Emmerdale reveals Joe Tate’s secret in ITVX episode – and teases sinister new scheme

For months now, viewers have known that Joe has an ulterior motive for being back in the village, and his actions were the catalyst for the fatal limousine crash after he drugged half-brother Noah Dingle (Jack Downham).

As the soap opera went on, it became apparent that Joe was preoccupied and not in good health when he rejected Dawn Fletcher, played by Olivia Bromley.

Following another rejection by Dawn, Joe found himself isolated in his bedroom at Home Farm. At this point, the true essence of Joe’s ailment became apparent.

Joe unveiled his enigmatic travel bag, containing a dialysis device. Later, a meeting with Crowley revealed that Joe suffers from long-term kidney disease, implying he’s in search of a kidney transplant.

It was for this reason that Joe had targeted Noah, although he and Crowley had failed to check if the young man was a donor match first.

As Noah managed to slip away from their grasp, oblivious to the true events of that fateful evening, I mused that our hasty decision to drug him was regrettable – a misstep in our cinematic journey.

Yet he was determined that his donor had to be a relative, and Joe already had a new plan at the ready – whether the character consented to giving away their kidney or not!

Is this storyline set to get even darker? It appears so, but what’s Joe’s next move?

Anyone affected by chronic kidney disease can read more on the NHS website or visit Kidney research UK.