Emmerdale fans ‘work out’ Joe Tate’s sinister storyline after drugging Noah Dingle in flashback scene

EMMERDALE viewers have ‘worked out’ Joe Tate’s sinister storyline – after drugging Noah Dingle in a flashback scene.

Ned Porteous reprised his role as Joe late last year – having left the ITV soap in 2018.

ITV

Emmerdale viewers have predicted Joe Tate’s sinister intentions[/caption]

ITV

Viewers found out he drugged half brother Noah Dingle[/caption]

ITV

Noah tried to remember what happened in a hazy flashback[/caption]

Since returning to the Dales, Joe has tried to form a relationship with half-brother Noah (Jack Downham).

Viewers are speculating over Joe’s sinister intentions – who has a mystery illness – as they shared their theories online.

One wrote on X: “So I take it Joe Tate needs a new heart and decided to try and steal Noah’s.”

Another penned: “I’m wondering if in @emmerdale, #Joe took #Noah to some dodgy clinic and was selling Noah’s kidney.

“After all, Joe’s got some mystery illness/lots of pain..”

A third penned: “Joe really tryna have Noah wake up in a bathtub full of ice and a missing kidney.”

While a fourth said: “Is anyone else thinking that Joe is after one of Noah’s kidneys?”

Scenes aired earlier in the week saw Noah wind up drugged and lying in the road.

Following this was a huge limo crash – which put several villagers’ lives in danger.

It saw the deaths of Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough), Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) and Amy Wyatt (Natalie Ann Jamieson).

When Noah woke up in hospital, doctors informed him that he’d likely been drugged.

A flashback later showed him trying to piece together what had happened.

Noah hazily recalled being in a hospital with two figures standing over him.

One appeared to be a doctor, who injected him with a syringe.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

Viewers saw the other person was none other than Joe.

Meanwhile, Noah’s mum Charity (Emma Atkins) has openly distrusted Joe ever since he returned to the village.

What drama will unfold between them next?

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and ITVX.

ITV

Ned Porteous returned as Joe at the end of 2024[/caption]

ITV

What does Joe have in store for Noah?[/caption]