Emmerdale fans CONVINCED Joe Tate is alive after Jeff Hordley interview

He plays Cain Dingle on the soap

Emmerdale

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

The question on every Emmerdale fan's lips is: Did Joe Tate survive? Is he alive? The character, played by Ned Porteous, was seemingly written out of the soap last year after his father-in-law-to-be, Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley, punched him to the ground.

Joe then knocked his head on a rock, and his body was taken away by his business associate Graham Foster, who had actually been hired by Joe's step-grandmother Kim Tate to murder him.

However, fans have been convinced ever since then that Joe actually survived the beating - and that Graham helped him escape, since the body that was recovered the other day wasn't him.

However, with Cain confessing to daughter Debbie Dingle - who was meant to marry Joe - that he bumped him off, things will never be the same between the father and daughter, who have always been incredibly close throughout their time on the soap.

But Emmerdale fans are convinced that actor Jeff has given away Joe's survival in an interview on This Morning earlier today with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.

Swipe through to see all the Emmerdale spoilers you need to know for this week...

Gallery

Emmerdale spoilers: week 4

Emmerdale spoilers1 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

The Dingle sisters know that someone needs to confront Cain. It's Charity who draws the short straw, and when she arrives at Home Farm, she's shocked at the state of the house and of him.

Emmerdale spoilers2 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Charity thinks she's making progress with Cain, until he leans in for a kiss. She's appalled, but is concerned about Cain when she realises that Matty has filmed the whole thing,

Emmerdale spoilers3 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

A glum Moira returns to the farm, where she's intercepted by a tentative looking Matty.

Emmerdale spoilers4 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

How will Moira react when Matty tells her that Cain has launched himself at another woman?

Emmerdale spoilers5 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Later on, an optimistic Aaron tells Moira that everything will be okay in the end – but Moira isn't so sure.

Emmerdale spoilers6 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Cain's story begins to unravel as Debbie tells Faith the truth about Cain murdering Joe, and then Faith unknowingly lets slip to Matty. Matty

Emmerdale spoilers7 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Before long, the police turn up at the Woolpack and make a beeline for Cain. But when Cain refuses to go quietly, the arrest him there and then for Joe's murder.

Emmerdale spoilers8 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Bob's hard times are showing no sign of letting up, as Diane unwittingly removes his bag of food tins from the hostel, leaving him with nothing.

Emmerdale spoilers9 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Finding himself without money to pay for accommodation, he offers to close up the pub, and settles down for a night in the Woolpack cellar.

Emmerdale spoilers10 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

However the following morning he's nearly caught. A weary Bob decides his only option is to bed down in the back of Brenda's car...

Emmerdale spoilers11 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

But things go from bad to worse when Brenda asks for her car keys back. Now Bob's only option is a bench in the local park.

Emmerdale spoilers12 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Aaron and Robert have planned to spend a quiet night in together, but Robert isn't pleased when Aaron shows up with Kyle and Noah.

Emmerdale spoilers13 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Soon after, Liv turns up with Belle's new piglet. But things quickly descend into chaos when they realise the piglet has gone missing!

Emmerdale spoilers14 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Manpreet hopes that Risihi will invite her to live with him at Holdgate.

Emmerdale spoilers15 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

But her hints go unnoticed, and Jai and Priya take it into their own hands to convince Manpreet to pop the question.

Emmerdale spoilers16 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Tired of the brother's bickering, Victoria locks Billy and Ellis in the portakabin to smooth things over.

Emmerdale spoilers17 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

But Ellis soon becomes concerned for his brother, as being locked in the confined space causes Billy to have a panic attack.

Emmerdale spoilers18 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Later on, Victoria leaves an urgent message for Ellis but when Marlon and Jessie come barging down the stairs she panics and throws a pregnancy test under the sofa. Soon Victoria and Ellis have some things to work out…

Emmerdale spoilers19 of 19
CREDIT: ITV

Emmerdale spoilers

Jacob finally deletes Maya's contact details from his phone, vowing to move on from the affair, and tries to make amends with Liv.

Jeff became very serious around the question of whether Joe had survived, and when referring to the body that wasn't Joe, he said, "It wasn't him - but as far as Cain's concerned, Joe's dead.

"People are asking the questions, 'Is he alive? Is he not?' but as far as Cain is concerned, he's dead, and as far as Debbie's concerned, he's dead. And I killed him. For the first time - blood on my hands."

Emmerdale
©The moment Joe was 'killed' © ITV

Opening up about how Cain's relationship with Debbie will change, Jeff admitted, "If there's been one constant in Cain's life, it's been his daughter, and now that this has happened, it's rocked his world because she's always been there for him and he's always been there for her, and now this seems to be the end for them."

Later on, Jeff was prompted once again to speculate over whether he thought Joe would return, and he coyly answered, "I've not seen any evidence in the scripts that he is otherwise."

He didn't manage to convince viewers, however, with many taking to Twitter to question his wording. One wrote, '"As far as he’s concerned", the lack of a straight answer suggests he’s not dead', as another added, 'So Joe isn't dead then.'

Emmerdale airs every weeknight at 7pm on ITV, with a second showing on Tuesday nights at 8pm.

NOW WATCH: "It wasn't meant to be good!': James McAvoy talks getting buff and singing Drake in Glass

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store or listen on DAB Digital Radio UK, on Freeview Channel 716 or online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio."

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us