Emmerdale lines up another dramatic week next week with unexpected twists and turns aplenty, as two fan-favourites are left in a bad way while a number of exits are set in motion.

Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) and Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) are left seriously spooked when Ella Forster (Paula Lane) persistently calls and messages them.

Ella, as viewers know, has copped the blame for Chas’ spiking last week, despite professing her innocence.

But as the situation escalates next week, John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) is on hand to offer Chas and Liam advice, suggesting they ignore Ella and her scheming ways.

Determined to acquire an audience with Liam, Ella speaks to Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) at Tenants and when she doesn’t get her way, she holds her friend hostage until the local GP returns home.

Ella pleads with Liam to see that she’s being framed. Liam, however, concocts a plan of his own, claiming that he’s still got feelings for Ella, with a confrontation in the woods soon ensuing.

And things take a devastating turn as Liam cracks his head on a rock during the showdown, with Ella left sobbing, fearing that she’s killed him.

Has Ella claimed another life?

Speaking of life and death situations, another occurs next week at Smithy Cottage, after Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) tells April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) that he framed Dylan (Fred Kettle) last month.

April is horrified and subsequently steals a vial of ketamine from the veterinary surgery, with Marlon later finding her unconscious on the floor – with the empty vial beside her.

Will April be okay?

Elsewhere, Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) is planning on going on a cruise – and she’s taking a character with her – and Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) is left reeling when Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) offers to sell Take A Vow to her.