ITV has confirmed the title for the upcoming crossover between Coronation Street and Emmerdale, with fans also getting an exciting update after filming has begun on the special one-off episode.

It was announced in May that the iconic ITV soaps would merge for a “celebration of the genre”, with characters from both Weatherfield and the Dales set to come together in an unprecedented event.

Ahead of its release next year, details have largely been scarce, but the broadcaster has now confirmed that filming has begun, all while unveiling the title for the special episode: Corriedale.

As per the press release, the production teams for each soap have joined forces for an “ambitious stunt” which will have “everlasting consequences for everyone involved”, with the result said to be “spectacular”.

“It’s beyond exciting that filming is under way on Corriedale,” said Iain Macleod, ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama. “There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites and the images coming out of the shoot are utterly spectacular.

“That’s before we’ve even got to all the brilliant transpennine interactions between characters from the different shows! As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year. It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable.”

With filming on the special now under way, eagle-eyed soap fans have spotted several Easter eggs being dotted around Weatherfield and the Dales, with Corrie viewers noticing a wanted poster for John Sugden during an episode last week.

While we don’t know the specifics of the plot or the characters who will be involved, MacLeod did tease earlier this month that a beloved figure from Corrie would meet their end in the crossover.

“The soap gods demand a sacrifice when you have an event of this kind,” he said. “Sometimes the biggest and best exits are for characters that you care the most about. It’s going to be shocking. There will be lots of trauma, lots of drama and lots of twists.”

“It’s a big responsibility, so we [the producers and writers] do agonise about it quite a lot and argue about it. Our story conferences are fiery places at times, and this period of the show is no different.”