Emmerdale viewers are convinced they’ve know who Joe Tate was speaking to on the phone

Emmerdale fans think they have rumbled the identity of the mystery person Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) has been communicating with – and it’s a long-lost member of his family. Joe returned to the village at Christmas after a six year absence, and he is already causing trouble for the local residents.

His shock comeback came during Will Taylor’s (Dean Andrews) ploy to bring down Kim Tate (Claire King). But when Will had a fatal heart attack, Joe confessed to the plan and has managed to get his feet back under the table at Home Farm.

Joe is now posing as the caring grand-son to Kim, while having an affair with Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley). He is also insisting on a reunion with his half-brother Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) but appears to be suffering from a significant health issue.

Adding to the mystery, Joe has been speaking to an unknown person on the phone leading Kim to become suspicious.

Emmerdale fans are now speculating who Joe is in contact with as some viewers are sure it’s his cousin Jean Tate, who is the daughter of Joe’s aunt Zoe Tate and Scott Windsor.

Played by Megan Pearson, the character was introduced in January 2003 and would remain on the soap until September 2005, when she and her mum Zoe Tate (Leah Bracknell) moved to New Zealand.

Taking to Reddit, one viewer asked: “Joe, does anybody feel like with what is going on that another return could be on the way? I think it’s Jamie.”

Another replied: “Seems that most of the Tate’s have been mentioned lately, but one strong possibility who Joe is working for is…..Jean. Phone calls to whoever only seem to happen at night etc unless it’s to the guy that was helping him, who then has to wait for a phone call back. Jean emigrated to New Zealand and would be around 22 now..”

A third chimed in: “I hope it’s Jean. Can’t bear a Jamie return”. While another added: “I’d happily welcome Jean arriving, but I’m not keen on Jamie. The character didn’t work for me.”

One X, one Emmerdale viewer pondered: “Could maybe Jean Tate be waiting somewhere in the wings to appear?? #emmerdale.”

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV and ITVX