Emmerdale confirms serious l.i.f.e-threatening injuries in special episode

Emmerdale is set to air a dramatic special episode following Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) on his first day in an A&E department in the New Year.

Soap bosses have confirmed there will be some ‘some challenging situations that also affect some of our Emmerdale villagers’ as the medical student begins his work placement.

Following a day in Jacob’s life, the hour-long episode will take place entirely on the hospital set, as it aims to highlight the stresses of working with cases of serious injury and l.i.f.e-threatening emergencies.

Emmerdale Producer Sophie Roper explains: ‘When Jacob first embarked on his aspirations of having a medical degree we knew at some point we wanted to show a day in his life.

‘In this episode we step away from our usual environs of the village and head to the hospital. This episode takes place entirely on our purpose built hospital set. Accident and Emergency is a place many of our characters end up in, but seldom by choice.

‘As the episode unfolds, Jacob will encounter some challenging situations that also affect some of our Emmerdale villagers, pushing Jacob to his limits both professionally and personally.’

Actor Joe-Warren Plant, who plays Jacob, adds: ‘When I met with our producer Sophie, she told me about this hour-long episode dedicated to Jacob’s first day of placement in A&E.  I was hit with all these emotions. Knowing how many people have this high pressure job for real gave me the pressure to really knuckle down and get it right.

‘Tackling this storyline scared me at first, but I feel honoured to know they trusted me enough to tell it. That means such a lot and I feel very honoured.’

But what danger lies ahead for the villagers, and will it prove too much for Jacob?

Emmerdale will air this special episode in January. The soap airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, or stream first from 7am on ITVX.