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It's December and in soapland that can mean only one thing - misery.

Forget tinsel and treats, soap bosses do their best to turn the festive season into a rollercoaster of emotions - and it appears Emmerdale has got in early.

In tonight's episode viewers were left devastated as the Dingle's beloved dog Alfie collapsed when owners Lisa and Zak became embroiled in an argument about selling their home.

As the pair argued, the grey haired pooch loped off away from the house before collapsing on the grass. Devoted Dingle mum Lisa screamed as she saw her pet in the grasses.

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

Suspicious viewers thought this meant producers were writing the four-legged favourite out of the show - with fans pointing out it wasn't the first health scare for Alfie.

Last week he was seen on screen as being off his food and the more devoted fans pointed out back in 2010 he was poisoned after chemicals leaked onto the Dingle's land.

Either way fans begged producers not to start the festive misery with a dog death.

(Image: ITV)

Taking to Twitter, one wrote: "Killing alfie the dog really is the final emmerdale straw of 2017"

Another added: "How can the #Emmerdale writers bear to murder Alfie at Xmas? Murderous bastards."

In Emmerdale, the festive special could be the start of the reunion between “Robron” – Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle. Which would be nice.

Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod has described the episode as the ‘weirdest’ he has ever worked on.

Viewers will find out Alfie's fate tomorrow at 7pm.

In other soaps this feative season, Corrie’s big Christmas present to viewers comes in the shape of returning Carla Connor, while Max is at the centre of the action in EastEnders, which is being billed as “the most explosive yuletide in Albert Square’s history”.