“In Hollyoaks village, a sniper’s lens is glistening…”

Hollyoaks spoilers follow.

Hollyoaks has confirmed a special boxset release for this year’s festive episodes, amid a new preview that teases a shocking death on Christmas Day.

Last week, the soap released an exciting winter trailer, which gives a taster of the drama that is set to unfold over December in the village.

Keeping with tradition, Hollyoaks will be giving fans an early Christmas present by releasing its festive episodes on streaming service Channel 4.

The six episodes that will air over the weeks of Christmas and New Year will drop online at once, giving viewers the chance to watch all the festive drama when they choose – with reunions, confessions and betrayals aplenty.

There are also some new teasers for the festive period, including a shocking event which could wreck the Christmas Day celebrations.

Loved-up Donny and Misbah decide to host Christmas carols for the village residents in front of the magical decorations, but the festivities come to an abrupt stop.

“The Christmas tree and the rousing singing has allowed someone with a grudge to seek their revenge in the most sinister way,” reads the teaser. “Which wronged resident is stalking their prey and who will pay for their mistakes?”

Fans have already noticed a sniper aimed at the group of carollers in the new trailer and this has now been confirmed, so who is in grave danger this Christmas?

Meanwhile, Cleo manages to escape Abe’s clutches, surviving being drowned and aiming to ruin Peri’s big day. “The net is closing in on Abe,” the preview teases, “and the scales of soap justice weigh heavy on the wicked.”

Nancy is trying to prepare for Christmas amid her husband’s disappearance and a flare up of her MS. Darren returns, after abandoning Frankie before her trial, but is this the only thing he feels guilty about?

Elsewhere, Freddie finds himself involved in a complicated love square, while Tony has a life-changing decision to make about his future when Ro is in a crisis as the New Year arrives.

Plus, there will be some big revelations this festive season. Jez’s Christmas grotto is interrupted by a sinister confession, while Vicky tells Dillon a secret, but someone overhears and learns too much.

With all this and more for viewers to look forward to, it is set to be an unforgettable Christmas in Hollyoaks…

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.