There have been plenty of changes to the Emmerdale schedule this Christmas and New Year’s Day (Thursday January 1) is no different as the soap is moving time slots again, meaning it is not on at 7.30pm as usual – so when is it on tonight?

Football, rubgy and other special shows often affect the soaps, but tonight it’s all because of Christmas. We’ve got you covered here so you know when Emmerdale is off and when it’s back again this week.

When is Emmerdale airing tonight?

Emmerdale will be on this New Year’s Day but at an earlier time. Instead of it’s usual 7.30pm slot, it will instead move to 7pm. The episode is on for an hour.

There is also the early morning release on ITVX and YouTube where it is available everyday from 7am.

After Emmerdale, at 8pm an extra episode of Coronation Street follows and is also on for an hour.

What happens in Emmerdale tonight?

Ray had been ordered to murder April Windsor, but he couldn’t go through with it. Instead he gave her money and told her to run and never come back. April didn’t return home and this New Year’s Day Marlon and Rhona are worried sick about her. Where is she?

Ray is also stressed as he spent the night at Laurel’s. He knows he has to face Celia at some point as he ignores her calls, but will he tell her the truth? Or will he lie and tell his mum April is dead?

Elsewhere, Kev managed to get away from John Sugden. But will he warn Robert and Aaron that John is back before it’s too late? John is on the rampage and wants to get Aaron back for good – so how far will he go to rid himself of Robert this time?

As for Kev, he wants to see Lewis, but Nicola soon stops him. She tells him he either steps up and is a proper dad to Lewis or he doesn’t tell him anything and leaves for good. What will Kev decide?

And, Charity has planned the perfect surprise wedding for Jacob and Sarah. They are both overwhelmed to be getting married as they’d hoped. Nother can spoil their big day – except maybe a very drunk Vanessa who knows a very big secret…