SOAP fans are predicting a major stunt that Emmerdale and Coronation Street might pull off next year.
It was recently revealed that the start of the 2026 schedule shakeup – which will see each soap air for 30 minutes for five evenings each week – will be marked in “spectacular style”.
David Platt is a character in Coronation Street[/caption]
Ella is a character in Emmerdale – but she once starred in Corrie as David’s wife Kylie[/caption]
According to reports, both soaps will “embark on an ambitious, never before seen stunt as part of a week of special episodes”.
The new schedule shakeup that could spark the stunt has been dubbed the “soap power hour” airing half hour instalments together Monday to Friday as of 2026.
“Could the ‘stunt’ be a Corrie-Emmerdale crossover episode?” speculated one fan on X, which sent other fans of the two ITV soaps into a frenzy.
“Was thinking this hmm or maybe the same thing happens on both soaps with different outcomes,” penned another.
“I’ve been waiting a lifetime for a real crossover,” added a third.
“The way it is worded very much makes it sound that way, and to be honest, it would be a genius way to launch the new schedule,” said a fourth.
A fifth then added: “It would be weird; Does Dev not comment on the likeness of Kim Tate to an ex?
“Does David Platt not notice Ella looks like his first wife? I’m sure there’s loads more examples!”
While a sixth said: “OMG, that would actually blow my mind, loving the idea. Seeing characters you love share the screen.”
This comes after ITV bosses conducted research that revealed audiences prefer 30-minute-long episodes rather than hour-long episodes.
NEW SCHEDULE ADOPTED
This means that Emmerdale and Coronation Street will adopt a new schedule as of the start of 2026.
The new schedule will see Emmerdale will air Monday to Friday from 8pm, with Coronation Street following on the same days at 8:30pm.
ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo said: “The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led.
“We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way. “
FANS REACT TO SHAKEUP
Reacting to the news of shorter, more “digestible” episodes, fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts.
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
“Corrie especially has needed to drop an episode for a long time and bringing back the half hour episodes is very welcome, the hour longs are a chore sometimes – it’s a positive move for both soaps fingers crossed it improves the quality especially from Corrie,” penned one.
Another added: “My only take away is that I’ll definitely miss the hour long emmerdale on a Thursday but otherwise as an only emmerdale watcher it’s no different for me!”
While a third said: “They’ve needed to drop an episode for so long, I’ve found it so hard to keep up with Corrie with the hour long episodes, or even when you had split episodes, half an hour a night is so much more reasonable, that I think I will be able to finally keep up.”
But the schedule shakeup means job cuts, with a source telling Metro about the redundancies.
ITV’s managing director also said: “This new commissioning pattern will mean five hours of soaps a week, rather than the current six. We are conscious this will have an impact for the people who work on the soaps team.
“We will support our colleagues in ITV Studios as they work through these changes, and will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.”
Coronation Street is set in Manchester[/caption]
