Soap fans fume as Emmerdale and Coronation Street get pulled from ITV Christmas schedule

ITV viewers have suddenly noticed that some episodes of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been yanked from the Christmas schedules - sparking an angry backlash

Soap fans are up in arms over ITV's decision to pull classic episodes of Emmerdale and Coronation Street from the schedules over Christmas.

While new episodes air during the week on ITV1 and via ITVX, devout soap fans - and also those looking for an injection of nostalgia - have been able to rely on ITV3 to replay old episodes of classic soap action. Replay episodes of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street are traditionally found on the channel, offering comfort to easy viewing fans.

But this Christmas, a decision has been made to axe the airing of old episodes - and fans are kicking off over the decision. Taking to social media, fans of the older episodes of the timeless ITV soaps have raged over the decision to change up the schedules for the festive season.

Meanwhile, fans of the current storylines are on edge over plans for the 2024 Christmas episodes of the soaps - which are set to continue as planned. The change of scheduling has been flagged in a fan group on Reddit.

A poster commented: "Just to let you know, there will be no Classic Emmerdale on ITV 3 from [December 23rd] until the 2nd January due to the Christmas holidays, so films will be taken over. Same goes for Classic Corrie."

The revelation has angered and distressed fans, with one writing in reaction: "I feel gutted they aren't showing classic coronation street over Christmas." While another added: "Think I would sooner watch classic Emmerdale than crappy Xmas movies!"

ITV viewers will see the latest festive episodes air on ITV1 as expected - with Emmerdale lined up to play on Christmas Day at 6:30pm, followed by an hour-long episode of Corrie at 7pm. The Radio Times reports of the Christmas Day episode of Emmerdale: "Emmerdale is going for a feelgood factor, as Belle is reunited with cute pooch Piper, reports of whose demise were greatly exaggerated by toxic Tom."

While Coronation Street fans are on edge to discover how Gail Platt will exit Weatherfield - with many terrified the iconic character could be killed off in a shock festive twist. Avoiding spoilers, the Radio Times describes the Christmas Day hour long special thus: "It remains to be seen whether Gail will depart Weatherfield a married woman, Adam suffers a festive fall, and Daniel's proposal takes Bethany by surprise. Seasonal goodwill is in short supply for Nick, Toyah and Leanne."

Helen Worth, 73, who has played Gail for 50 years on the long-running soap and stunned fans earlier this year when she revealed she is bowing out. Announcing her resignation in June, she said: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.

"I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding. I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew. The past 50 years have flown by and I don't think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”

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