Soap fans fume as Emmerdale and Coronation Street get pulled from ITV Christmas schedule
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Soap fans are up in arms over ITV's decision to pull classic episodes of Emmerdale and Coronation Street from the schedules over Christmas. While new episodes air during the week on ITV1 and via ITVX, devout soap fans - and also those looking for an injection of nostalgia - have been able to rely on ITV3 to replay old episodes of classic soap action. Replay episodes of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street are traditionally found on the channel, offering comfort to easy viewing fans.
But this Christmas, a decision has been made to axe the airing of old episodes - and fans are kicking off over the decision. Taking to social media, fans of the older episodes of the timeless ITV soaps have raged over the decision to change up the schedules for the festive season.
Meanwhile, fans of the current storylines are on edge over plans for the 2024 Christmas episodes of the soaps - which are set to continue as planned. The change of scheduling has been flagged in a fan group on Reddit. A poster commented: "Just to let you know, there will be no Classic Emmerdale on ITV 3 from [December 23rd] until the 2nd January due to the Christmas holidays, so films will be taken over. Same goes for Classic Corrie.".
The revelation has angered and distressed fans, with one writing in reaction: "I feel gutted they aren't showing classic coronation street over Christmas." While another added: "Think I would sooner watch classic Emmerdale than crappy Xmas movies!". ITV viewers will see the latest festive episodes air on ITV1 as expected - with Emmerdale lined up to play on Christmas Day at 6:30pm, followed by an hour-long episode of Corrie at 7pm. The Radio Times reports of the Christmas Day episode of Emmerdale: "Emmerdale is going for a feelgood factor, as Belle is reunited with cute pooch Piper, reports of whose demise were greatly exaggerated by toxic Tom.".
