Who dies in Emmerdale and which characters will be killed off? Spoilers, rumours and leaks ahead of car crash stunt

Emmerdale fans look away now because at least one character is going to die this week.

All week the ITV soap has been teasing a heartbreaking funeral for one of the villagers as the rest of them gather round the grave to say goodbye, but who exactly is facing death?

A whopping ten characters will be feeling the cold breath of the grim reaper on their necks as the super soap week comes to a thundering climax with a massive stunt that could be the most ambitious ever to be done on British television.

When is the death revealed?

Viewers will have to wait until right up until the end of Friday's episode of Emmerdale to discover exactly who dies, but with so many people left in devastating conditions, the show will keep you guessing right up until the end.

The first of the final three episodes of this week's Emmerdale airs tonight (Thursday 20 October) at 7pm, with the second at 8pm and then the grand finale follows at 7pm on Friday. All on ITV.

But who could DIE?

Robert Sugden

Emmerdale's resident suave bad boy hasn't always had the best of luck in love, but he's being pushed to his limit now.

With the engagement ring he bought for boyfriend Aaron burning a hole in his pocket, the reformed conman, plans the perfect proposal but he doesn't count on a flirty Rebecca White or a vengeful Lachlan White.

With a trussed up Lachlan in his boot and a minor row with boyfriend Aaron taking his eyes off the road, the impending car crash could see Robert meet his maker, and so soon after he finally came out properly.

Aaron Dingle

Having been put through almost insurmountable tragedy and agony during his life, it's a miracle Aaron Dingle still has any hope left.

But against all the odds he found love with Robert Sugden - of all people - and the pair are on the cusp of being blissfully happy.

So obviously fate is about to intervene and test them more than ever, and it could mean the end of Aaron for good just as his boyfriend is about to propose to him.

The soap gods couldn't be so cruel, could they? *gulp*

Lachlan White

He's in a boot in a crashed car - it's not looking good for the soap's teen sex offender/villain in the making.

But would it really be a loss?

Ashley Thomas

Since his vascular dementia diagnosis, former Vicar Ashley Thomas has been desperate to retain parts of his past.

But with the actor's exit confirmed, time is running out for Ashley and as his health continues to worsen, he's a prime candidate for a heartbreaking and shocking death.

Rhona Goskirk

The ex pain-killer addict is stuck between a rock (Pierce) and a hard place (Paddy) in her latest relationship drama.

With her ex recently having returned to the village in the hopes of winning her back, Rhona's been seen dealing with Pierce's increasing jealousy while trying to let Paddy down gently.

With a camping trip on the horizon and an apparent reunion of sorts with Paddy, could she be killed by Pierce in a jealous rage?

Paddy Kirk

Hapless Paddy Kirk doesn't win in love - history has taught us that.

The village's resident vet had an affair with Tess, who then died, his marriage broke down and then his wife started up with

Still holding out hope for a reunion with wife Rhona, will Paddy get his way and suffer vicious revenge from Pierce?

Pierce Harris

Paddy's nemesis is still grieving for his ex Tess, who died after being hit by a car after her affair with Paddy was exposed.

And the spoiler pictures do show Piers covered in blood - even if he is looking down on an unconscious Paddy - but it wouldn't take much for the soap to pull a bait and switch and kill Pierce off.

James Barton

Locked up by the deranged Emma, James is forced to make a bold bid for freedom, but with his broken leg, he's going nowhere fast.

Confronted by an enraged Emma, James is once again drugged and left at the mercy of his ex-wife.

But when he comes to, tied to a chair in a wedding suit, faced with a knife-wielding Emma in a wedding dress, will he become the victim as the Grim Reaper visits the village?

Emma Barton

Not the most stable of characters, even by soap standards, Emma Barton has taken her crazy to the next level this time.

The paramedic has used her medical knowledge and thin grasp on reality to imprison her ex husband and isolate him from his friends and family.

As James becomes increasingly more desperate to escape, the pair face off, and it could mean the end of one or the other.

But will she fall victim to her own madness and will James finally escape her clutches?

Someone else?

Emmerdale might have revealed someone's going to die but they didn't say it would definitely be one of the people in the pictures.

The award-winning soap could pull off the most heartbreaking double bluff yet and kill off a villager not on the list and cause spontaneous eruptions of tears across the country.

So really, no-one's safe.

• Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV

Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.