Emmerdale viewers are suspicious over Joe Tate’s real reasons for heading to the village after some possibly cryptic comments, as well as him seeming unwell on the ITV soap

There could be huge scenes ahead on Emmerdale involving newcomer Joe Tate, amid fans speculating over his possible ill health.

Joe showed signs all was not well when he appeared in pain, also shown desperately taking some medication. Amid this he returned after exposing Will Taylor’s plan to take down Kim Tate, moments before Will died.

There’s speculation he’s involved in Will’s demise and that maybe despite him claiming to be on Kim’s side, he’s actually out to get her. The character fled the village back in 2018 after Kim ordered his de.ath.

So his sudden return, working with Will and his claims to be helping Kim, covering up the fact she delayed calling an ambulance to help her dying husband, have left fans confused. None of it adds up, and the idea that Joe would want to help Kim does not sit right with them.

More than this his clear ill health has sparked a number of theories, with fans now convinced they know what’s wrong with him and why he really came back. Monday night’s episode only fuelled speculation, with Joe once again not seeming well.

While at Home Farm with Kim as well as Will’s daughter Dawn Taylor, he suddenly asked for some painkillers. Kim seemed concerned for his wellbeing, asking if he was okay.

He told her he had a bad headache, and soon asked for the painkillers once again. He seemed to be in a fair bit of pain, admitting his headache was really bad.

There could be huge scenes ahead on Emmerdale involving newcomer Joe Tate ( 
Image:
ITV)
This combined with his recent agony and him appearing to struggle for breath, followed by him appearing to struggle to get off the floor, has left some fans convinced he’s seriously ill and may even be dying. Now, a new theory is that he’s returned to the village because he needs some sort of transplant.

Fans believe a comment he made about having “another uncle” and him being so keen to bond with Noah might suggest he needs to find a DNA match. Might Joe be having treatment, and might he need a donor who is a genetic match to help with his recovery?

One theory read: “Joe suddenly getting in touch with Jamie was to get him tested and obviously he wasn’t a match. Jamie left Emmerdale before Caleb came and Jamie talks to no one in the village but Joe knew of Caleb’s existence. He mentioned him to Charity. He has done his research. Caleb (and Noah) could be a potential match.”

Another fan suggested: “We know Kim thought Will was faking it but as soon as she realised he wasn’t she jumped into action and desperately tried to save him, but Joe will twist the truth to get what he wants (Caleb to agree to get tested and give him an organ), and in return Caleb suspicions will be confirmed. Kim is capable after all of watching a husband die of a heart attack and do nothing.”

A third fan posted: “I wondered if it was cancer. Either Joe has, or has had, cancer. That might account for the sudden pain he seemed to have, plus I think Joe’s lack of (amazing) hair is possibly a clue too. He may have a ‘life is too short’ moment and is back as a changed man. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out.” A further theory said: “That’s my guess – Leukaemia, he’s had some chemotherapy, but now needs a bone marrow transplant. So he’s looking for a close relative who could be a match.”