Weddings, babies and death for soap

Emmerdale's 40th birthday will end badly for at least one of its characters who will be killed off in the special live anniversary episode.

Show bosses are keeping quiet about the identity of the "well-loved character" who will meet "with an untimely death" in the hour-long episode which will also include the arrival of two babies and two weddings.

Series producer Stuart Blackburn said: "In our spectacular live episode viewers will be taken on a whirlwind journey encompassing every life experience from the two cradles to the grave with love, hate and betrayal along the way. We want to avoid speculation as to which character dies but suffice to say it will have major, far-reaching repercussions."

Coronation Street celebrated its 50th anniversary two years ago with a live episode which ended with a tram crash devastating the street.

Mr Blackburn added: "It's live in October on a hill in Yorkshire - what could go wrong? The only thing giving me sleepless nights is the weather."

Executive producer John Winston refused to say which character would die, but hinted: "The soap gods are like the Mounties, they always get their man. There was a feeling this character has it coming."