Emmerdale’s announcement of a detailed broadcast schedule for the Christmas and New Year period immediately revealed one thing to fans: the drama is being deliberately arranged.

Early episodes on ITVX, off-peak times, and prime broadcast days indicate that a major tragedy is being concentrated at the peak viewing period.

In this context, the mention of Celia as “exit looming” is no coincidence.

Soap usually only uses this term when a villain is about to reach their end, either facing punishment or causing a catastrophe before disappearing.

The packed schedule also creates a feeling of everything happening without breathing room: today a threat, tomorrow someone is in trouble, the day after the truth is revealed. This pace makes Emmerdale’s holiday season a dark tunnel, where characters enter hoping for reunion but face loss instead.

And with Corriedale poised at the start of January 2026, it’s highly likely Emmerdale is deliberately pushing Celia and Ray to the breaking point right before the crossover, so the storm doesn’t just stop in the village but spreads to Weatherfield.