With Christmas approaching, we reflect on some of the most explosive soap Christmas specials from years past.
For many, Christmas is a season of joy, family get-togethers, gift-giving, indulgent meals, and plenty of festive cheer.
But in the world of soap operas, the holidays are often a breeding ground for shocking twists, sudden deaths, and devious scheming. It’s the time of year when betrayals and jaw-dropping revelations take centre stage.
To get you in the festive mood, let’s take a look back at some of the most explosive soap Christmas specials.
Max and Stacey’s affair
Soap operas thrive on complicated relationships and dramatic breakups, but EastEnders raised the stakes in 2007. What started as a seemingly cosy Christmas in Albert Square turned sour when the entire family uncovered the secret affair between Max Branning and Stacey Slater.
Captured on video by his daughter Lauren, notorious womaniser Max admitted he couldn’t stand seeing Stacey with another man, even though he was married to Tanya and they were expecting their third child.
To make matters worse, Stacey was married to Max’s own son, Bradley. Dressed as Santa, Max’s attempts to convince Tanya that it was all just a joke fell flat. The evening ended dramatically with Bradley shoving his father into the Christmas tree before storming out.
Meanwhile, poor Dot and Little Mo didn’t even get a chance to watch the Queen’s speech.
Tram crash
Fast forward three years, and Coronation Street kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations with a shocking start to the festive season.
On December 6, 2010, viewers were left reeling as a massive explosion tore through The Joinery bar, sending a tram on its way to the viaduct crashing onto the cobbles.
Ashley Peacock, who had been out celebrating a friend’s stag do, tragically died after being crushed by a falling beam inside the bar. Meanwhile, Molly Dobbs’ desperate screams for help rang out from the Corner Shop, where she was trapped.
Before her death, Molly had confided in her friend Sally Webster about her affair with Sally’s husband and revealed that he was the father of her baby.
In another shocking twist, main character Charlotte Hoyle was murdered by villain John Stape, who struck her with a hammer and hid her body in the rubble, making it appear she had been another victim of the disaster.
Val’s return
In 2017, Emmerdale delivered one of its most imaginative Christmas specials, drawing inspiration from A Christmas Carol.
Focusing on bad boy Robert Sugden, the hour-long episode sees him rushed to hospital after being hit by a car. As he drifts in and out of consciousness, Robert experiences a series of Scrooge-like visions that uncover some uncomfortable truths.
Guiding him through his visions and keeping him grounded is none other than the iconic Val Pollard, dressed in white fur with a lace veil and wielding a cigarette holder that would make Cruella de Vil jealous.
Val had previously been written out of the show after dying beneath a falling mirror at the fairground. Yet her spirit remains just as sharp-tongued and entertaining as ever.
Teacher and pupil scandal
In 2005, Hollyoaks took a bold risk with a controversial storyline that paid off, later winning Best Storyline at the British Soap Awards in 2006.
Schoolteacher Becca Hayton embarked on an illicit romance with 17-year-old pupil Justin Burton after growing frustrated with her failing marriage to Jake.
On Christmas Eve, Becca turned up at Justin’s house and confessed her jealousy over his fling with fellow student Nicole Owen, leading to a passionate embrace and the two spending the night together.
However, Becca’s actions soon caught up with her when she discovered she was pregnant, uncertain about the father’s identity (spoiler: it’s Justin).
The scandal eventually led to her losing her teaching job, and as the story unfolded, Becca ended up in prison, where she tragically met her death.
Who murdered Tom King?
One of soap opera’s most unforgettable mysteries, the murder of Emmerdale’s Tom King, shocked viewers across the nation in 2006. The wealthy businessman — who had made plenty of enemies over the years — was struck on the head with an ornament and thrown from a window, falling to his death.
The show juxtaposed the grisly scene with innocent Belle Dingle sweetly singing “We’re Walking in the Air”.
Audiences were left guessing the killer’s identity for months. For the first time, viewers could get involved in solving the crime through a dedicated online portal. To add to the suspense, Emmerdale filmed ten different versions of the murder, each showing a different suspect committing the act, creating ten possible outcomes.
Even the cast and crew were kept in the dark about who the real murderer was.
Almost six months later, it was revealed that Tom had been killed by his own son, Carl, after discovering his father had tried to bribe his ex-girlfriend to end their relationship.
‘I do’
On a brighter note, we head back to Albert Square to celebrate the wedding of two iconic characters: Kat Slater and Alfie Moon.
In 2003, the pair finally tied the knot at the Queen Vic — after all, where better to wed than the pub where it all began? Afterwards, the celebrations spilled out onto the streets, with everyone dancing in the falling snow.
The ceremony went surprisingly smoothly, which is more than can be said for Alfie and Kat’s famously tumultuous relationship. Still, it was heartwarming that they chose to marry in the very place they first met, when Alfie awkwardly flirted with her and offered her a job behind the bar.
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