Emmerdale viewers think Joe Tate is plotting the downfall of Kim Tate despite his claims to be looking out for her, and he could team up with another character on the ITV soap

There could be a secret revenge mission on the way on Emmerdale, with fans believing a recent scene teased all.

Joe Tate’s return has certainly ruffled feathers, and now fans think they know what his game really is. He returned as part of a plot to destroy Kim with Will Taylor and Peter.

But Joe claimed to Kim he was actually testing her partner Will to see whether he’d go through with it. He told her he was on her side and was protecting her, and so far he’s convinced her amid Will’s demise.

Will died from a heart attack minutes after Kim confronted him, and Joe has covered up the events of that day including the plan, the row and the fact Kim thought Will was faking his health scare that eventually killed him. But despite Joe sticking around and claiming to be there for Kim, he’s sparked suspicions with Dawn Taylor and Billy Fletcher.

It’s not just them though as viewers are also convinced he’s up to something. Fans are convinced he really is back to target Kim, after she tried to have him killed back in 2018 – leading to him fleeing the village.

Perhaps he isn’t working alone or maybe at some point, he will have an accomplice. Fans think the scene on New Year’s Eve of Joe and Dawn in the pub, which then flashed to the mystery person being trapped under an icy lake, might gave been a giveaway.

There could be a secret revenge mission on the way on Emmerdale (Image: ITV)

Could Dawn and Joe end up teaming up to take down Kim? Is it Kim or even Joe that ends up under the ice, as the revenge plan takes a deadly turn? Might Dawn actually be targeting Joe in secret, turning against him and leading to his demise?

One viewer theorised: “I feel like the bodybag MIGHT be something to do with Kim – Joe and Dawn being there wasn’t a convenience, they both want revenge on Kim, so I wonder if this could be where the story’s heading.”

Another theory read: “Having watched the flash forwards several times on Facebook and on the episode I have a small theory about who is under the ice. Just before they showed each of the first three clips after showing the person in the clip.

“The fourth clip of the body going in the water was after a random group of people was shown. The final clip was just after a shot of Dawn and Joe.

“Looking at the hands, I think it is Joe under the ice, and possibly Dawn put him there. She does think Joe caused Will’s death, and everyone hates Joe. He is already making more enemies than he had before. Joe could definitely be either under the ice or in the body bag.”

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