Joe Tate made a surprise return to Emmerdale on Christmas Eve, but fans suspect there is a sad reason for why he came back.
Joe left the Dales in 2018 and he was presumed dead. He was later revealed to be alive and living abroad.
Last year he was unmasked as being the mystery man working with Kim Tate‘s financial advisor in a bid to bring her down. But fans believe he has really returned home to die.
Joe Tate in Emmerdale
Joe is the son of Chris Tate and Rachel Hughes, and the half brother of Noah Dingle. His parents died when he was young, making his aunt Zoe Tate his legal guardian. Zoe, Joe and Zoe’s daughter Jean left the village in 2005.
He then returned as an adult 12 years later. At first he used a false name and started a relationship with Debbie Dingle as part of his revenge plan against Charity Dingle. Joe blamed Charity for driving his dad to suicide.
In 2018, it appeared as if Joe Tate had died after being punched by Cain Dingle and hitting his head. Graham put Joe into the boot of his car and later told Kim that Joe had been taken care of.
However, viewers saw Joe’s hand twitch. It was later revealed that Joe was not dead and was in fact living abroad off of Kim’s money.
Six years on, Joe has returned yet again. Still played by Ned Porteous, Joe made his big entrance on Christmas Eve. It was revealed that Joe was actually the one pulling the strings behind Will and Peter’s plans to bring down Kim.
Joe informed Kim that Will had been plotting behind her back. He also claimed that he and Peter had simply gone along with it as a joke to see how far Will would go.
After lying for Kim to the police about Will’s death, Joe appears to have his feet under the table at Home Farm. But fans are convinced there is more to his return after he was shown in pain, struggling to breathe and taking medication.
Joe Tate death fan theory
Fans took to social media to speculate about why Joe needs the medication. Joe also caused concern in Monday’s episode when he asked for painkillers for a really bad headache.
One fan wrote on Instagram: “I’m beginning to wonder if Joe came back to Emmerdale to die?!?!? A headache is never just a headache on a soap.”
A second fan said: “I think Joe got what Chris had.” Joe’s dad Chris was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour and he later took his own life. A third fan replied to the comment, writing: “I bet if Joe’s got a brain tumour like Chris, he will be terminal like Chris. He kills himself like Chris did, to frame Kim for his ‘murder’ for revenge like Chris did with Charity.”
Over on X, another fan asked: “What IS wrong with Joe? I’m worrying if it’s caused by the head injury he sustained when he left, or if it’s a family thing with his heart?”
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
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