Soaps fans will have to wait longer than usual to catch up with all the ups and downs of Emmerdale and Coronation Street as both shows will not air this Friday (7 August) evening. Instead, ITV is set to make room in its schedule for another sporting event in another schedule shake-up.
Both ITV soaps have been pulled from their usuals slots as the channel will dedicate its evening broadcast to the EFL Cup first-round clash between Middlesbrough and Wrexham. Coverage is expected to last from 7.30pm to 10.25pm, while kick-off is scheduled for 8pm.
Fortunately for fans, the disruption is only temporary. This Friday will be the only evening affected by the shake-up, as both Emmerdale and Coronation Street are due to return to screens this Sunday (9 August), taking back their usual slots in the schedule. Football fans will be able to catch up with the rest of the EFL Cup matches on Sky Sports.
This cancellation marks the latest in a long line of schedule changes for the soaps, with major sporting events continuing to disrupt the broadcaster’s evening line-up throughout the summer.
ITV
Related: Best streaming services
Off-screen, the disruption forces fans into a waiting game amid dramatic developments on the cobbles and in the Dales. Over in Coronation Street, DC Kit Green has been working overtime, looking for a way to pin Theo Silverton’s murder on Gary Windass in a bid to save Sarah Platt.
A long-standing Weatherfield resident, Sarah risks a heavy prison sentence for killing Theo, after she was revealed to have struck him in self-defence before calling her former partner Gary for help. The pair conspired to cover up Sarah’s involvement in Theo’s death by notably disposing of the murder weapon.
Elsewhere, Fiz Dobbs began probing Ross Wilkes for details on Cassie Plummer’s whereabouts. Cassie was last seen being driven away by Ross in ominous scenes, before seemingly vanishing, prompting major concerns for her well-being both on and off -screen.
Meanwhile in Emmerdale, this Thursday’s (6 August) episode saw Charity Dingle slowly come to terms with her latest ordeal. The Woolpack landlady was blackmailed with baby Leyla’s true parentage for weeks by Caitlin Todd, before the doctor sexually assaulted her.
Although her marriage to Mackenzie Boyd is still on shaky ground, Charity was seen seeking help at a support group as she shared her story. However, just as she appeared to be making progress, she received an unwelcome visit from Caitlin. Now, viewers will have to wait before they can see how the cliffhanger will evolve.
Emmerdale and Coronation Street return this Sunday (9 August) on ITV.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online.