Emmerdale airs shock exit for fan favourite character 30 years after debut

An Emmerdale character made a shock departure tonight(Image: ITV)

Emmerdale aired a surprise exit for Joe Tate this evening – 30 years after the character made his debut. Joe has been front and centre of a string of storylines since Ned Porteous reprised the role at Christmas.

Joe was introduced to the village as the orphaned son of Christopher Tate and Rachel Hughes, and the half-brother of Noah Dingle. Actor Oliver Young played the role of Joe until 2005 and when Joe returned in 2017, he was recast as Ned.

After seemingly being k.i.l.l.e.d by Cain Dingle back in 2018, Joe was later revealed to be alive and living abroad. On Christmas Day, he made his return, having been working with Will Taylor – but it was clear he was hiding a big secret.

Joe needed a kidney transplant and was on dialysis and after a failed attempt to take Noah’s kidney, he turned on Caleb and organised for Caleb – who is Frank Tate’s son – to be attacked so he could steal the organ.

Joe was in desperate need for a kidney

In tonight’s episode, Joe Facetimed Caleb, who was still in hospital after the kidney was taken. Speaking to Caleb, he revealed his reason for disappearing: “It’s a work trip. Illinois this time of year is all just wind and rain” as Caleb questioned how Joe was feeling.

Brushing off any hints he had also undergone surgery, he said: “Yeah, late night. How are they treating you?” as Caleb replied: “Doctors are giving me a load of meds. I feel like a right druggie.” Talk then soon turned to the police as they continue to investigate what happened to Caleb on that night. He told Joe: “They found the car; they’re dusting it for prints.”

“I want to talk to you when you get back though,” he told him, with Joe replying: “Sure! I’m not sure how much help I can be. When I got there, whoever did that to you had gone … I’ve got to go for a meeting, but you take care of yourself ok.”

It was then revealed that Dr Crowley was there with Joe. Asked if it was wise for them to speak, he told him: “I think it would be odd to not check up on Caleb,” with the doctor replying: “He’s not your problem anymore. Shaun’s been released this morning pending an investigation and now we’re flying him to Thailand as requested. It’s not cheap.

Caleb flatlined in shocking scenes(Image: ITV)

“Money well spent. And my car?” he asked, as Dr Crowley added: “Discreetly delivered back to Home Farm.” Joe then revealed his plan to leave but Dr Crowley was less keen. He said: “You’ve just had your op. You shouldn’t be travelling and not without trained medical staff,” with Joe insisting he would be leaving the Dales and heading back to Dubai.

“I’m aware of the risks. I can’t stay here. I’ve got medics waiting for me when I arrive in Dubai. Time to move on,” he said, before a car was seen driving him away from the village. However, it remains to be seen whether this is Joe’s permanent exit or whether he will be making a return to the village, especially if the truth ever gets out.

Hinting this wasn’t it for his character, he recently teased: “Well, as we’ve started to see, there are other things in the village that are keeping Joe’s attention, So if he should ever realises that he’s healthy again, what’s next, you know, everything which is going on with dawn, if it does seem legitimate and if it is legitimate, then that will obviously be something to keep him around.

“Also he’s also very low on family members, so potentially being just near and around Noah, that could be enough to stay. Family is important to him and so he may want to stick around.”