The most watched Christmas soap scenes ever revealed – from tragic deaths to bombshell affairs
THE most-watched iconic Christmas soap scenes have been revealed – including heartbreaking deaths and shock affairs.
In soapland, Christmas episodes usually feature big twists and thrilling drama.
Slingo has compiled a list of the memorable moments most revisited by viewers – based on the number of YouTube hits.
Tiffany’s death – EastEnders
Played by Martine McCutcheon, popular barmaid Tiffany appeared from 1995 to 1999.
In 1996, she became Tiffany Mitchell upon marrying Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).
A tragic chain of events beginning in late 1998 led to Tiffany’s tragic death.
According to Slingo’s research, the scene has 883,000 views on YouTube.
She collapsed down the stairs – later diagnosed with a blood clot on the brain – Grant was arrested for attempted murder.
By New Year’s Eve, she planned to flee Walford along with daughter Courtney – unaware Grant had been released on bail.
Snatching Courtney, he then fled with a hysterical Tiffany following after.
However, she ran into the path of a car driven by Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) and died at the scene.
Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) paid homage by naming her own daughter Tiffany.
Max and Stacey’s Affair revealed – EastEnders
EastEnders fans will likely recall Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Bradley’s (Charlie Clements) romance during the 2000s.
After Bradley momentarily ended things, Stacey got revenge by seducing his father, Max (Jake Wood).
This evolved into what was at first just a casual affair between the two.
Although both ultimately ended up developing strong feelings for each other.
Along the way, Max’s wife Tanya (Jo Joyner) fell pregnant and Stacey accepted Bradley’s marriage proposal.
After the wedding, Max tried to seduce Stacey and they shared a kiss.
Unbeknown to them, Lauren (Madeline Duggan) recorded what they thought was a private moment.
Lauren gave a DVD to Bradley as a Christmas present – revealing the affair to the entire family in unforgettable scenes.
The research revealed how the classic moment has around 1,600,000 YouTube hits.
2010 Tram Crash – Coronation Street
In December 2010, Coronation Street marked its landmark 50th anniversary on screen.
The ITV soap made the most of this occasion by staging an epic tram crash stunt and a live episode.
Meanwhile, the storyline saw said tram tear through the iconic Street, with familiar sights replaced by rubble.
It was sparked after an explosion tore apart The Joinery bar, which in turn caused a tram crossing the viaduct to derail and plunge down onto the cobbles.
Many residents’ lives were put in danger – and not all the characters survived the high-profile scenes.
Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) were both killed off in the aftermath.
According to the data, the tram crash has 623,000 views on its most popular YouTube video.
Den and Angie’s Divorce – EastEnders
Played by Leslie Grantham and Anita Dobson, Den and Angie played a major part in EastEnders‘ history.
They were the first landlord and landlady of the Queen Vic pub seen on-screen.
Prior to the show beginning in 1985, the characters had already been married for almost two decades.
Their relationship came to a dramatic end after Den learned Angie had fabricated having only six months to live.
After he discovered the truth, over 30 million viewers tuned in on Christmas Day 1986 to witness Den handing Angie her divorce papers.
These numbers have yet to be surpassed by any other plotline from fellow UK soaps.
Meanwhile, the moment’s since been viewed around 342,000 times on YouTube.
Val’s Return – Emmerdale
Val Pollard (Charlie Hardwick) debuted in Emmerdale during 2004 and later married Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell).
She was killed off in 2015, during the “Summer Fate” storyline, which saw a helicopter crash in the village.
Val returned in Christmas 2017 – as a ghost in a dream sequence experienced by Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).
Robert was fighting for his life after being hit by a car driven by his former father-in-law and ex-lover Lawrence White.
Val told him: “I know you want to be with Aaron, and that’s nice, I suppose.
“But the thing is, if you don’t let him live his life, if you keep interfering, if you keep being as you are then all of this will be for real at some point.”
She left viewers in hysterics after joking whether Robert “had a thing” for her while she’d been alive.
Altogether, the festive scene has been rewatched around 150,051 times on YouTube, according to the data.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.