Emmerdale viewers think an icon is set to return in a Joe Tate twist

Emmerdale viewers are convinced they have worked out who Joe Tate has been speaking to on the phone as his plan to get Noah Dingle to Dubai continues.

Since returning to the Dales last year conniving Joe (Ned Porteous) has found himself at the centre of more scandal. He has been having an affair with Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) which has been rumbled by Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).

However, instead of giving Joe’s secret away Charing has been more concerned over his influence on her son Noah. In recent episodes of the ITV soap, has been trying to convince his half-brother Noah (Jack Downham) to move to Dubai for an unknown reason.

After Joe sabotaged Noah’s business online and stole his tools, Noah thought about the opportunity and decided to give life in the United Arab Emirates a go leaving Joe delighted.

But Noah soon realised all may not be what it seems and decided to stay in the village leaving Charity a happy mum. However, Joe was left furious with Noah’s decision and have tried to convince him to change his mind.

On Wednesday (February 12), stressed-out Joe made a phone call to an unknown person confirming he wants Noah to be involved with some sort of mysterious plan.

Emmerdale viewers have since been wondering who Joe is speaking to the phone, with some fans convinced its Joe and Noah’s dad, Chris Tate (Peter Amory) – despite the character being dead.

Chris made his first appearance in 1989 and was a troubled soul as he resented his way of life after a plane crash left him paralysed from the waist down.

After his accident, he was caught up in various family feuds with his father and stepmother Kim Tate (Claire King).

The businessman went through a number of turbulent relationships, including with Charity. If all of this heartbreak wasn’t enough, Chris found out he had an inoperable brain tumour.

In a revenge plot, Chris took his own life and framed Charity for his ‘murder’, with his final scene airing in September 2003. But is he really dead?

Taking to Facebook, one Emmerdale fan wrote: “Anyone else got the feeling Chris Tate is not really dead”. A second replied: “You could be right deffo something dodgy”.

A third added: “He died on screen”, as another compared the soap to Dallas and wrote: “So did Bobby Ewing. You know how soaps work.”

“Chris Tate will be returning from the dead next year sometime in July and August time as they have done big hints about Kim’s future”, said another.

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