4 Emmerdale spoilers for Thu, Jan 2: Sarah and Jacob's surprise wedding is under threat and Nicola issues Kev an ultimatum

It's the start of a new year in the Dales
Laura Morgan

There’s wedding bells for Sarah and Jacob in Emmerdale spoilers Thu, Jan 2 as a new year dawns in the village. The guests gather to celebrate the young couple, but Charity fears Vanessa is going to ruin the celebrations by outing her terrible secret.

Elsewhere, April is missing and Ray is ignoring Celia’s calls. Did he follow through with his mum’s request to have her killed?

And, Nicola orders Kev to tell Lewis he’s his father or leave the Dales. What will he decide to do?

Jacob and Sarah smile at one another in Emmerdale
Will Sarah and Jacob get their happy ever after? (Credit: ITV)

1. It’s Sarah and Jacob’s wedding day

2026 starts on a high for Sarah when she realises Charity has planned a surprise wedding for her and Jacob.

Sarah arrives at The Woolpack and is overwhelmed to see all the effort her gran has gone to. Charity is relieved to see a smile back on Sarah’s face, but trouble is looming. Vanessa knows all about Charity’s baby lie and could be about to spill the beans.

Vanessa and Charity talk on a bench
Charity fears Vanessa will wreck Sarah and Jacob’s wedding (Credit: ITV)

2. Charity is on edge over Vanessa in Emmerdale spoilers

Soon the guests gather outside the pub for Jacob and Sarah‘s surprise celebrations.

Jacob is left speechless as he realises what’s happening. He watches his bride approaching and can’t wait to make Sarah his wife.

But amongst the excitement is fear. Charity is panicking that one word from Vanessa could blow lives apart. Will the wedding go without a hitch?

Ray looks pensive in Emmerdale
Ray is ignoring Celia’s calls (Credit: ITV)

3. April has gone missing

Earlier in the week, Ray was set the horrific task of killing April. He lured the teen to the woods and got April to dig her own grave. She pleaded for her life, leaving Ray to decide whether he did what Celia asked, or set her free.

It’s the morning after the night before, and Ray wakes up at Mulberry Cottage. He’s happy to be with Laurel, but clearly feeling stressed about what happened with April. Not wanting to let Celia know anything, Ray ignores his mum’s calls. What is he hiding?

Across the village, Marlon and Rhona are in a state of panic when they realise April didn’t return home. Where is she?

Kev was heartbroken to find out the truth about Robert and Aaron (Credit: ITV)
It’s decision time for Kev (Credit: ITV)

4. Nicola issues Kev an ultimatum in Emmerdale spoilers

With Christmas over, Nicola and Lewis box up the festive decorations.

As Lewis heads off to put them away, Kev suddenly shows up. Viewers will be relieved to know Kev managed to escape after being held captive by crazed killer John Sugden. And now it seems he wants to see his son.

Nicola isn’t best pleased to see Kev, and issues him with a stinging ultimatum. She tells Kev he’s got two choices. Either he lets Lewis know he’s his father and tries to build a relationship with him, or he keeps his mouth shut and leaves for good.

Will Kev choose family over fleeing?

Read more: Emma Barton in Emmerdale: Everything we know about the years she spent away from her family