ITV has pulled Coronation Street and Emmerdale from Friday night's schedule as part of a programming reshuffle, with both soaps off air until Monday.
Friday (6 November) sees ITV screen coverage of the Nations Champions instead, as Ireland face Argentina. Emmerdale typically broadcasts on weeknights at 8pm, with Coronation Street following at 8.30pm. Viewers will have to wait until Monday (9 November) for the next episodes.
Soap schedule disrupted by sport
Both soap operas have endured numerous disruptions in recent weeks, with sporting fixtures and special broadcasts necessitating alterations to their regular transmission times.
Despite the three-day gap, there is considerable drama in store next week. Emmerdale will witness the Dingle family ripped apart after Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) orchestrates an attack on Tom King (James Chase) in prison by Samson Dingle (Sam Hall), leading Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) to make the painful choice to face her abusive former husband.
Emmerdale and Coronation Street storylines
Meanwhile, Kim Tate (Claire King) publicly recognises Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) as her daughter, though Joe maintains doubts about the newcomer. Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) secures an unexpected new position working for Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), leaving Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) distressed, while Sadie King (Patsy Kensit) persists in scheming against Caleb Miligan (Will Ash) and his wife Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly). Robert also gains a vital financial injection for his new venture, though his jubilation leaves Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) devastated.
Over in Weatherfield, a Coronation Street episode will focus on Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and her friends as they organise a birthday surprise for Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard), while Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) collapses amid his cancer battle and later learns that Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) is expecting. Carla Connor-Swain (Alison King) is confronted with the prospect of selling Underworld, Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey) threatens to expose Idris Nazir's (Junade Khan) scheming, and Mary Taylor (Patti Clare) is left devastated following the loss of her position at Preston's Petals. Shona Platt (Julia Goulding) also receives an ominous threatening phone call regarding Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown).
Owen Armstrong set to return
This follows the announcement that Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) is set to make his return to screens in January. The character was last spotted in Weatherfield in April 2015 when he revealed he was departing after his romance with Anna Windass fell apart and his business crumbled, due in part to Pat Phelan. He headed to Portugal before eventually settling in Scotland.
Since his departure from Coronation Street, actor Ian has appeared in numerous high-profile dramas, directed feature films and continued to pursue his flourishing writing career. Discussing his comeback, Ian said: "I can't wait to pick up where I left off 10 years ago! It's brilliant to be back and to get stuck into a cracking storyline. Owen's back and he's still angry!"
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX, and Coronation Street airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8.30pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX.
