back that she's the one who's brought him up, Justin is incensed and blurts out that he's more right to Jacob than anyone - he's his natural father. Leyla pales as David looks at her in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Rhona summons Marlon and Paddy and admits all she can think about is her baby and she doesn't think she can let it go now. Both men are thrilled and vow to stick by her. As she talks about the future, Marlon's elated he's going to be a dad and can't hold back his tears.
Elsewhere, Hazel works out who her mystery benefactor is; Maisie gives Will a letter from Natasha and he angrily tears it up, shouting that he just wants his dad back; and Gennie informs a half-flattered Lisa that Derek seems to be holding a torch for her.



Tues 21st

Numbed with shock, David looks to Leyla, who can't find the strength to deny Justin's claim and crumbles. With Jacob lost and her world falling apart, Alicia is incensed. Turning on Leyla, she slaps her hard in the face. David angrily laughs at the irony of thinking they were having an affair, but when Leyla guiltily claims it was a lie that saved a lot of heartache, Alicia cuts in - what kind of woman sleeps with her man and gives her the baby in consolation?
As David pulls Alicia away, she despairs that they've always quarrelled but deep down she thought Leyla gave her Jacob because she loved her, not out of guilt. After pleading for forgiveness, Leyla cries that she regrets her night with Justin but she can't regret Jacob. We then see that Jacob has holed himself up in a derelict house - the stairs collapse, trapping him…
Meanwhile, Declan is not happy when Ella innocently mentions she's invited his dad Dermot over. As Dermot arrives in the village, he receives a warm welcome from Ella and Mia, while Declan remains reserved and tries to bribe his father to stay away.
Elsewhere, Chas is taken aback when Carl gives her a proper proposal and hands over a stunning diamond ring, and Maisie and Nikhil enlist Ryan to help with Will's grief.

Wed 22nd

Jacob has been missing for three days and messages of support flood in as the search appeal goes national. Up on the moors, everyone is searching and when a faint whimper is heard from a disused building followed by a crash, Leyla and David panic upon realising Jacob is trapped.
Leyla makes to go inside, but David pulls her back claiming it's too dangerous - he'll go. Inside, as the building starts to crumble further, David sees Jacob. More debris falls, but Jacob puts himself in jeopardy to rescue him. Will both escape unharmed?
Meanwhile, Charity can see Chas is falling for Carl all over again and reminds her that no matter how pretty the diamond ring is, it doesn't take away months of lies. Later, Chas feels uncomfortable as Carl cuddles her on the sofa with one hand on her 'pregnant' stomach. Will she be able to dismiss her feelings for him and go through with the big day?
Elsewhere, Dermot's behaviour at Home Farm starts to annoy Declan, and Nikhil feels jealous that Will would prefer to spend time with Ryan rather than him.



Thurs 23rd

It's the night of Chas's hen do, and as the festivities get under way and all the girls get their sexy santa costumes on, Chas tries to blot out her feelings. Although she's enjoying giving Eve the majority of dares, Chas is saddened to realise how much she and Carl share when she plays Mr and Mrs.
When Carl smiles at her from across the bar, Chas is hit by the fact this is all a sham and slips away from the party. Carl notices she's gone, but when Eve approaches having had one too many and being very tactile, he has to tell her to back off. Cain sees them together, and thinking he's caught them at it, punches Carl.
Meanwhile, unable to stomach her lies, David leaves Leyla to stay at the B&B. At the hospital, Justin tells Alicia that Jacob is clearly not happy where he is and should stay with him. Alicia and Leyla protest and Justin claims he will fight for custody.
Elsewhere, Katie loses patience with Andy and Henshall; a mystery begins when Val opens a card for Pollard from someone called Elizabeth; Hazel panics when the council informs her that they're sending someone over to the house; and things are awkward between Scarlett and Adam.





23rd Dec

Charity and Jimmy quickly intervene in Cain and Carl's brawl and Charity drags Cain into the loos. Filling him in about their plan for the sham wedding, she tears a strip off him for nearly ruining everything. Cain is greatly amused by their scheming and hurries to make things up with Carl. He apologises, blaming it all on Eve - insisting he'd made a mistake. Carl can't believe he got away with it.
At Mill, a tearful Chas sits alone, confused by her feelings. Carl arrives back worried about where she'd gone, and her heart breaks to see his concern at her 'pregnancy'. Unable to resist, she gives in to her feelings and kisses him passionately…
Meanwhile, Alicia tells Leyla that she's grateful for her support over Justin, but it can't take away her hurt at the betrayal. Leyla insists she'll stand by her sister and fight with her if Justin tries to take Jacob away.
Elsewhere, Declan vows that he will only tolerate Dermot until Boxing Day, and Katie tells Andy to butt out of her life but then worries she's been too harsh.

24th December

Hazel and Aaron are gutted when they go to collect Jackson and the doctor informs them that there's been a slight complication and he needs to stay overnight.
At the hospital, it's getting late and Jackson's surprised when Aaron arrives, telling him he wasn't going to let him spend Christmas Eve alone. As they watch a DVD on Jackson's bed, there's a tender but bittersweet moment of closeness between them.
Meanwhile, Charity is floored when Chas defends Carl after she tries to imply that he and Eve were up to something last night and warns her not to put the brakes on this now. Later, Charity can't believe it when Chas tells her she doesn't know what to do - all she knows is that she loves Carl and she needs some space…
Elsewhere, Declan is unable to resist Ella's attraction when they kiss under the mistletoe; Pollard panics when he overhears Amy taking a Christmas dinner booking for one from a lady called Elizabeth; Eve is grateful when Edna tells her that she'll come to the wedding to support her; and Katie and Gennie are being plagued by nuisance calls.

Christmas Day - 25th of Dec

It's the day of Carl and Chas's wedding, and while there's a happy atmosphere at Brook Cottage with Carl, Chas is dreading the day ahead at Mill Cottage. Finally in her wedding dress and looking beautiful, Chas contemplates how she feels about being a bride. She's surprised when Paddy shows up with a gift, apologising for not being able to make it and claiming that she and Carl are meant to be together.
At the church, Charity is dumbfounded when Chas starts to walk down the aisle with Zak. Will she go ahead with her plan and expose the affair, humiliating Carl at the altar? Or will she make her way down the aisle and marry the man she clearly still loves?
Meanwhile, Aaron and Hazel are both excited as they finally take Jackson home. In Dale Head, Jackson is both sobered and impressed to see his new living arrangements. Later, Aaron hopes he's had a good day and Jackson tells him that he genuinely couldn't think of anywhere he'd rather be.
Elsewhere, Katie's thrown when Henshall comes all the way to the village on Christmas Day to give her a present; Pollard is on edge as he awaits the arrival of dinner guest Elizabeth; and Rhona looks to the future with Paddy and Marlon's support.