Emmerdale fans are growing concerned that Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) may be heading towards a tragic suicide storyline following the recent death of his fiancée Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley).
Joe's devastating loss
Joe was left shattered last month after Dawn suffered a massive haemorrhage resulting in cardiac arrest shortly after delivering their baby boy. Her death followed a horrific car accident on their wedding day, which also claimed the life of Jimmy King (Nick Miles), who crashed into the wedding marquee.
While in hospital, Dawn gave birth prematurely, and initially things appeared hopeful for the couple. Devastatingly, however, Dawn passed away in gut-wrenching scenes.
Joe's downward spiral
Following Dawn's death, Joe has been in freefall, adamantly refusing to see his child, who remains in hospital owing to his premature birth. Despite Kim Tate (Claire King) and Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) hoping Joe will reconsider, he remains resolute in his determination to have nothing to do with his son, holding the newborn responsible for Dawn's death.
Driven by vengeance, Joe targeted Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly), blaming her and her husband Caleb (William Ash) for Dawn's death. He proceeded to drug Ruby and bury her alive in a coffin underground. Joe then relished informing Caleb, whom he had also drugged, about what he had done to his wife. Ruby was ultimately rescued by Caleb and Graham.
Fans predict a tragic twist
With further drama anticipated, fans cannot help but fear a devastating suicide storyline may be approaching for the grief-stricken Joe. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one viewer commented: "I hope they don't go down the path of Joe taking his own life."
Another contributor added: "I think that, like Aidan in Coronation Street," referencing when Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward) took his own life on the ITV soap in 2018. Sharing similar concerns, a third wrote: "Yes I can see that happening." Another distressed fan stated: "Oh I really hope not!"
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
