Emmerdale Christmas preview: Tom’s final stand, Moira’s agony and a return

It’s the festive season in Emmerdale, but there is a distinct lack of good cheer in our Christmas preview because frankly, things look pretty bleak for just about everyone.

With Moira anxiously waiting the results of the biopsy on her tumour, Cain hiding his infidelity and the drama of the Tom and Belle storyline all looming, it doesn’t look like any of the Emmerdale residents are going to have a merry Christmas this year!

In fact, show boss Iain MacLeod has said 2024 will be one of the most “exciting” Christmases in the soap’s history.

He told Digital Spy back in September: “This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day. As well as some life or death jeopardy on Christmas Day – but obviously there will be festive brilliance as we do every year – but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!”

He continued to promise “incredibly heartbreaking family drama with plenty of Dingle action. There is also some classic gothic antics at Home Farm – some skullduggery!”

So what is happening this festive season? Let’s take a look in our Christmas preview.

Kim’s Christmas surprise in Emmerdale!

At Home Farm, Kim’s pulling out all the stops for a Christmas to remember, while Will’s pretending to be loved-up but planning a meeting with Peter. But when Peter delays putting their takedown of Kim into action, saying there’s been a change of circumstance, Will’s annoyed and confused.

He’s even more cross when Peter won’t tell him who the third party is. Who’s pulling the strings? Is it Jamie Tate? Joe Tate? Caleb?! Will we find out over the festive period?

Meanwhile, acting on Peter’s orders, Will suggests to Kim that they renew their vows on Christmas Day and then feels guilty when she gets emotional.

We’re still not convinced everything’s as it seems with this storyline. Is Kim actually in on the whole thing? Will all the Tates return en-masse at Christmas – Joe, Jamie and Jean?! Is Frank really alive? Could Dave Glover rise from the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ? Is it Rose? (Please don’t let it be Rose). Tina Dingle? Lydia?! Frankly nothing would surprise us now!

Bad news for Moira

It’s time for Moira to get her pathology results back but Cain’s nowhere to be found. Poor Moira’s still convinced her cheating, useless husband will show up in time, and makes a last-minute phone call to Cain.

Having stayed away, full of guilt, Cain finally steps up but circumstances conspire against him and he misses the appointment.

When Moira eventually catches up with Cain, she tells him her results were fine. But she admits to a heartbroken Matty that she lied – she needs radiotherapy.

With Cain having let her down again, will Moira realise something’s very wrong with her marriage? Could this be the last Christmas for Coira?

Cain gets arrested!

Cain does have a good reason for missing Moira’s appointment, mind you. As he tries to make it to his wife’s side, he’s stopped by Jai’s badly parked car, and then has an altercation with PC Swirling which ends up with him being arrested.

He’s let off with a caution and heads off to go and get drunk which is where Liam finds him

Will Cain confess in Emmerdale this Christmas?

When Liam drops Cain off at home, Moira’s FUMING! She tells her husband she’d arranged a surprise party for his birthday the next day and he needs to pull himself together.

But Cain’s got one thing on his mind – confession! He wants to tell Moira exactly what he was doing when she was having her operation. Will he spill the beans? It’s definitely shaping up to be a miserable Christmas at Butlers.

Ruby flashback

With Ruby struggling with – well, everything really – things aren’t any happier in the Fox-Miligan household. Ruby’s still trying to pretend nothing happened with her and Cain, she’s getting used to Steph being around again, and dealing with memories stirred up by her dad’s arrival.

As Christmas approaches and Anthony starts reminiscing, Steph finds a photo of Ruby on her 16th birthday way back in 1992 – just a year or so before Steph was born. In a special flashback, viewers will see why Ruby’s pretending she doesn’t remember the day and why it makes her so uncomfortable.

We’re guessing whatever the memory is, it’s nothing good, and we reckon raking up the past isn’t going to help the Fox-Miligans look forward to a happy new year.

Ross gives up

And what a surprise, there’s no Christmas cheer for Ross either as he decides it’s time to give up trying to be a dad to Moses and let Mack take over.

Ho ho hope for Belle?

BUT there might be some good news for Belle this Christmas as her domestic abuse ordeal comes to an end. Though before that happens, things get a bit tricky as imprisoned Tom worms his way into niece Angelica’s affections, convincing her he’s been wronged by everyone in the village.

As Jimmy and Nicola fret about their daughter’s support for Tom, are things about to get a whole lot worse for the Kings?

Emmerdale bosses have promised Belle will be in a much happier place by Christmas and with a special episode set for Tom’s trial this December, let’s hope she gets the justice she deserves.

The soap has also confirmed Denise Welch, Jack Ellis and Charles Dale will be starring in the special ep, so watch out for their appearances before Christmas too.

Who is returning to Emmerdale this Christmas?

After Iain’s comment that there will be a surprise return on Christmas Day, speculation is rife over who it will be. Many fans think Pete Barton will come home, now his brother Ross is settling in the village again.

Others think Joe Tate, who may or may not be plotting against Kim (could be just wishful thinking) will be back.

Some are hoping (still) for the Robert Sugden comeback they’ve been calling for. Just as John and Aaron are set for a happy Christmas together, could Robert come back to stir up the pot?