A surprise celebrity guest will bring festive joy to the Dales…

Christmas is just weeks away, and Emmerdale has been gearing up for the festivities to kick off with a bang.

Over the last few months, viewers have watched as Celia and Ray entered the Dales bringing their dangerously cruel world of modern slavery with them.

April and Dylan became increasingly indebted to them, but with Marlon and Rhona finally learning the truth what could this mean for their family?

Kev Townsend bid farewell to Robert Sugden and Lewis Barton as he left for pastures new after Robert declared he chooses to be with Aaron Dingle.

But there’s always more drama to come, here’s what to expect next in the Dales…

Lydia’s dreams come true…

Sam quits his job after standing up to Joe. With mounting bills, Lydia urges Sam to get his job back. Joe initially refuses, but Kim intervenes. Lydia reevaluates her loyalty to Kim due to her stingy raffle donation and Joe’s treatment of Sam.

Sam plans a dodgy shoot on Home Farm land for cash (behind Kim’s back), and Lydia agrees to help by distracting Kim at the Christmas Fayre, unaware of Kim’s surprise for her. At the shoot, Lydia faces pressure to keep it secret while Kim demands her presence at the Fayre and Oliver’s shooting party demands food.

Sam worries Vanessa has seen the shoot. Kim orders Lydia to the pub, where Lydia’s dreams come true with a Jason Donovan concert. Jason’s touched to receive a Woolpack welcome from the villagers.

A life lies in peril…

However Kim investigates the dodgy shoot after hearing from Vanessa and is later found grievously injured in the woods. Unable to move her leg, helpless Kim waits for someone to find her or for death to claim her.

Kerry finds a secret bank account…

Kerry’s made up that a bank account has been set up under her name with fifteen grand in it, but her joy is short-lived when Jacob tells her that if she starts spending the money she could be implicating herself in someone’s fraudulent scheme. Later, Pollard’s alarmed to hear from Jacob about Kerry’s mystery bank account.

Once he and Kerry are alone, she’s left dumbstruck when he reveals that he’s her benefactor. However Pollard’s left winded by Kerry’s angry reaction to him using her to siphon tax-free money to Jacob without asking for her consent. Pollard’s left encouraged by a slight thaw between him and Kerry after he reminds her of the situation Jacob will face in the event of Sarah’s demise.

Soon, Kerry and Pollard are once more firmly in cahoots after she reminds him that if he wants her help with anything he just needs to ask her first.

Elsewhere in the village…

It’s an uphill struggle for Lydia, Claudette and Nicola as they attempt to sell tickets to the Christmas Fayre. Vinny’s disgruntled when Kammy crashes his attempt to spend some time alone with Lewis.

Claudette, Lydia, Nicola and Jimmy are hopeful that the Christmas Fayre will come together in time, although no-one except Bob’s looking forward to his performance.

Emmerdale airs on weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.