Emmerdale viewers have worked out another big death looming on the ITV soap following scenes with Joe Tate on Thursday night, as a new character hinted at someone’s demise

Another tragic death could be about to air on Emmerdale after a twist with Joe Tate.

The ITV soap appeared to confirm what he had been hiding for weeks, with his secret under threat. Viewers saw Joe in a bad way, leading to his doctor, Dr Crowley, showing up and seemingly acting to save his life.

Fans have questioned what is going on with Joe for weeks after he kept collapsing, having medical episodes as well as him constantly taking medication. He lied that he had a painkiller addiction, while it soon emerged he might be unwell – and he was having secret phone calls with someone about a plan.

Comments alluded to him not having much time and more recently things took a sinister turn, when he drugged his own brother Noah Dingle. With his doctor finally identified on Thursday night, more was shared about Joe after he collapsed.

He’d been attacked and locked in a barn by Ross Barton leading to him suffering another medical episode. He made it to Home Farm and called Dr Crowley before passing out.

As Crowley got him upstairs he seemed to treat him offscreen, with the pair talking about a mystery black case on the bed. Joe then claimed their secret plan needed to “hurry up”.

With that Joe revealed he was running out of time, appearing to confirm he was sick and maybe even dying. Viewers worked out that a death was looming for the character, and that this might be why he was planning something with the doctor.

Taking to social media fans shared their thoughts on what was happening with Joe, predicting he would not be on the show for much longer. Others guessed what might be wrong with him and what was likely in the black box.

One fan posted online: “Don’t say they’ve brought Joe back to just kill him off,” as another agreed: “Joe Tate is DYING!” A third fan posted: “Guessing Joe is dying then,” as a fourth viewer wrote: “So Joe Tate is dying.”

On what might be wrong with him, one fan shared: “Joe has kidney failure? Hence a dialysis machine?” Another theory speculated: “Does Joe have kidney failure and was that his private doctor?”

The theories kept on coming with another reading: “We think Joe has kidney failure. The case had a dialysis machine? He needs a kidney match.” Viewers will have to stay tuned to find out!

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays