Fans of Emmerdale and Coronation Street face disappointment this evening, Tuesday 3 February, as both programmes have been subject to scheduling changes.

Under the current arrangements introduced earlier this year, Emmerdale broadcasts on weeknight evenings at 8pm, with Coronation Street following at 8:30pm in ITV’s new soap power hour.

Tonight, however, both shows have been pushed aside for football coverage. The EFL Cup Live fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea will occupy the airwaves from 7:30pm until 10:25pm, with the match commencing at 8pm.

On Twitter, now known as X, viewers have already expressed their frustration about the disruption.

One viewer questioned: “I don’t understand why, when they insist on showing football on itv, they don’t put the soaps on itv2. At least both sets of fans are happy. #itv #emmerdale #corrie.”

Another account observed: “For the 2nd time in 2026 football takes priority over the soaps and both @emmerdale #Emmerdale and @itvcorrie #Corrie get bumped from the schedule. When this use to happen there’d also be extra shows on the next day but that’s changed too.”

A fellow soap enthusiast noted: “No #Emmerdale or #Corrie tonight due to football on itv they are both back as normal tomorrow night.”

Viewers will be keen to resume watching after Monday’s Emmerdale saw beloved character Moira Dingle arrested and charged with two murders despite her innocence. During Monday’s instalment, Moira and Cain Dingle were left reeling after being arrested for murder in front of their children.

At the station, Cain stayed tight-lipped throughout his interview and walked free without any charges being brought.

By contrast, Moira insisted during her questioning that Celia Daniels had framed her, only to be left shell-shocked when DS Walsh delivered the bombshell that Celia was amongst the dead.

Viewers will remember that Celia, who imprisoned Bear Wolf and other victims including Anya on her farm in a modern slavery scheme, denied Anya medical assistance.

Following Anya’s tragic death, Celia and her son Ray Walters forced Bear to bury her on Moira’s land. More recently, Ray murdered his mother Celia, burying her alongside Anya, whilst Bear killed Ray in self-defence as he tried to murder his son Paddy Kirk.

Moira began to unravel on Monday as she grasped the sheer volume of evidence mounting against her, particularly when it emerged that one victim was wrapped in her own blanket.

Matters deteriorated further when DS Walsh disclosed that Moira’s DNA had been discovered on the blanket covering Anya, leaving Moira utterly bewildered to be charged with murdering both Celia and Anya.