Emmerdale fans have been teased with a few more details about what's to come in the new year with news on when Chloe Harris and Mackenzie Boyd's baby is due and that there will be two brand new owners at the B&B.
Jane Hudson , the ITV soap's executive producer, had given the Manchester Evening News a look ahead to early 2023 during a special festive press day at the Emmerdale Village. We've already shared how it will be an 'explosive time for the Dingle's and a big story for teenager Cathy Hope that 'hasn't been seen in a soap before'.
"We've got Cain at the heart of what's happening in our village," she told us. "We've got Paddy and Chas, we've got Charity and Mackenzie so the Dingles are really kicking off 2023 with a bang. It's all going on for them."
But Emmerdale fans are set to see much more from the soap's younger cast. "You get to an age with the young cast where you suddenly realise they're growing up," Jane said. "They've been off-screen for a few weeks and they're a foot taller and their voice is deeper and you go, 'Oh my god, we need to start growing them up in the show'.
But there's plenty more for viewers to keep an eye on, starting with a Dingle wedding. Jane said: "We know that Mackenzie is the father of Chloe's baby. And again, another secret in the village that's probably not gonna be kept secret for long. And we have got a Charity and Mackenzie wedding on the cards, which will be happening next year."
And while she didn't give specific dates, she did tease: "I think we all know weddings don't always go very smoothly and Chloe's baby will be due around the time of the wedding... So I think you can put the pieces together yourself and figure out what might happen somewhere around the wedding date and the birth date. It will be explosive for Charity and Mackenzie."
Meanwhile, one of the village's key venues is having a shake-up with it looking like Eric Pollard is set to give up the B&B to two new owners who Jane says aren't in a relationship. "We're going to have some new owners at the B&B, I've just been down to look at the new B&B set and it's absolutely fantastic," she revealed.
"I'm not going to tell you who the new owners are just yet, but let's just say it's very boutique the new decor." She then teased: "It is very glamorous, it's got an absolute touch of class and it's just on the right side of not being cheesy, so they are your clues. And it's going to be two owners, who are not a couple and who will be running the B&B. So enjoy that one!"
And Jane may have got a bit carried away when she was quizzed on whether there are any returns in the works. After initially saying no, she changed her mind and said with a big grin: "I can’t tell you…we’re still checking." She added: "I had an idea and thought, 'Oh viewers would love that' but we have to wait... I got giddy then!"
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