A Festive Season Full of Twists

Christmas in the Dales is shaping up to be unforgettable. As Emmerdale gears up for its festive run, the cast have promised a whirlwind of emotions — from laugh-out-loud moments to heart-wrenching drama and even a life-threatening stunt. Filming is set to begin soon, and according to the stars, this year’s holiday episodes will have everything fans could hope for — and more.

“It’s Going to Be Innocent and Silly”

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the Inside Soap Awards, Bradley Riches — who plays newcomer Lewis Barton — hinted that this year’s Christmas scenes will take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster. “It’s exciting!” he said with a grin. “It’s going to be innocent, silly — you’re gonna be like, ‘What the hell is going on?’”

Co-star Shebz Miah, who plays Kammy, agreed that a dose of levity is just what the show needs. “It’s the light-hearted scenes I feel we need,” he shared. “There’s quite a few things happening. It’s Emmerdale — they’re always changing things! It’s going to be fun.”

Gabby’s Christmas Birthday

Rosie Bentham, who plays Gabby Thomas, was careful not to give too much away, but she did drop one delightful detail: “It’s Gabby’s birthday on Christmas Day,” she laughed. “That’s it — there you go. 25th December 2001. The whole episode’s about her and her birthday!”

Of course, Emmerdale fans know that nothing in the village ever stays lighthearted for long — even birthdays can take unexpected turns.

A Tragic Twist for Bear

Things are set to turn darker elsewhere in the village, with a devastating storyline involving Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards). Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny Dingle, revealed: “We’ve got the Bear storyline coming up!”

Lisa Riley, who plays his on-screen mum Mandy Dingle, added: “We don’t know where Bear is. That’s going to play out all the way till Christmas — and past Christmas.”

It sounds like heartbreak will hang heavy over the Dingles this festive season, even as other storylines bring comic relief.

A Deadly Stunt on the Horizon

If that weren’t enough, the stars also teased that a massive stunt will headline Emmerdale’s Christmas episodes. Lisa Riley hinted that director Vicky Thomas — who oversaw last year’s explosive limousine crash — is once again at the helm. “If they’ve got Vicky Thomas doing Christmas,” she said knowingly, “something big is happening.”

Vicky herself has described the preparation for such large-scale scenes as “epic,” recalling how her team once had to construct an entire frozen lake in the studio car park for a previous storyline. If history is any indication, fans can expect another jaw-dropping visual spectacle this December.

What Awaits in the Dales This Christmas?

Between Gabby’s birthday chaos, Bear’s disappearance, and whispers of a deadly stunt, Emmerdale’s Christmas looks set to balance humour and heartbreak in perfect soap fashion.

Whether it’s laughter over mince pies or tears by the fire, the festive season in the Dales promises to deliver everything fans love most — and maybe one shocking twist no one sees coming.