Classic Emmerdale on ITV3: When it’s on and what’s happening
ITV3 show repeats of old Emmerdale episodes twice a day
Classic Emmerdale has been airing on ITV3 since 2019. Old episodes of the show air twice a day on the sister channel of ITV – and they’re certainly popular with fans.
So when is Classic Emmerdale on ITV3? And what’s happening in current scenes?
Did Classic Emmerdale start from the beginning?
When Classic Emmerdale began airing on ITV3 back in 2019, it didn’t start with the very earliest episodes.
Instead it started in 1989. Some fans might wonder why, but that was a big year for the show!
What happened in Emmerdale in 1989?
Emmerdale began in 1972. Back then it was called Emmerdale Farm and the show had a real farming focus. Plus it only aired in the afternoons at first.
By 1989 the show had moved to an evening slot in every ITV region, and the storylines had shifted to be less about the farm and more about the residents of the village. Things had spiced up a lot!
In fact, that same year, the name of the soap changed to just Emmerdale.
And there was another important change that year, too. In 1989, a new family bought Home Farm.
Their name was Tate!
Kim, Frank, Chris and Zoe moved into the village and immediately caused a stir. They remain on of the most iconic Emmerdale families to date.
Do viewers like Classic Emmerdale?
They definitely do! In fact, many fans think it’s even better than current episodes of the show.
“It’s quite startling how much better Classic Emmerdale is,” one disgruntled viewer commented on social media.
While another agreed: “The difference is startling.”
It’s quite startling how much better #ClassicEmmerdale is to the current #Emmerdale and that is all down to writers.
— MIKE (@mikepriestley13) May 27, 2024
Scriptwriters on Emmerdale and @itvcorrie really have lost the plot. I watch the Classic Emmerdale and Classic Corrie sometimes and the difference is startling
— Dave Copeland (@davidcopeland75) May 27, 2024
When is Classic Emmerdale on?
Classic Emmerdale airs on ITV3 every week day from Monday to Friday at 1.40pm and 2.10pm. There is then a repeat the following morning at 6am and 6.30am. It’s also available on catch-up on ITVX.
What’s happening in Classic Emmerdale right now?
Currently, the episodes are in 2005. The Kings are big on screen as Max tries to prove himself a worthy member of the family.
But in upcoming scenes, it’ll be the end of Max when he is mown down by Robert Sugden. Robert then leaves the village after Jack tries to protect him from being arrested.
The exit of Zoe Tate also aired in 2005, and that was explosive – quite literally!
Also coming in 2005, Ashley and Laurel Thomas get engaged and are set to marry for the first time.
The devastating news that Alison Wilson, Sam Dingle’s first wife, has cancer hit in 2005. She kept it a secret at first, but then confessed all to Sam. Pregnant Alice proposed to Sam and the following year they got married before she tragically died.
Meanwhile, the big Christmas storyline of that year saw Belle Dingle and Daz Eden trapped in a mineshaft. Fortunately they were rescued by a man walking his dog.
The scenes won the soap a Spectacular Scene of the Year award at the 2006 British Soap Awards. A young Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle) also won the Best Dramatic Performance From a Young Actor or Actress.
The death and funeral of long-time favourite Seth Armstrong also happened in 2005.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.