SOAP fans have been left fuming after ITV pulled episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Both shows have long-term, devoted and passionate fans tuning in.
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Aside from present-day episodes on ITV1, classic instalments are regularly shown on ITV3.
Fans have shared their disappointment after learning no throwback episodes will air during the festive period.
Writing in an online forum, a viewer penned: “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.”
A fellow fan responded: “I feel gutted they aren’t showing classic coronation street over Christmas.”
Another added: “Think I would sooner watch classic Emmerdale than crappy Xmas movies!”
While a third pondered: “Considering we are 19 years behind now and in about 2017 we were 31 years behind, I wonder when they will slow the pace on Classic Corrie?”
The most recently aired classic Emmerdale episode featured typical drama in the eponymous village.
A summary read: “Dawn returns to the village, and makes peace with Jean – but all is not as it seems.”
“Debbie threatens to expose Cain’s affair with Jasmine, and Shadrach hatches a plan.”
This instalment originally aired on viewers’ screens back in 2006.
It features former characters including Dawn Woods (Julia Mallam), Shadrach Dingle (Andy Devine) and Jasmine Thomas (Jenna-Louise Coleman).
Meanwhile, things were far from quiet in Weatherfield during the latest classic Corrie episode.
Its summary read: “Carol insists her suspicions about Frankie and Jamie are correct.
“Tracy lets her hair down as the New Year celebrations approach and Sally gets more than she bargained for when she catches out Rosie and Craig.”
The episode initially aired in November 2005.
Coronation Street Christmas and New Year schedule
ITVX won’t host early episodes for some days, but soap bosses have yet to confirm which dates won’t have an early release
Monday December 23 – 8pm ITV1 & ITVX
Tuesday December 24 – 8:45pm ITV1 & ITVX
Christmas Day – 7pm ITV1 & ITVX
Boxing Day – No episode
Friday December 27 – 8pm ITV1 & ITVX
Monday December 30 – 8pm ITV1 & ITVX
Tuesday December 31 – 8:15pm ITV1 & ITVX
New Year’s Day – 7pm ITV1 & ITVX
Notable past characters include members of the Baldwin family – Carol (Lynne Pearson), Jamie (Rupert Hill) and Frankie (Debra Stephenson).
Viewers may recall how Jamie and former stepmother Frankie embarked on a relationship.
In addition, Craig Harris (Richard Fleeshman) was Rosie Webster’s (Helen Flanagan) first love, who ultimately left Weatherfield in 2006.
Present-day episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale continue on ITV1 and ITVX.
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