Emmerdale and Coronation Street have officially confirmed a long-anticipated and thrilling crossover episode, and fans of both iconic soaps are already buzzing with excitement as speculation runs wild about which beloved characters might finally share the screen. This unique television event is set to mark the launch of ITV’s brand-new “soap power hour,” a dramatic back-to-back broadcast block that will debut on ITV1 and STV in January 2026. The announcement has sparked a wave of fan theories and imaginative predictions, with viewers eagerly discussing the potential for explosive confrontations, unlikely friendships, and jaw-dropping plot twists. Will we see Weatherfield legends clash with Emmerdale favourites? Could a romantic spark fly between characters from two very different worlds? As excitement builds, one thing is certain — this crossover promises to deliver unforgettable drama, unexpected connections, and a fresh twist on classic soap storytelling that will have fans talking for months to come.
For one night only, viewers will see two of their favourite communities come together. Not only that, but they’ll get a chance to vote for which two characters – one from each soap – they’d like to see meet.
Here we rank the most likely pairings to meet in the Emmerdale and Coronation Street crossover.
Could Charity be heading to the Cobbles? (Credit: ITV)
1. Charity Dingle and Carla Connor
Both complex and strong women, not to mention that neither is adverse to a same-sex relationship, it’s no surprise that fans are eager for a Charity and Carla meet.
Already being labelled Charla, viewers are desperate to see it. It’s currently 11/8 to happen, which is about a 42% chance.
“I need charity dingle and carla connor in a scene together NOW,” wrote one fan on Instagram. With a second fan adding: “Carla and charity is the only answer.”
“I need Charity and Carla flirting,” wrote a third viewer.
We NEED Sam to hang out with Kirk (Credit: ITV)
2. Sam Dingle and Kirk Sutherland
Now this is an interaction that just HAS to happen. Can you imagine the topics of discussion?
The bookies have this as second favourite, with a percentage chance of 40%.
“This raises the possibility of sam dingle and kirk from corrie interacting and i’m kind of here for that to be fair,” wrote one fan on X. A second viewer added: “Kirk Sutherland and Sam Dingle can finally converse.”
While a third fan said: “I need kirk & sam in the same room together, trying to have a conversation, hilarious!”
Will Vanessa come across Swain? (Credit: ITV)
3. Vanessa Woodfield and Lisa Swain
Carla’s other half has also been getting a lot of love on social media, with fans eager for her to meet Vanessa – who they believe she shares some similarities with.
The odds on this happening are 4/1, giving it about a 20% chance.
“Oh the Spiderman moment of Vanessa meeting Lisa.. here for it,” wrote one excited fan on Instagram, while another viewer said: “Give us Lisa Swain and Vanessa Woodfield in a scene I beg.”
A third fan had a story idea, writing: “We need Vanessa flirting with Lisa and Carla getting jealous please.”
Will Charity join Tracy in the Rovers? (Credit: ITV)
4. Charity Dingle and Tracy Barlow
Charity Dingle is a popular choice for the crossover. And while most fans are screaming for her to hang out with Carla, some fans think she has more in common with Tracy.
Both scheming murderers, they’d likely have a lot of note comparing to do. With odds of 7/2 and 22%, there’s a fair chance.
“Tracy vs charity. immediately,” wrote one fan on Instagram, while another viewer wrote: “I need tracy vs charity . I mean this with my whole soul.”
A third fan added: “I genuinely want Charity to interact with Tracy Barlow. They are SO similar…like omg…imagine the sarcasm between them.”
Could Ken visit Pollard’s store? (Credit: ITV)
5. Eric Pollard and Ken Barlow to meet in Emmerdale and Coronation Street crossover
As two of the longest serving cast members, it makes sense that these two should team up.
Veterans Eric and Ken are 5/2 for a crossover interaction, and we think it’d make some nice soap history if these two were to share a scene.
Fans agree, with one writing on X: “Time for Eric Pollard to walk the famous cobbles to meet Ken Barlow. Make it happen.”
Another fan said: “Need Eric in conversation with Ken,” while a third fan added: “I can imagine Eric Pollard and Ken Barlow being the best of friends.”
Will Gary be a match for Cain? (Credit: ITV)
6. Cain Dingle and Gary Windass
We’re not sure Cain Dingle would be welcoming to any Weatherfield resident, but one we can see giving as good as he gets is Gary.
Both not averse to a bit of illegal activity, the odds on these two meeting are 3/1. Though we imagine the odds on them actually getting on are longer.
“Cain Dingle vs Gary Windass scrap to the death,” wrote one fan on X, with a second viewer writing: “Cain vs Gary Windass oh we’re so ready.”
Another fan added: “If there’s a stunt… I need Cain and Gary to team up to save the day!”
Will Mandy swap the Woolpack for the Rovers? (Credit: ITV)
7. Mandy Dingle and Glenda Shuttleworth
With their bubbly personas, Mandy and Glenda have been getting a lot of love with viewers.
They’d bring chaos together, sure, but they’d also bring the fun – get the karaoke machine out!
“MANDY DINGLE AND GLENDA SHUTTLEWORTH BESTIE ERA I JUST KNOW IT,” wrote a fan on X, with a second fan adding: “I reckon Mandy has got to meet Glenda. That would be a unique opportunity to watch.”
“We NEED mandy and glenda doing karaoke together !!!” wrote a third viewer.
Will it be a case of mistaken identity for Jai? (Credit: ITV)
8. Jai Sharma and Steve McDonald
This would be an amusing one given Chris Bisson, who plays Jai, used to play Steve’s mate Vikram in Corrie.
A scene where Steve perhaps tells Jai he looks familiar has odds of 6/1 of happening, giving it a 14% chance.
Viewers would be amused to see this interaction too, with one joking on X: “Don’t think we won’t expect Steve McDonald to call Vikram out for posing as Jai.”
Another fan on Facebook had a similar idea, writing: “I can imagine Steve McDonald calling out to Jai ‘Vikram! Vik mate it’s me Steve!!’ And Jai turning around like ‘you what?’ And Steve just says ‘sorry you just remind me of someone I used to know.’”
Will Nicola and Sally be friends or enemies? (Credit: ITV)
9. Nicola King and Sally Metcalfe
Aren’t these two basically the same person, just in different counties? Two wannabe posh nosey ladies with dopey ill-suffering husbands… they’re a carbon copy of each other.
So imagine if they met. No doubt they would be suspicious of each other, with no irony to be seen.
“Nicola King’s counterpart is Sally Metcalfe,” wrote one fan on X, while another said: “Nicola and Sally for sure – both nosey neighbours.”
A third fan simply said: ” Sally/Tim meeting Nicola/Jimmy please.”
Will there be a family reunion? (Credit: ITV)
10. April Windsor and Hope Stape
As many viewers know, Amelia Flanagan, who plays April in Emmerdale, and Isabella Flanagan, who plays Hope in Corrie, are sisters. Their brother, William, also stars in Corrie as Joseph.
While the odds on this one happening aren’t high, it would be cute to see an on-screen real life family reunion.
“Hope and Joseph continue their pranks and bump into April Windsor and she begs them to take Marlon back to Wetherfield with them,” one fan joked on X.
While another viewer joked on Reddit: “A scene where Hope and Joseph from Corrie and April from Emmerdale discover that they are long lost siblings would be kind of hilarious.”
Ross was the victim of an acid attack like Ryan (Credit: ITV)
11. Ross Barton and Ryan Connor
Ross and Ryan had similar experiences in that they were victims of acid attacks that were meant for somebody else.
While the two men sharing their story with each other may be a bit hard hitting for this feel-good special episode, it could be a powerful scene.
Cain is a popular man (Credit: ITV)
12. Cain Dingle and Leanne Battersby
OK, so this one has little chance of happening, but we had to include it as it was suggested by the cast member herself.
Writing on Instagram, Jane Danson, who plays Leanne, wrote: “Leanne and Cain dingle – thank you please.”
We imagine there are a lot of ladies wishing for the same thing…
