They include Ruby Fox-Miligan, her husband Caleb Miligan, their daughter Steph Miligan, and Ruby’s father Anthony Fox.

In the wake of April Windsor’s disappearance, Marlon Dingle and Rhona Goskirk will also feature in the episodes, as well as Kim Tate, Joe Tate and Dawn Fletcher.

The upcoming scenes will see Ruby try to make a fresh start with her daughter Steph, but she struggles to live a normal life alongside her abusive father Anthony.

Anthony knows that Ruby slept with Cain while Moira was undergoing brain surgery in November, adding an extra layer of tension to the story.

Ruby reveals to Chas that Caleb may not be Steph’s biological father, before making a big decision to gain control of the situation. However, her secrets won’t stay quiet for long, and as a result, her whole life begins to implode.

Elsewhere, Marlon, Rhona and April’s family and friends will be devastated to begin the New Year not knowing where she is. Marlon continues to blame himself for his daughter’s disappearance.

When a secret is revealed, Marlon and Rhona find it difficult to pull together to support each other at a time when they need each other more than ever.

Meanwhile, Dawn is grieving her father Will – who died in the soap’s Boxing Day (December 26) episode after having a heart attack.

After an eye-opening conversation with her husband Billy, Dawn is suspicious of Joe’s sudden arrival, but soon makes a discovery that turns her suspicions towards her step-mother Kim. Is grief clouding Dawn’s judgement, or is she onto something?

It’s not long before Dawn takes matters into her own hands, making a series of decisions that could ruin her life.

The winter nights are long, dark and cold, but a fun night out quickly ends in a devastating disaster that will change life in the village forever.