It's going to be far from a happy new year in Emmerdale as secrets and lies are set to tear apart the soap's most loved families.
As we enter 2024, a heartbreaking tragedy occurs which will rock the village forever and things will never be the same again as relationships are tested and villagers are pushed to their limits.
The Dingles are set to take centre stage once again as Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) struggles after finally learning the truth about Craig Reed's (Ben Addis) death and Moria Dingle (Natalie J Robb) is set to drop a shocking confession which could threaten her whole life.
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As well as popular characters being faced with trouble, a familiar face is set to return to help someone in need and Caleb Milligan's (William Ash) wife arrives and quickly "puts a spanner in the works". Producer Laura Shaw has revealed what fans can expect in 2024.
Caleb's wife revealed
Fans have been wondering who Caleb Milligan's wife and Nicky Milligan's (Lewis Cope) mum is for months and they will finally get to meet mysterious Ruby next year. Laura teased: "We've heard mention before of Caleb's mum and Nicky's wife and we've just heard little bits from Caleb saying it's 'all over between them' and that 'there's nothing going on' but is that really true?
"In the new year we will see Ruby bursting onto our screens. She is an absolute firecracker. She's going to put a real spanner into the Dingles. Is her and Caleb's relationship really over as he's made out? We'll find out in the new year. Fans will have to wait and see who bosses have cast as the fiesty newcomer.
Heartbreaking tragedy
It has been confirmed that a tragedy will occur at the start of 2024 which will change dynamics for one family forever. Speaking about the hard-hitting storyline, Laura said: "There is going to be tragedy in the village in January which is going to affect two of the most loved families. It's ultimately going to tear friendships apart and change the dynamics of one of those families forever." Soap bosses have decided to keep the finer details about the storyline under wraps for now.
Dingle drama and wedding bells
The Dingles have faced plenty of heartbreak over the last few years and it isn't going to change anytime soon. Laura said: "We'll see Lydia continue to struggle at the hands of her ordeal with Craig and Lydia and Sam Dingle (James Hootton) will find out what happened on that night so how is Lydia going to cope with that news. How will Sam cope with that news too? It's going to really test Lydia and Kim Tate's (Claire King) friendship and we'll have to see if they can get it back on track similarly with Sam and Lydia, hopefully the new year will bring some new hope for them."
"Some tensions build between Aaron (Danny Miller) and Cain (Jef Hordley) leading to a brutal physical fight in the new year but who will cone out on top and win the fight? We'll have to wait and see if they both come out still standing. We'll also see Belle (Eden) and Tom King build on their relationship with wedding bells on Valentine's Day but is it going to be they're happy ever after? "Also Chas (Lucy Pargeter) has a huge storyline in the new year which is going to be shocking for her all her family and friends. You know her and Aaron have got a strange relationship at the moment so this could be the story that brings them back together.
Moria's life-changing confession
Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) will drop a huge bombshell about her past which could change her life forever as she helps another villager in need. Discussing what's to come for the character, Laura said: "Moria is going to make a big confession to one of our villagers. It's a secret from her past which she is going to reveal. She does it in a way to help the person she's talking to and trying to help but how is that person going to react when she learns Moira's deepest darkest secret. If they blow it, it could threaten Moira's whole life."
Father and daughter at rock bottom and shock return sealed
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Father and daughter duo Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling) are set to have their strained relationship tested even further following her PMDD diagnosis in upcoming scenes "which will push them to the extreme",said Laura. She added: "They are going to hit rock bottom when this happens. Is it going to tear them apart of pull them together?"
It has also been confirmed that a familiar face will make a huge comeback in 2024. It is yet to revealed exactly who returns but Laura teased: "A familiar face is returning in the new year. This person comes back to help one of our villagers who is in a bit of trouble." Vanessa Woodfield and Kerry Wyatt haven't been seen on screen in months due to the actress' taking time away from the show so does it mean that Michelle Hardwick or Laura Norton could be about to return to the village? Fans will have to wait and see.
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
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