Corriedale - Review

20/01/2026

On Monday the 5th of January 2026, the ITV soaps combined forces in an Avengers assemble style, for the most-anticipated event of the 2026 British television calendar. Usually, Emmerdale and Coronation Street are separate series: Emmerdale has been airing since 1972, whilst Coronation Street has been airing since 1960. All this time, and never have viewers seen both soaps combine. So, the highly anticipated event of ‘Corriedale’ had me buzzing with excitement. I felt myself staring at the clock all evening, waiting for ITV to commence this historic special. Soon enough, it was time for my super soap evening with my cup of tea in my Emmerdale mug. I watched Emmerdale, followed by Coronation Street, as standalone episodes, and then it was finally time for the episode to start – the episode of Corriedale. Buckle your seatbelts (literally), as we embark on a journey through the Dales and the Cobbles.

A photo of my cup of tea in my Emmerdale mug, whilst watching the Corriedale episode

Why is Corriedale so iconic for me and what is my personal connection to the soaps?

So, I know what you are probably thinking. Why on earth would you be so excited about two British soap operas combining forces? It’s just a TV show, right? But Emmerdale and Coronation Street are two of my favourite TV programmes. I love how they are packed with drama, with characters who are relatable, funny and likeable. I have grown up with the soaps and became fully obsessed when I was around twelve, and now I am twenty-one and they still shape my everyday life. Some of my favourite characters of all time are Carla and Lisa (Coronation Street), and Charity, Vanessa, Robert and Aaron (Emmerdale). So, imagine my excitement as Carla and Charity shared a scene in the iconic Corriedale episode! For me, seeing my favourite characters intertwine was incredible, as I never expected it to happen. My connection to these characters links to my personal identity and sexuality. Carla, Lisa, Charity, Vanessa, Robert & Aaron have all been involved in storylines which navigate sexuality, relationships and LGBT+ identity. For me, having these characters to relate to, who understand the struggles of navigating sexuality, is extremely healing. Therefore, it is so much more than a soap for me – it is a way to connect with characters who are raw, relatable and honest. Soaps are a backdrop of the reality of real people’s lives – including mine.

Alongside the soaps helping me navigate my sexuality and personal identity, the soaps have always been there for me at different milestones of my life, holding the most special memories. From spending every weeknight with a cup of tea watching the soaps, to spending lockdown watching old clips on YouTube and ITV3, I can name many pivotal points in my life where Emmerdale and Coronation Street have shown up. I remember during lockdown, I celebrated my 16th birthday with a stay-at-home afternoon tea and an Emmerdale themed birthday cake. The soaps also hold special memories for me due to the places I have been – such as trips to Leeds to do the Emmerdale Studio Experience and the Emmerdale Village Tour, as well as a birthday trip to Manchester to do the Coronation Street Experience. I have so much to thank Emmerdale and Coronation Street for, as particularly during my teenage years they were a comfort which has shaped the person I am today.

A photo of me at the Emmerdale Studios in Leeds, in 2019

A photo of me at the Emmerdale Village in Leeds, in 2022, then at the Coronation Street Experience in December 2022 in Manchester, a few weeks after my 18th birthday 

So yes, it is so much more than just two soaps. They are tv shows which are comforting, realistic and hold special memories for me as a long-time soap viewer.

The Corriedale Episode – My true, honest review!

So, I hope you have gained some insight into my excitement of watching both of my favourite TV shows combine forces. It is now time to review the Corriedale episode in full, with a true, honest review (although perhaps I am slightly biased!).

The episodes followed on from the standalone Emmerdale and Coronation Street episodes broadcast that same day (05/01/26), with characters from both shows travelling in multiple vehicles. In true soap stunt fashion, characters travelling in cars within a historic episode was never going to end without a bang. I was on the edge of my seat in fear as I watched my favourite characters, quite literally, head towards a deadly demise. The stunts were incredible, but I was absolutely terrified as my favourite characters called out for help. The crash unfortunately took the life of Cobbles resident Billy, from Coronation Street. Billy has been a much-loved character, and I was devastated to see him go. 

Billy Mayhew, from Coronation Street, pictured in the Corriedale episode, driving the minibus which led to his death

Some segments of the episode which stood out to me were the storylines involving my previously mentioned favourites, such as Carla and Lisa. Recently, fans, me included, have watched the relationship of Carla and Lisa blossom and strengthen, coining the pair ‘Swarla’ and rooting for them on social media platforms. I am a big Swarla fan and I am obsessed with how they have dominated my TikTok and social media feeds, leaving me patiently waiting for the next episode or YouTube upload to see how their relationship and storyline will develop. Within the episode, Lisa, her teenage daughter Betsy, and her ex who came back from the dead, Becky, were trapped in the crash. It was previously revealed that Becky had kidnapped Carla, as well as causing all sorts of other chaos for the family, and as a long-time Carla and Lisa fan, I was desperate to see Becky get her comeuppance. I internally cheered as the residents of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street saved Lisa from the wreckage, and in the back of the ambulance, Lisa, who is a police officer, had her moment to arrest Becky. This felt like the perfect moment for the storyline to end, and I am looking forward to seeing how this impacts Lisa, Betsy and Carla going forward. 

Additionally, as previously mentioned, I am a big fan of Robert and Aaron from Emmerdale, coined ‘Robron’ by fans. In the iconic crossover episode, Robron finally reunited and declared their love for each other, through an engagement. In the midst of storm and crash chaos, this was a beautiful moment, and I am so excited for their relationship to develop. Corriedale did a brilliant job at intertwining the storylines and relationships of my favourite characters within the drama and chaos.

Robron ignoring the chaos surrounding them, mid-engagement, within the Corriedale episode

Additionally, Carla (Coronation Street), and Charity (Emmerdale), shared a scene together, allowing the characters to interact, which would never usually have a chance to happen due to the characters being in separate soaps. Emma Atkins who plays Charity and Alison King who plays Carla were incredible during the whole episode, so witnessing them share a scene was a standout moment. There were other character interactions which I loved, such as Steve from Coronation Street mentioning he recognised Jai from Emmerdale (as Jai from Emmerdale is played by Chris Bisson, who used to play a different character in Coronation Street), therefore the subtle nod was hilarious. Another standout scene was from two iconic legends who have been in the soaps for longer than I have been alive, as a scene between Eric (Emmerdale) and Ken Barlow (Corrie) was lovely. Seeing these character interactions was wholesome, iconic and hilarious, so therefore my only negative complaint as a long-time viewer is that I would have loved to have seen more subtle moments like this.

Charity and Carla, sharing a scene together in the iconic ‘Corriedale’ episode

The crossover left me with questions, mysteries and plotlines which will hopefully be revealed in due course. A particular moment which shocked me the most was the moment Graham, thought to be dead in 2020 in Emmerdale, made a shock return within the episode. I did not expect this at all and I have so many questions! Also, while some deaths were made clear, such as Billy, it is highly likely more characters will be injured or dead in future episodes. Therefore, the episode left me terrified but excited to see how the events of Corriedale will impact the livelihoods of the characters and leave repercussions for themselves and their families. 

Overall, as a lifelong soap fanatic, this crossover episode left me on the edge of my seat, as well as explored the complexities and relationships between characters, alongside epic crashes and stunts. Whilst ITV have denied this historic event ever occurring again, I am hopeful we will see the Cobbles and the Dales intertwine in the future once more. If you are not a soap fan, I urge you to watch – you will not want to miss out on the drama, and you may be hooked just like me!