Soap viewers won’t be getting their television fix for the next few days as Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been taken off the air. The two fan favourites won’t return to TV until next week. Instead, the World Cup qualifier between England and Albania will be broadcast from 7pm on Friday, March 21, 2025.
On that day, Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter was trending along with discussion about her private romance after engagement rumors, while Corrie star Charlotte Jordan also made headlines for her off-screen relationship with a boyfriend who had worked on the soap.
Viewers hoping to catch up on their favourite soaps will have to wait a bit longer as England prepares for a UEFA Nations League match against Latvia on Monday, March 24. In their place, on March 21, Virgin Media will air For the Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond, while a special follow-up episode of Long Lost Family will feature Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell.
The disruption doesn't end there; on Monday, March 24, viewers will also have the chance to watch the father-son duo, Bradley & Barney Walsh, traveling in Costa Rica on their show, followed by another episode of Long Lost Family, this time focusing on “The Unknown Soldiers.”
Fans can expect to see both Emmerdale and Coronation Street return on Tuesday, March 25. During that evening, Emmerdale will air from 7.30pm until 8.30pm, showcasing compelling storylines such as Ella fighting to prove her innocence amidst accusations, the development of a blossoming relationship between Kammy and Sarah, and Jai taking advantage of Steph's fragile state of mind.
Simultaneously, from 8.30pm until 9.30pm, Corrie fans can expect to see some intense drama where accusations fly and secretive plans unfold in Weatherfield. Viewers will witness Tracy luring Carla to Number One, where Rob is lurking, while Todd sets his sights on Theo the scaffolder, Sean uses Daniel to smuggle contraband, and Debbie confronts Mick over an alleged theft.
Despite the anticipation of fresh episodes, Friday, March 21, was initially marked as a no-show for Emmerdale, as a special football match at Wembley took precedence. The match, spearheaded by England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel, kicked off at 7.45pm after he took over duties from Gareth Southgate. Fans of the soap now comfortably settle in knowing that the usual weeknight episodes won’t air over the weekend, but they won’t miss out on an exciting storyline when it resumes.
This pause was made slightly easier by the fact that Emmerdale aired an additional half-hour episode on Tuesday, March 18, compensating for the Friday void.
As for what’s coming up in the world of Emmerdale, there's more than just romantic escapades brewing. Ella faces a personal battle as she desperately fights to prove she is innocent of drugging Chas, which has caused her to become estranged from her fellow villagers. Meanwhile, Liam grows increasingly concerned about Chas' pill consumption, which ultimately leads to a confrontation between the two.
Steph's ongoing struggle with her past forces her to consider drastic measures, including researching plastic surgery. Will her friends Ruby and Caleb be able to help her through these turbulent times?
Shifting gaze towards the future of Emmerdale, the hit soap has also announced significant changes for 2026. Starting next January, the soap is set to begin airing at a new time slot of 8pm. This strategic move includes a reduction of the Thursday double bill to a half-hour, enabling faster-paced episodes, a format that has evidently resonated well with viewers.
For dedicated fans, classic episodes of Emmerdale can still be enjoyed every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, alongside airing at 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
In this sequential disruption of programming, Viewers can also follow the latest updates and news surrounding their favorite characters by visiting the emmerdaleinsider Facebook page or following them on Twitter. So, while the wait for Emmerdale and Coronation Street might feel long, there's plenty to look forward to when the soaps return next week.
