Ross Barton and Joe Tate: From acid attack to Debbie love triangle – here’s exactly why they hate each other
Debbie played a big part in their rift
Last year saw the return of two popular characters to Emmerdale, as Ross and Joe made their way back. The two share some interesting history, too.
Ross Barton first arrived in Emmerdale in 2013. He left in 2018, before returning six years later.
Meanwhile, Joe Tate appeared in Emmerdale from his birth back in 1995. He left alongside his aunt Zoe in 2005 before returning as an adult in 2017. He too left in 2018, only to return again six years later.
During their over-lapping time in the village Ross and Joe came to blows on numerous occasions. Here we take a look at the history between the pair and why they’re not each other’s biggest cheerleaders.
History with Debbie
Ross has a complicated history with Debbie Dingle. The two started having an affair while Debbie was engaged to Ross’ brother Pete.
Although Debbie ended the affair, Ross and Debbie continued to have a connection and she later asked him to move in.
Debbie left the village for a while, but upon her return, Ross once again attempted to start things up with her. However, this time she declined.
Meanwhile, Joe Tate arrived back in Emmerdale using the name Tom Waterhouse. ‘Tom’ seduced Debbie and gifted her a Bentley. He also bought Jacob’s Fold for her and her children Sarah and Jack to live in.
He later told Debbie the truth – that he was really Joseph Tate. Joe informed Debbie that she was just collateral damage in his bid for revenge against Charity, who he blamed for driving his dad Chris to suicide.
History with Charity
The two men are also linked via Charity Dingle. After marrying Chris Tate in 2001, Charity became Joe’s stepmother.
After discovering that Charity was having an affair with Cain Dingle, he chucked her out. Knowing he only had months to live due to an incurable brain tumour, Chris poisoned himself in order to try and frame Charity for his murder.
Following Chris’s death, Charity went on to give birth to his son – Noah, making him Joe’s half-brother. When Joe returned in 2017, he still held a grudge and attempted to get revenge on Charity.
Ross, meanwhile, had a one night stand with Charity which resulted in the birth of Moses. Upon his return to the village last year, Ross made a move on Charity, proving he still has a soft spot for her.
Acid attack
After Joe left Debbie jobless and homeless, Ross agreed to help Debbie. He agreed to act as a double agent and got himself a job as Joe’s driver.
However, when Joe discovered his duplicity, he fired Ross. Ross then stole one of Joe’s cars and drove back home. But he was unaware that Debbie had asked drug dealer Simon to mess Joe up.
In a case of mistaken identity, Simon doused Ross with acid.
Epic showdown in Emmerdale between Ross and Joe
Ross was convinced that Joe was behind the acid attack and vowed to get revenge. He took Graham Foster hostage and once Joe arrived, Ross told him he had a gun with a single bullet loaded – but he didn’t know when it would fire.
Ross then preceded to play his own version of Russian Roulette. Every time Joe refused to confess to throwing acid at Ross, Ross pulled the trigger.
In a bid to protect Debbie, Joe eventually confessed to the crime. However, a scuffle broke out and the men were horrified when they realised Debbie had walked in and been shot.
As Joe and Ross argued over who loved Debbie more, she was rushed to hospital and fortunately survived.
Ross and Joe are back in Emmerdale village
In 2024, Ross arrived back in Emmerdale first as part of Billy’s illegal boxing storyline. While Joe arrived on Christmas Eve when it was revealed he was behind the plan to get revenge on Kim Tate.
Upcoming scenes see Ross and Joe go head to head again. After Joe tries to get back into his half brother Noah’s good books again, Charity is adamant she doesn’t want Joe being close to her son.
Charity enlists Ross to put the scares on Joe. Ross’ threats obviously work and Joe backs out of taking Noah to a football match. But this is unlikely to be the end of it…
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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