Joe’s doctor is hiding something in Emmerdale- all the theories on what he’s really after

When Emmerdale brought back Joe Tate it was clear that he was hiding a mystery illness that requires an on-call doctor. And nearly three full months later, we still don’t know what it actually is.

But recent episodes gave us more of an insight as he got progressively worse and called for his doctor. But Dr Crowley didn’t seem like any normal doctor. He has been visiting Joe in the evenings, checking up on him during the days. Anyone would think he’s the new Graham.

He told Joe that he needed to stop his affair with Dawn (hasn’t really gone to plan). And on one occasion used whatever was in Joe’s black small suitcase to make him feel temporarily better – leading viewers to believe he has kidney failure. But could the mystery doctor be in Joe’s life for another, more sinister reason?

Viewers are now suspicious about Joe’s doctors true intentions are. And even think he may be more than a doctor to him. But what exactly could he be hiding?

Tate connection?

Some fans think Dr Crowley and Joe may actually be related. And if that’s true, and the doc is somehow connected to the Tate family, then maybe he is up to his own con. Could he have his own plan in motion to take over Home Farm?

Taking to a reddit thread, one fan theorised: “Something is telling me that he isn’t really a doctor, or he has ties to the Tate’s. Why would he help Joe and go to so much length and secrecy to do so? How come he only Joe has seen him?

The relationship between Joe and Crowley seems a bit closer than doctor and patient? I wonder if the reason he hasn’t been seen with other characters yet is because someone might recognise him?”

Dodgy doc

Another popular theory seems to be that he isn’t a doctor at all and is actually pretending that he is to Joe for money.

Knowing Joe, he is probably paying a lot of money for Dr Crowley. So if he finds out this whole time he hasn’t been honest with him, it will sure cause some chaos.

One fan suggested: “I think he could be conning Joe, pretending to be a doctor when he isn’t really.” And another agreed: “That would be so good. Conning the conner.”

What his exact motive would be is unknown, but are we about to find out there’s more than meets the eye?

Another fan believes this is a likely situation, and that the medication he is giving Joe may actually be making him sicker.

They wrote: “He could giving pills to Joe that are making him more ill. To ensure that Joe is dependant on him (and get money).”

Secret relationship?

This one feels a bit of a reach. But some fans think his need for Joe and Dawn to stop their affair is actually because he is jealous.

This theory doesn’t seem too plausible considering if this was the case, Joe could have just avoided Dawn for good. So maybe even if it isn’t a proper relationship, could Dr Crowley have a crush on him?..

One fan noticed: “I wondered whether he was a lover of sorts. He uses ‘we’ a lot, but a doctor would more likely say ‘you’.”

A second viewer added: “I did think after last week that there might be a romance going on. Purely based on the way he spoke to him.”

Figment of imagination

Another popular theory is Dr Crowley actually isn’t real. And instead is just purely in Joe’s imagination.

As fans have pointed out, only Joe has ever seen him. And he seems to appear right when Joe needs him the most then disappears for a while.

The same reddit thread suggested: “It’s also a possibility that Joe is imagining him and he isn’t really there?”

It could suggest that Joe’s illness is actually deteriorating quicker than anyone would like. And maybe, he is running out of time.

Whatever his connection is, it’s time we found out the truth – before it’s too late!