Emmerdale fans are increasingly frustrated with Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) as the character continues to orchestrate terrible plans without facing any repercussions. The latest backlash follows scenes in which Joe bribed a judge to sentence Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) to 10 years in prison after learning Vinny would not be charged with causing Dawn Taylor's (Olivia Bromley) death.
Joe's history of unpunished crimes
Joe returned to the village in 2024, and viewers soon learned he was seriously ill and needed a kidney transplant. He wanted to find out if brother Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) or uncle Caleb Miligan (William Ash) were a blood match. Knowing they wouldn't agree to help, Joe drugged Noah with the help of surgeon Doctor Crowley and took him to a private hospital for a blood test. When Noah wasn't a match, the pair dumped him at the side of a road in the middle of the night.
In his hazed state, Noah almost got hit by a limousine driven by Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins). Charity swerved to avoid him, and the limo ended up stuck in an icy lake. The crash led to the deaths of Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough), Amy Wyatt (Natalie Ann Jamieson), and Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi). Joe's kidney transplant was ultimately successful after Caleb was found to be a match, but Caleb later discovered his nephew had taken his organ without his knowledge.
Fan outrage on social media
Joe has also been responsible for blackmailing the Sugdens, framing Moira Dingle, burying Ruby Miligan alive, and abandoning Baby Tate. After the latest episode, fans took to social media platform X to express their anger. Tam said: 'I am sick of Joe getting away with everything unpunished , I hope he loses favour with Kim when she discovers her daughter Thea #Emmerdale Joe should be in prison'. Heather wrote: 'It is sickening how Joe never suffers any consequences for his actions. #Emmerdale'. Ryan expressed: 'Joe is so selfish'. Gail highlighted: 'So Joe cause at least 3 deaths &nicks a kidney & faces no jail or consequences but Vinny gets 10 years ????'.
Could Joe change?
There is a small chance Joe might change for the better if Kim Tate (Claire King) and Graham Foster's (Andrew Scarborough) plan to keep Baby Tate closer than Joe thinks works in their favour. In yesterday's episode, it was revealed that Graham is looking after Joe's son in a remote cottage away from the village. Kim has known all along, and the pair believe Joe will eventually change his mind about getting rid of Baby Tate. Being a father could give Joe the opportunity to do good, but if he discovers what Graham and Kim have done, he could react badly and seek revenge once more.
