Emmerdale’s Joe Tate made a shocking comeback to the ITV soap this week, as actor Ned Porteous, who plays him, returned after six years – but what happened with Kim Tate?
Joe Tate is back on Emmerdale, but why did he leave and why does he want revenge on Kim Tate?
Actor Ned Porteous, who plays Joe, has reprised his role after six years away from the ITV soap. Joe was last seen in 2018 after seemingly being killed off after a showdown with Cain Dingle.
A year later we learned his true fate as he was snapped on the run abroad, but what led to his heartbreaking exit amid his plans to wed Debbie Dingle? Joe had arrived on the show in 2017 claiming to be a man named Tom Waterhouse.
Tom aka Joe had embarked on a romance with Debbie Dingle but was using her to get revenge on her mother Charity Dingle. Joe blamed Charity for his father Chris Tate’s suicide, and believing she got away with it he decided to seek payback.
So Joe has a history of wanting revenge and targeting people in secret, but why does he want the same fate for Kim? Joe had actually turned things around after his initial drama in 2017 – even enjoying a real romance with Debbie.
But it turned out Joe was working with Kim who was in prison at the time, and she didn’t take too kindly to the lavish lifestyle he was leading. Living it up at Home Farm and making use of the Tate funds, Joe got a little too comfy and Kim wanted him gone.
Joe Tate is back on Emmerdale, but why did he leave and why does he want revenge on Kim Tate? (Image: ITV)
Kim ordered Graham Foster to have Joe killed, but Cain Dingle got there first after he learned of Joe’s plan to jilt Debbie on their wedding day. Joe was actually returning to find Debbie, not able to go through with it, when Cain attacked him and seemingly killed him by accident.
Graham claimed Joe was dead before appearing to ensure this himself when Joe appeared to be alive. Graham then told Kim the job was done, not having wanted one of her pals to get there first.
A few months later though and Joe’s true fate was confirmed. He was alive and on the run abroad, with Kim livid about this. But given Joe had to start afresh, left with nothing and having to leave Debbie and his brother Noah Dingle behind, is he now back for the ultimate revenge?
It’s not known if Joe is back permanently and where this storyline will lead, but Kim may need to watch her back. After all, Joe has form for taking everything from people as Charity knows well!
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
