EMMERDALE fans expressed frustration after the soap’s social media accounts revealed the surprise return of a key character just hours before the episode airs.
Fans of Emmerdale were left stunned to see Joe Tate return to the Dales this Christmas eve.
The ITV soap revealed Joe was the man who’s been pulling the strings behind Peter and Will’s (Dean Andrews) plans to bring down Kim Tate (Claire King).
With actor Ned Porteous reprising his role, Joe’s arrival is set to send shockwaves not only through Home Farm, but also the rest of the Village.
A flashforward scene to be aired on Christmas Day shows the devastation at Home Farm, and it seems Kim’s perfect Christmas will end in disaster.
But what has Joe really been plotting all this time, and what’s his ultimate goal?
Could Joe be playing a much darker game with far-reaching consequences for everyone in the Dales?
This Christmas, expect intense confrontations, heartbreak and plenty of twists as the future of Home Farm is changed forever.
However, fans were left fuming that the soap revealed Joe’s return on social media before the episode aired tonight.
Taking to the comment section, one fan wrote: “Why do yous feel the need to post this at 7am. When it only comes on ITVX at 7am.
“Most ppl still don’t watch it until the evening?? Spoils the Surprise every single day x”
Another added: “Nooooooo Emmerdale why not just leave it at as a surprise.”
A third penned: “Well I don’t need to watch tonight’s ep now, unless I slept through Tuesday and its now Wednesday.”
Talking about his return, Ned teased: “I’m so excited to be returning to Emmerdale. There’s a lot of unfinished business for Joe, and it feels like the right time for him to make a comeback.
“Joe has always been a character with a dark side, but there could be something much bigger at play here.
“Joe is back for a reason, and the devastation at Home Farm is just the beginning of a much bigger story. It’s safe to say the audience can expect fireworks this holiday season!”
Some episodes won't be uploaded to ITVX early, but the Christmas Day episode will ahead of broadcast
Monday December 23 – 7:30pm ITV1 & ITVX
Tuesday December 24 – 7pm ITV1 & ITVX
Christmas Day – 7pm ITV1 & ITVX
Boxing Day – 6:30pm ITV1 & ITVX
Friday December 27 – 7:30pm ITV1 & ITVX
Monday December 30 – 7:30pm ITV1 & ITVX
Tuesday December 31 – 7:45pm ITV1 & ITVX
New Year’s Day – 6:30pm ITV1 & ITVX
Emmerdale producer, Laura Shaw, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Ned back to Village as the complex and captivating Joe Tate.
“From the moment Joe arrives on screen, it’s clear there’s trouble ahead but Joe’s hiding an even darker secret that could see 2025 start off with a huge bang.”
Joe was last seen in the Dales six years ago in October 2018.
He faced a near-death experience after Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) punched him, causing him to hit his head on a rock.
His butler, Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough), attempted to dispose of the body, but a subtle hand movement revealed Joe was still alive.
By 2019, it was confirmed that Joe had been secretly living off Kim Tate’s resources, disappearing from sight – until now, as he makes a dramatic return to Emmerdale.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX.
