Emmerdale aired a huge twist on Christmas Day as Joe Tate, played by Ned Porteous, made a dramatic comeback to the village. The character returned after a six year absence to form part of a plot to take down Kim Tate (Claire King), with her husband Will Taylor (Dean Andrews).
However, things took a dramatic turn when Will died from a fatal heart attack after Joe revealed all. In the aftermath of Will’s death, Kim has been left heartbroken – with Joe now sticking around, playing the caring step-grandson and claiming to be there for Kim.
But Joe is also showing worrying signs of a serious health condition. Earlier this month, a scene showed Joe in his room at the B&B, and suddenly he seemed to feel unwell.
Emmerdale’s Joe Tate made a surprise return to the village on Christmas Day
(Image: ITV)
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Appearing to be in pain, he then rummaged through his bag and chucked out packets of pills onto the bed, before taking the medication he was looking for. Last week, he asked Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) for some painkillers, with Kim left concerned.
As Joe takes centre stage in the ITV soap some viewers have been left shocked after realising actor Ned once starred in EastEnders as the son of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).
In 2016, Ned was cast in the role of Mark Fowler Jr, the son of Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell ) and hardman Grant, and the nephew of Martin Fowler (James Bye). Mark Jr’s surprise entrance came when he flew from Florida to London in search of his real dad Grant, but he didn’t stay around for long.
In 2016, Ned played Mark Jr in EastEnders alongside Ross Kemp as his on-screen dad Grant Mitchell
(Image: Daily Mirror)
EastEnders fans might not have even been alive when Pauline Fowler’s (Wendy Richard) daughter Michelle escaped from Walford and headed to the US without telling Grant she was carrying his baby.
Mark Jr was then born off-screen in 1996, and after 20 years the secret was unearthed about the Mitchell/Fowler love child when he rolled up to the Square in search of answers about his paternity.
But Mark’s presence only lasted a month before he left the East End and returned to America in a bid to not get caught up in the Mitchell madness.
“Being part of two iconic families and the longest kept secret in EastEnders’ history is beyond exciting!” Ned revealed at the time of his arrival on the soap. He added: “I’m honoured to be here and can’t wait for viewers to meet Mark Jr.”
Emmerdale star Ned Porteous as Mark Fowler Jr in EastEnders
(Image: BBC)
Taking to social media, Emmerdale fans have shared their surprise at Ned’s EastEnders role, with one person writing: “I didn’t know that Joe [has] been in Bridgerton, and EastEnders as Mark Jnr.”
A second confessed: “How have I only just found out Joe Tate in #Emmerdale is played by the same actor that played Mark Fowler Jr in #EastEnders”. Another chimed in: “I didn’t know he’d been in EastEnders.”
While another added: “Ned Porteous back as Joe Tate is awesome but I preferred him playing Mark fowler Jr (Mitchell) in EastEnders. We didn’t have him long enough as Grant’s son. #Emmerdale #Eastenders.”
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX