ITV confirms Coronation Street Christmas schedule

Christmas is an important time in Weatherfield, as in all of soapland, with there being an episode aired on the Big Day every year since 1994.

Whilst these festive episodes are usually on the happier side, centring family, there have been some explosive storylines over the years, such as the fire in 2011 that Nick Tilsley rescued Becky McDonald from and Robert Preston’s tragic death in 2019.

This year will be a big one, with the iconic Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, set to leave the cobbles after fifty years on our screens. Whilst we do not know what will cause the exit, producer Kate Brooks has promised an episode “steeped in nostalgia”.

Other storylines include Carla and Lisa committing to their relationship and admitting their feelings and Daniel being caught between Bethany, his current girlfriend who is adjusting to life with a stoma and Daisy, his ex-fiancée who currently is eyeing up bent copper DC Kit Green.

Coronation Street is always an ITV Christmas staple (credit: ITV)

David and Shona’s marriage will also be on the rocks after the ordeal with Clayton and Leanne will continue her revenge on Nick for cheating on her with Toyah.

ITV have confirmed their schedule for Christmas Day and the days surrounding, and Corrie fans will have to tune in at different times than usual to accommodate for the festive specials of several programmes.

Corrie airs at its usual time of 8pm to 9pm on the 23rd of December, but will be followed by The Big Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale, the annual end-of-year battle between stars of ITV’s two soaps as they find out who knows the most.

Usually, this is hosted by Stephen Mulhern but, as reported by the Metro, he has had to step back this year due to bereavement. Instead, former Corrie star Sally Lindsay, who played Shelley Unwin from 2001 to 2006, will host.

 There are plenty of festive helpings of the soap in store (credit: ITV)

On Christmas Eve, Corrie will air a half-hour long episode from 8:45pm to 9:15pm, but on Christmas Day, fans will be treated to a full hour of festive surprises from 7pm to 8pm. This episode, due to the anticipation surrounding Gail’s exit, will not stream on ITVX early.

Unlike last year, we won’t get a Corrie fix on Boxing Day, but on New Year’s Eve, fans are set to be treated to an extra half-hour episode from 8pm to 8:30pm, with normal service resuming afterwards.