Emmerdale fans were left stunned as Will Taylor appeared to be killed off over the Christmas episodes amid another character’s explosive return after six years

Emmerdale delivered explosive scenes over Christmas as Will Taylor appeared to be killed off.

Only recently, Joe Tate, played by Ned Porteous, made an explosive return to the hit ITV soap after six years as he was revealed as the mastermind behind financial advisor Pete and Will’s schemes against Kim Tate.

However, things took an even more dramatic turn on Christmas Day when following an argument with his wife Kim, Will passed away from a heart attack. The duo were due to have a vow renewal but Joe soon made a surprise appearance, revealing their scheme, as Kim demanded a private moment with Will.

During the chat, Will, who had tried to call off the plan and attempted to justify his actions, was left crushed when Kim dismissed his explanations and declared their marriage over. He suddenly collapsed, clutching his chest and knocking over the Christmas tree.

As he gasped for air, Kim initially suspected him of faking it and having a panic attack as she refused to help. Yet when Joe entered the room and pointed out he was having a heart attack, a devastated Kim jumped into action and did her best to try keep him alive.

However, sadly, it was too late and as the ambulance crew arrived, Will was tragically declared dead. During the police proceedings, Joe quickly appeared to protect Kim as he said Kim immediately jumped in to save Will and he had collapsed from singing Christmas carols.

Despite Will seemingly killed off, soap watchers are convinced he’s still alive and his death is all part of the revenge plan against Kim. From a suspicious scene, no goodbye message and Joe’s dark secret, here’s a look at all the theories…

‘Suspicious scene’

Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers weren’t convinced by the ambulance crew that showed up as one person said: “Never seen so such awful CPR performed. Especially by so called paramedics in my life” while a different account put: “Mmm 2 questions why didn’t the paramedics use the defibrillator and I thought paramedics weren’t allowed to stop until told to do so by a doctor. I might be wrong but then they might not be paramedics, Will might not be dead & the whole thing is a plot to blackmail Kim?”

Elsewhere, another wrote: “Interesting that Kim didn’t put much of an effort with the chest compressions, no mouth to mouth nor did we see the ambulance crew shock Will. Billy didn’t look too surprised either. There could be a twist to this storyline?” while another added: “So WHY did ambulance crew not use defibrillator.”

Goodbye message

Some eagle-eyed soap fans noticed that actor Dean Andrews, who played Will, hasn’t posted a goodbye message on social media despite being active on his account. One person said: “No farewell words from Will? Is he really dead”, a different account wrote: “No goodbye message emmerdale your up to something you don’t make Home Farm centre Stage for nothing?” while another added: “The fact that Dean Andrews didn’t make a farewell video tells you that will is not dead.”

Joe Tate’s plan amid dark secret

Amid Joe’s return, Emmerdale revealed that the returning character is ‘hiding an even darker secret’. Taking to Twitter, now X, one person said: “He is either actually dead or the paramedics are people hired by Joe to make it a set up which i doubt it is as will called it off”, a different account put: “Said all along Will won’t be dead. Him , Joe and Jamie in a plot together to bring Kim down. Joe didn’t phone ambulance ,paramedics were less than useless, nor did they declare death properly. Very fishy !” while another added: “Don’t think he dead. All part of joes plan with solicitor Peter.”

Emmerdale airs every weekday at 19.30pm on ITV1, ITV X, STV and STV Player with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. It is also available each morning from 07.00am on ITVX.