Ben, Susan and her monstrous mother Millie are all stranded in Hebburn for Christmas, but will the Pearson's have room at the inn?

Sarah's got her PhD and is offered an incredible job abroad, but decides to turn it down because of the family. Joe’s rehabilitation is underway and all he has to do is take the car for a drive and then if he can walk to the pub he can have a drink. Vicky wonders if Lindsay is such a perfect man after all. Jack realises that Sarah’s opportunity is too good to refuse and with a bit of help from Denise, they decide to start a new life away from Hebburn.

Jack's secret is revealed, but he's still not yet broken the news to Sarah: the race is on before she finds out! Meanwhile, there's plenty to celebrate at a relaunched Swayze's.

Joe's showing romantic signs of recovery, whilst Jack knows it's time to come clean to his beloved wife. But Sarah's father unexpectedly turns up, having left snooty wife Susan...

Pauline is away on a training day and Joe and Dot play, in the good room, breaking all the rules. Arthur tells Joe about his intentions towards his mother, but Joe wishes he hadn't told him. Vicky attempts to help Gervaise with the photoshoot for his album.

Sarah and Jack might have moved out, but Dot’s now moving in and soon attracts the attention of a man called Arthur. Pauline’s being bullied at work. Sarah wants Jack to sort their new home out, so he turns to Big Keith for help. Jack finally manages to get a proper book deal, but it’s for something he never intended to have published.

The Pearson family attempt to deal with the aftermath of dad Joe’s stroke. Pauline has got a job to support the family whilst Jack and Sarah have a baby on the way and need to find a place to live. Denise, Jack's ex-girlfriend, is also pregnant. Vicky wants to improve her life but her boyfriend Gervaise could stand in her way.