The pair have overcome a turbulent year in which they came close to divorcing when Jimmy (Nick Miles) left Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) for ex-fiancée Kelly Windsor (Adele Silva), who exploited his amnesia for her own ends.
© ITV
Blackburn claimed that Nicole and Jimmy's happiness will be short-lived though, as someone or something from their past returns to "stir things up".
"Jimmy and Nicola, there's some great adventures for them coming up," Blackburn said in a 2012 preview video. "I think Nicola's going to put her foot down on certain issues.
"There's a couple of surprises coming up and maybe a wee blast from the past just to stir things up a little bit."
Blackburn also hinted at what the next year holds for other Emmerdale couples Katie (Sammy Winward) and Declan (Jason Merrells) and The Bartons.
© ITV
© ITV
"Declan, as everybody can see, is a complete emotional idiot," he commented. "I think the one thing Katie's not going to do is make any of the same mistakes of the past. We're gonna see a much, much feistier, stronger Katie."
On the Bartons' recent relationship troubles and actor James Thornton's upcoming departure, Blackburn continued: "John's been through hell and back, there's a long way to go but I think there's a chance for them [before he leaves].
"They're gonna find happiness, the trouble is it might just be a brief fleeting moment."
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> 'Emmerdale' producer: 'Aaron will have ray of sunshine in 2012'
> 'Emmerdale' Dingles to face "biggest challenge ever" in 2012
