Emmerdale fans were left outraged when they tuned in for the latest instalment of the long-running ITV soap on Thursday, November 27, only to be confronted by Martin Lewis instead. The money saving guru was given a 30-minute special live edition of his Money Show on the channel in which he explained how Rachel Reeves’ controversial budget, announced on Wednesday, November 26, would affect the man and woman on the street. Although the Yorkshire soap opera is usually broadcast at 7.30pm every evening, Martin’s show was installed in its usual slot, bumping the hour-long episode back by an hour.

Taking to X to vent, one fumed: “Imagine moving Emmerdale so Martin Lewis can show you his PowerPoint.” A second added: “Sod off, Martin Lewis and Rachel Thieves, we want #emmerdale.” A third chimed in: “Sod off, Martin Lewis and give us Emmerdale!!” A fourth queried: “Why have they put Martin Lewis on at 7.30 instead of 8.30 #Emmerdale.”

A fifth viewer fumed: “Martin Lewis in Emmerdale’s slot… I can give everyone a rundown of the budget; we’ll all be worse off. You’re welcome. Now put #Emmerdale on please…”

Meanwhile, a sixth shared: “Your hour-long (Emmerdale)P extravaganza is on at 8pm tonight due to Martin Lewis explaining how we’re all paying more tax.”

During his special, Martin sat down with the chancellor in a pre-recorded segment to put viewers’ questions to her.

However, having received tens of thousands, he was barely able to scratch the surface with the queries he selected for broadcast.

The Chancellor confirmed on the special that people will not have to pay tax on their state pensions if they have no other income at all.

While many do not realise that state pension payments have always been liable for Income Tax, and this has not changed, those who received a full state pension (either new or basic) have never exceeded the £12,570 Personal Allowance threshold before.

However, that could change from 2027 following the Autumn Budget announcements on Wednesday. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the continuation of the Triple Lock, and that Income Tax thresholds have been frozen for another three years, until the financial year 2030-31.

In 2026, the Triple Lock will lift state pension payments to £12,548 per year, just £22 shy of the £12,570 Personal Allowance threshold.