Soap fans will see Emmerdale character meet Coronation Street faves in Corriedale which will air in 2026
Stars of Emmerdale and Coronation Street at the Corriedale launch in Bradford(Image: Gerard Binks)
Corriedale will be a landmark moment where fans of Emmerdale will see characters from the Yorkshire soap feature in an episode alongside Coronation Street legends.
In January, the Corriedale episode will air on ITV. It has been revealed that a multi-vehicle pile-up will be at the centre of the drama that sees the worlds of Coronation Street and Emmerdale collide for one night only.
Fan favourite characters from both soaps will appear in the episode – 2026 is sure to be a big year for Emmerdale with Corriedale at the forefront of it. The special edition will launch ITV’s new ‘soap power hour’ scheduling pattern for Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Corriedale will air on Monday, January 5 at 8pm. To launch the crossover cast members, from both soaps, attended a glitzy première at The National Science and Media Museum – in Bradford.
We were in attendance and chatted to some of Emmerdale’s stars about Corriedale. Take a scroll below and get the Corriedale spoilers and gossip courtesy of Emmerdale legends Natalie J Robb, Chris Bisson and Lucy Pargeter.
Corriedale sees Chas ‘in the action’
Co-star Lucy Parageter, who plays Chas in Emmerdale, has offered viewers a little insight to her character, and Chas’ partner Liam, being involved in the drama – which will centre around a multi-vehicle pile-up.
Lucy explained: “I was in a few scenes. Chas and Liam are on their way back from an event – I was in fancy dress. And, we are in one of the Weatherfield cabs. We are on our way back to the Dales when we see something happening.
Emmerdale Chas Dingle star Lucy Pargeter at the Corriedale launch(Image: Gerard Binks)
Begging the big boss
Chris Bisson, who plays Jai in Emmerdale and previously appeared as Vikram in Corrie, told us of his reaction when the Corriedale news broke. He joked: “The first thing I did was text the big boss and say ‘I have to be in it’.
“We all want Steve McDonald to see, who he thinks is Vikram, and for his eyes to pop out. Give them what they want.”
A schedule change
As we’ve mentioned, Corriedale will herald a schedule change for soap operas on ITV. The ‘soap power hour’ kicking off at the start of 2026. Addressing Corriedale and the tweak to the broadcast of Emmerdale and Coronation Street, Chris Bisson said: “All the fans have been waiting for the two shows to collide and now we get it to kick off our new schedule on ITV.
Emmerdale star, and former Coronation Street fave, Chris Bisson on the red carpet launching ITV’s Corriedale(Image: Gerard Binks)
“That ‘soap power hour’. No more moaning that they are shifting Corrie around because of the football and nobody knows when it is on – all that kind of stuff.”
Revisiting Corrie
Having appeared in both soaps, Corriedale is something rather special for Chris Bisson. He explained: “It has been lovely. I got to see a load of my mates and I was working with some of my mates again.
“I’m in Yorkshire filming, most of the time, so I don’t get to see a lot of the Corrie cast – apart from at awards do and what have you. So, it is really nice to do that again.”
What fans can expect
Natalie J Robb, who plays Moira in Emmerdale, has assured fans of both soaps they are in safe hands. She said: “I think it is going to go down well. They are pumping up all the adverts for it. They are pushing all the publicity. I think it will be received quite well.”
Natalie added: “To be honest, I don’t know why they haven’t done it (the Corriedale crossover) sooner.”
Get Emmerdale news straight to your phone
You can now get all the latest Emmerdale news and gossip straight to your phone by joining ‘The Woolpack’ on WhatsApp! Just click here to join and the team at Leeds Live will send you all the latest stories straight from the newsroom.
We hope you like it, but if you don’t you can leave at any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.
Soap rivalries
Many viewers may wonder how filming was on set between the two ‘rival’ shows. Natalie J Robb has shed some light on that.
She explained: “They call it ‘rivals’. We are not rivals, at all. A few (of the Coronation Street cast) I have known for a very long time. I’ve made new friends as well. James Cartwright (who plays Theo in Coronation Street), he’s like a puppy. We made friends on-set and he made everybody coffee on his Italian machine that he loved to tell everybody he brought with him.
Corrie’s James Cartwright was popular with the Emmerdale cast(Image: Gerard Binks)
“It has been nice. We had a good laugh. I did a lot of the night shoots and a few of the day shoots.”
More Corriedale to come?
We couldn’t finish up without asking whether we might see more episodes of Corriedale in the future. Discussing the premise of Corriedale, before elaborating on its possible longevity, Lucy Pargeter said: “Because they are so close geographically, it doesn’t not make sense for them to, at some point, come into contact with each other.
“And, I think it is a really nice way to introduce the audience. Although, we share the same viewers, I think it really nice to see that intermingling and I wouldn’t put it past ITV to do a little more which would be fun. I’ll go and get a job in The Rovers – we’ll swap jobs. I think there is scope to carry on.”
Emmerdale legends Natalie J Robb and Chris Chittell at the Corriedale launch(Image: Gerard Binks)
Natalie J Robb would also like to see more episodes of Corriedale. She said: “Time will tell. We’ll see whether people are left wanting more or not. It would be quite good if it (a follow up) was in the village pub or The Rovers. It was really good fun.
“It was nice to be a part of it – how big or small. It was fun.”
We’ll keep you posted on any Corriedale follow-up plans and, of course, further details of the first episode before it airs at the start of 2026.
You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars. Don’t forget, we also have a regular Emmerdale newsletter. You can find out more and sign up for it here.
LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp community and anyone who joins will get the latest breaking news and top stories sent direct to their phone. To join click here.
