Picture Spoilers: Next week on Emmerdale (Dec 30-Jan 3)

Next week on Emmerdale, Jacob is in for a baptism of fire as he works his first shift in A&E.

Elsewhere, Marlon struggles with April's continued disappearance, Anthony finds out about Ruby and Cain's dirty secret and a series of flashforwards preview life for the villagers in 2025.

Read on for pictures and spoilers from next week's new episodes!

Monday, December 30 (Episode 10176)

Writer: Sarah Hooper
Director: Peter Rose

Jacob arranges a date with Sarah but it's scuppered when Leyla insists that he go to lunch with her. Did Leyla deliberately thwart the date?

Also:Ruby corners Cain in the Woolpack and tells him to leave her dad alone if he wants their secret to stay safe - but unbeknownst to them, Anthony is listening in.

Meanwhile, Marlon and Mary are deflated after another fruitless day searching for April. Later, he notices that some of her belongings and money are missing and he's devastated that she made the pre-meditated decision to run away.

This episode airs Monday, December 30 at 7.30pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX

New Year's Eve (Episode 10177)

Writer: Jo Maris
Director: Peter Rose

Under questioning from Anthony, Ruby breaks and admits to him that she slept with Cain. Later, as the villagers gather in the Woolie to welcome in 2025, Cain and Ruby are on tenterhooks as Anthony decides to make a speech...

As the search continues, Marlon feels as though he's failed April.

At the end of the episode, there are five flashforwards teasing things to come for some of the villagers in the new year...

This episode airs New Year's Eve at 7.45pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX

New Year's Day (Episode 10178)

Writer: Zeli Zulu
Director: Peter Rose

Jacob apologises to Sarah for cancelling and they arrange another date.

Also: Bob breaks down on the anniversary of Heath's death, Marlon becomes aware of some of April's social media activity and Cain and Moira book a quiet lunch together ahead of her hospital appointment tomorrow.

This episode airs New Year's Day at 6.30pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX

Thursday, January 2 (Episodes 10179 and 10180)

Writer: Kirsty Halton
Director: Leon Lopez

A special episode follows Jacob's first day working in A&E - and he's straight in at the deep end as his first patient is a stab victim, but when he recognises the patient's purse as belonging to April, he calls Marlon and Rhona to tip them off. His supervisor Dr Todd reprimands him - and later, he watches on heartbroken as a nurse delivers devastating news to Marlon and Rhona.

Later, Charity arrives at A&E with a drunk Sarah, who promptly collapses, sparking Jacob into action. Jacob gives Sarah some tough love and she makes a confession to him.

Meanwhile, Moira and Cain arrive for her appointment with the oncologist to discuss her treatment plan, and during the mask fitting Moira gets emotional.

This hour-long episode airs Thursday, January 2 at 7pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX

Friday, January 3 (Episode 10181)

Writer: Isobel Cameron
Director: Leon Lopez

After his stressful day in A&E, Jacob is left mortified as he almost hits Manpreet in his car. The young medical student can't stop apologising but she's more concerned about his clear exhaustion.

Marlon and Rhona are at each other's throats after recent events.

Also: Chas tries to figure out what's wrong with Ruby, who's drinking and clearly agitated - and eventually, she breaks her silence.

This episode airs Friday, January 3 at 7.30pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX

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