Why is Emmerdale on for an hour tonight as the show clashes with EastEnders?

Emmerdale is back with an hour-long episode after a brief absence (Picture: ITV)

After being absent from its regular time slot on Friday and Monday, Emmerdale fans can heave a sigh of relief that the soap is back tonight.

However if your Tuesday night plans also involved watching EastEnders then you might just have to think again – as the two shows are clashing in the schedules this evening.

Thats because Emmerdale is returning with a double one-hour episode, meaning itll be on at the exact same time as the Tuesday trip to Albert Square.

Just what is going on and why was it off air in the first place?

Heres what you need to know…

Why is Emmerdale on for an hour tonight?

The hour-long episode of Emmerdale is to make up for the fact that the show wasnt on on Monday night – meaning youre effectively getting two episodes in one.

The soap was shunted out of its usual time slot on both Friday and Monday to make way for UEFA 2020 qualifier matches featuring England.

Emmerdale returns after a brief break for Euro 2020 matches — The soap took a back seat to football (Picture: ITV)

Friday saw both Emmerdale and Coronation Street shelved as the team took on Czech Republic in their bid to win a place in the finals of next summers football tournament (which they won 5-0).

And the soaps took a back seat again on Monday when England took on Montenegro – winning that clash 5-1.