The latest soap news Drama in the Dales for Emma, Moira, Chas, Leyla and Robron! Plus, David Platt gets punched!

Get set for another blockbuster autumn in the village…

The Barton family seem destined to be at the heart of Emmerdale’s ‘Super Soap Week’ again, as bosses prepare for the show’s annual autumn spectacular.

It’s no secret that bonkers mum Emma is set to make a dramatic exit from the village – and boss Iain Macleod has now revealed plans for an exciting block of episodes that will be an extension of last year’s tragic Hotten Bypass multi-car pile-up, and the death of Emma’s fiancé James…

“I don’t want to confirm which characters are involved, but the story sort of builds from – and stems from – the events of the big autumn set piece that we had in 2016,” teases the village chief. “We’ve gone down a slightly different route this time, so the action is equally dramatic, but more intense and more intimate, focusing on a smaller group of people. There will be similar stylistic quirks to it, as there was last time round.

“Emma has this pathological need to squeeze everything she loves so hard that it ends up dying on her,” adds Iain, reflecting separately on her upcoming departure. “That trait will come back poignantly as part of her exit storyline.”

Big twists for Moira!

There looks set to be plenty of drama up at Butlers Farm in a “massive story” for Moira.

“I love Moira, who I think deserves to be at the centre of the show – and she certainly will be heading into 2018,” grins Iain. “People really seem to like Cain and Harriet being together as a couple – yet even so, I think fans believe Cain and Moira are the ones who are meant to be with each other. But is their relationship damaged beyond all repair?”

Chas for Paddy?

Now that Rhona has quashed Paddy’s hopes of a reunion, the vet will decide to turn his attention to Chas again when she returns later this year…

“At the point when Chas returns, it seems that Rhona is not an option for Paddy,” explains Iain. “You’ll just have to see how this love story that involves these three characters ends up panning out.”

Also on her way home to the Dales is Aaron’s younger sister,

Liv, who’ll find herself caught in the middle of Aaron and Robert’s break-up.

“Liv is only a kid, but she has her big brother leaning on her and feels like she has to be the strong one,” Iain tells us. “Soon, everything will come crashing down on her…”

Robron forever!

However, there is still hope for Aaron and Robert’s romance – but not before the sneaky Sugden has caused major mischief! Is he set to play a big part in the downfall of Lawrence, Chrissie and co?

“There is a fun story for Robert heading into the new year, which will tie into another character’s exit,” hints Iain. “He’s not going to murder anybody, but his scheming will end up becoming even more complicated and ingenious as time goes by.

“Whatever fun and games we have for Robert, they won’t take him so far away from Aaron that there is no going back,” adds the Dales head honcho. “The pair of them will absolutely be together!”

Leyla’s revenge!

Finally, it will be Priya who bears the brunt of Leyla’s fury when she finds out about her pal’s affair with Pete.

“Leyla has got used to men treating her badly, but Priya was her best mate, and the betrayal she feels from her outstrips her rage against Pete,” says Iain. “Once she’s vented over her heartbreak, it starts to turn into anger – and there’s some fun stuff around how she goes about exacting her revenge.”