Emmerdale viewers saw Joe Tate’s health take a turn on Thursday night leading to intervention from the mystery doctor who had been helping him on the ITV soap

There were major hints over what was happening with Joe Tate on Emmerdale on Thursday night.

Fans believed they had finally solved what was wrong with him, with him collapsing and left in a bad way. His mystery doctor also made an appearance, revealing his identity for the first time.

With that there were some major hints to the health issue Joe is suffering with, as well as his master plan. Joe had been attacked by Ross Barton in the latest episode, with him then locked in a barn.

After weeks of Joe collapsing, being in pain and taking medication, things took a worrying turn. We’ve seen him make comments on the phone about not having a lot of time and needing to get something done, with him even targeting his brother Noah Dingle.

But things only escalated on Thursday when Joe collapsed just after calling his doctor, telling him he needed him urgently. The doctor arrived and got him to his room without anyone being around.

When in the room, almost thwarted by Joe’s fling Dawn Taylor, the pair spoke of what was going on. There was a mystery black case the doctor had bought with him on the bed, and it contained something in it that had likely saved Joe’s life.

There were major hints over what was happening with Joe Tate on Emmerdale ( 
Image:
ITV)
Dr Crowley, as he was named in the credits, told Joe that whatever he had just given him and the contents of the box wasn’t a long-term plan. Joe agreed, before adding that their plan “needed to hurry up” as he didn’t think he had much longer.

So what is wrong with Joe, and what is his plan? We now know who the doctor is too, with him not seeming to have a link to the village or Joe so why is he helping him?

Emmerdale viewers saw Joe Tate’s health take a turn on Thursday night ( 
Image:
ITV)

Viewers are convinced they worked out what was in the case and how it was helping Joe. With this, they wondered if they knew what was wrong with him, and what his plan was with brother Noah.

Taking to social media, one fan posted: “I am going to take a guess that Joe is on dialysis and that is what the case is (dialysis machine).” Another agreed: “It could be a peritoneal dialysis machine it would fit in that case but goodness know where he stores the fluid,” as a third fan added: “I think he needs a kidney, That’s a machine in that box.”