Emmerdale star Oliver Farnworth has opened up about his highly anticipated return in the Corriedale crossover. The actor, who plays villain-on-the-run John Sugden, is confirmed to appear in the hour-long special, and according to Farnworth, he’s “more unhinged” than ever.

Speaking with The Mirror, the actor revealed that John – who is currently in hiding after killing Nate Robinson, kidnapping Mackenzie Boyd, and attempting to kill his own husband Aaron Dingle – will be triggered by “jealousy”.

As fans well know, with John out of the picture, Aaron has been able to move on with the love of his life, John’s brother Robert Sugden, but that won’t sit well with Emmerdale’s resident serial killer.

Asked why John decides to return, Farnworth replied: “I think love ultimately brings him back, and jealousy brings him back. He feels like he has got far less to lose this time, and so we might see a slightly more dishevelled and unhinged side to John. Not that he can get anymore unhinged, but he’s even more unhinged.”

Teasing what’s to come, Farnworth noted: “I think by this point it’s known there are big stunts involved that are filmed at night time. It looks stunning. That’s the action part of it, but the human part of it, there’s pathos, there’s classic Corrie and Emmerdale humour, there’s also huge twists. There’s really huge twists and not just one.”

Slated to premiere on Monday 5 January, the Corriedale crossover will see characters from Emmerdale and Coronation Street collide, quite literally, after a multi-vehicle pile-up leaves several fan favourites in peril.

“Corriedale is just the start of the drama as the aftermath of the crash gives rise to fear, murderous intent, death, destruction, closely-guarded secrets and lies,” reads the logline for the crossover. “Life in Emmerdale and Weatherfield will never be the same again!”

Ahead of the episode’s debut, ITV has released a trailer as well as a cast list.

From Coronation Street, fans can expect to see Abi Webster, Asha Alahan, Becky Swain, Betsy Swain, Billy Mayhew, Carl Webster, Carla Connor, Cassie Plummer, David Platt, Debbie Webster, James Bailey, Jodie, Ken Barlow, Kevin Webster, Kit Green, Lisa Swain, Ronnie Bailey, Sarah Platt, Shona Platt, Steve McDonald, Summer Spellman, Theo Silverton, Tim Metcalfe, Todd Grimshaw and Tracy McDonald.

Meanwhile, on the Emmerdale side, Aaron Dingle, Cain Dingle, Charity Dingle, Chas Dingle, Eric Pollard, Jacob Gallagher, Jai Sharma, Joe Tate, Liam Cavanagh, Mackenzie Boyd, Moira Dingle, Ray Walters, Robert Sugden, Sarah Sugden and Victoria Sugden are all confirmed to appear.