viewers believe they’ve cracked the mystery of who Joe Tate was conversing with on the phone – and it’s a former Dales villain.
Joe (Ned Porteous) made his dramatic comeback to the Dales last month, six years after his departure, causing quite a stir among the village residents.
He returned as part of a scheme to bring down (Claire King), alongside her husband Will Taylor (Dean Andrews). However, the plot took a tragic twist when Will suffered a fatal heart attack after Joe spilled the beans.
Following Will’s demise, Joe has remained in the village, posing as the supportive step-grandson for Kim. But his return has also caused a stir among other villagers, many of whom were shocked to see him back in the Dales.
Adding to the intrigue, Joe is concealing a significant health issue. Earlier this month, viewers saw him in pain and struggling to breathe.
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This week, the drama escalated when Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) discovered an intoxicated Joe in his car in a ditch, along with a bottle of painkillers.
Assuming he’s addicted, Dawn expressed her worries, but Joe later insisted he’s been taking the pills since (Jeff Hordley) attempted to murder him years ago.
Nonetheless, it’s evident he’s hiding something more. Later, Joe was seen making a phone call, confessing to an unknown individual that he was finding it hard to keep his secret.
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The residents of the Dales are abuzz with theories after Joe’s mysterious phone call has viewers convinced they’ve cracked the case, predicting a seismic double comeback that’ll shake up the village.
In a dedicated fan group on Facebook, one viewer speculated: “So who’s Joe speaking to on the phone? ” Others quickly joined the speculation with responses including: “Jamie Tate” and “Hopefully Jamie!”
The character of Jamie Tate, played by Alexander Lincoln, hasn’t been seen since his supposed demise in 2021, when he staged a car accident, leaving his mother Kim believing he was dead, while he secretly retreated to live with his daughter Millie and her grandmother.
EMMERDALE, ITV.Graham Foster [ANDREW SCARBOROUGH] (Image: ITV)
Some fans have also floated the idea that Graham Foster (portrayed by Andrew Scarborough), the late husband of Kim and father figure to Joe, could be the mysterious collaborator despite being killed off years ago.
One fervent fan stated on platform X: “With Joe, I think he’s colluding with an undead Graham, if not Jamie. Kim will find out,” while another affirmed: “I have been convinced Graham isn’t dead since he died.”
airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm