Emmerdale, 'Enders set for another showdown

Soap heavyweights Emmerdale and EastEnders are set for another head-to-head ratings battle tonight.

The Dales is celebrating its milestone 4000th episode with a one-hour special at 7pm, featuring a climactic showdown on a ferry, while in Albert Square, a relatively uneventful episode sees a new character turn heads at 7.30pm.

Direct competition between the two soaps has spelt disaster for EastEnders on numerous occasions over the past few years, and tonight is expected to be no exception.

Only a few weeks ago, the latest clash saw the BBC soap drop to the second lowest ratings of its 20-year history. The lowest - just 6.2 million viewers - came six months earlier.

Don't forget to check back in with Digital Spy on Friday for a full overnight ratings breakdown of the soaps head-to-head.