AFTER a drama-packed Christmas, residents of the eponymous village get ready to welcome the New Year.
But one long-standing Emmerdale resident believes it’s time for him to turn a new leaf. Here’s what you need to know.
Eric Pollard is a long-standing resident in Emmerdale
But could that change?
1. Pollard makes a huge decision
The new year is just around the corner and everyone in the eponymous village is getting ready to celebrate in the hopes of a fresh start.
For Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) this is done by revealing to Bernice Blackstock that a position at The Grange may be up for grabs.
There’s another shock for Bernice when Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) tells Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) that she and Pollard are planning to retire.
Dawn misses out on some family time
2. Dawn and Kim fight
It seemed the Tate and Taylor families had managed to put the past to rest but tensions arise again in Home Farm this week.
Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) is awash with guilt over employing Nicky, the new nanny.
Meanwhile, Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) takes a liking to the hunk… before Kim Tate (Claire King) warns her off him.
Dawn and her husband Billy are happy to see Nicky integrate into their children’s lives as Clemmie and Lucas get along well with him.
However, Dawn’s mood takes a turn when she learns how much fun the kids had in her absence with Nicky over the festive period.
In a bid to lift her spirits, Dawn dresses to the nines for an important business meeting.
But just as she gets ready to impress, she realises she’ll be missing out on Clemmie’s swimming and the guilt takes over once again.
Dawn makes a drastic decision – which leads to an explosive row with Kim.
Can they settle their differences?
Bernice has a new idea in mind
3. Shock pair join forces
The New Year will bring change for Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) this week as she plans to take on a new venture.
But she won’t be alone as she’s hoping Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw) can help her.
It all begins as she tries to keep her mind busy and away from any bad thoughts about her menopause.
As a result, she decides to form a support group while Bob plans to DJ a New Year’s Eve party in the Dales.
But he faces some mockery from other villagers due to his outdated tunes.
Later on, she gets another idea when, as mentioned above, Eric Pollard tells her a spot at the Grange is open.
This prompts Bernice to show off her plans for the B&B and she’s then chuffed to find out Pollard has decided to give her the job.
Bernice and Bob bounce off each other as they make plans for the B&B.
Sadly, Bernice’s actions will have an impact on another resident…
Will Mandy lose her business?
4. Mandy risks losing everything
The festive period is anything but cheerful in the Dales for the Dingle clan who is still reeling after a series of unfortunate events.
Most recently, Woolpack pub manager Chas Dingle was exposed for having an affair with the late businessman Al Chapman.
But there’s more trouble looming ahead, particularly for Lisa Riley‘s Mandy Dingle.
And it could mean a troubling start to 2023.
While Bernice plans her future at the B&B, Mandy insists that she works out her one month notice.
Sadly, Mandy then contemplates having to close the Salon without Bernice.
But she’s left livid when Bernice wants to take Wendy Posner and Bob’s business away from the salon.
As a result, Mandy decides to fire her on the spot – but Bernice is happy to know everything has played out the way she had hoped.
Rhona is worried about Naomi’s influence on April
5. Rhona and Naomi go head to head
This week, Nicola King still has it in for Naomi Anderson (Karene Peter) and acts out.
When April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) struggles with her crush on Arthur, Naomi comes to her aid with a pep talk.
But her father Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) are growing tired of her attitude.
Later on, Rhona catches the young girl with bright nail varnish and links her behaviour to Naomi’s influence.
After getting wind of Rhona’s opinion of her, Naomi confronts the village vet and an argument escalates.
Nicola takes this as an opportunity for her to get payback after her attack.
She drips poison about Naomi’s influence on April to Rhona.
Will Rhona listen to her?
Is Naomi’s time in the village running out?
Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7.30pm on ITV.
