EMMERDALE appears to have kicked off a major new affair storyline in tonight’s bombshell episode.
The ITV soap has aired an hour-long special where Dawn Taylor drugged Kim Tate in a desperate attempt to get her to confess to killing her dad Will.
However it backfired when Kim only revealed that she froze before trying to save him before passing out from the drugging.
Kim was rushed to hospital where she discovered she’d been drugged with ketamine – but in a surprising turn she told the police she had taken it herself and covered for Dawn.
And she told Joe that she wanted to forget it all and move on so they could grieve as a family.
Returning to Home Farm, Joe told Dawn: “Look Dawn, you should try to forget about what happened today and Kim will do the same.”
But she confessed that she’d already told Billy who hadn’t taken it particularly well – and surprisingly Joe comforted her.
“From what I’ve heard, you’ve had a pretty rough year,” he said.
“With your son, your dad and your mum. I think it’s understandable that you’d do something a little crazy.”
He added: “I’ve been exactly where you are right now.
“You know what I tried to do to Charity. All that anger that you’re feeling, it’s just another word for hurt and upset. I didn’t know that at the time but I do now.
“Lashing out and taking it out on everyone around you, it doesn’t solve anything. It’s not going to fill the hole that he left behind. I wish it did.”
“I just wanted someone to blame,” said Dawn.
Joe told her: “It’s always harder when there isn’t anyone.”
Dawn replied: “Thank you for today. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there.”
“You made a mistake,” aid Joe.
“It’s OK, we’ve all been there. It doesn’t change who you are on the inside. I know that more than anyone.”
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
And with that Dawn leaned in to kiss him and the pair shared a brief kiss – but it was clear Joe was pleased with the result.
Dawn jumped into her apologies but he reassured her.
“It’s OK,” Joe said, getting up to leave. “Maybe lie to Billy about this one?”
Is this the start of a passionate new affair in the village? And what does Joe really want?
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
