Emmerdale fans believe a soap legend could return to adopt Joe Tate's baby after his mysterious adoption phone call.
Joe (Ned Porteous) was left devastated last month following the tragic death of his fiancée Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley), who suffered a massive haemorrhage leading to cardiac arrest after delivering their baby boy. Her death followed a horrific car crash on their wedding day, which also claimed the life of Jimmy King (Nick Miles) after he ploughed into their wedding marquee.
Joe refuses to see his son
While in hospital, Dawn delivered a baby boy prematurely, and initially things appeared hopeful for the couple. Devastatingly, Dawn passed away in heartbreaking scenes. Following her death, Joe has been in turmoil and spiralling downwards, adamantly refusing to see his child, who remains in hospital due to the premature birth.
Despite Kim Tate (Claire King) and Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) hoping Joe will reconsider, he remains resolute in his decision to have nothing to do with his son, holding the newborn responsible for Dawn's death.
Fans predict Jamie's return
During Friday's episode (September 25), Joe was spotted on the phone to an unidentified person. He informed them that he requires their assistance to arrange the adoption. He stated: "I don't care how much it costs, I just need the process to start as soon as possible."
Viewers are now convinced they've identified who might be adopting Joe's baby son – a former Dales favourite. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, audiences are speculating it could be Jamie Tate (Alexander Lincoln). "Who was Joe on the phone to?" pondered one viewer. Someone else suggested: "Whoever he wants to adopt his son."
A third speculated: "Jamie Tate?" Another commented: "Yes I would love that, get him back!" A fifth remarked: "Yes especially with Kim's secret daughter," in reference to DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge).
Jamie's history in the village
Jamie first appeared on the soap in 1996 and was last seen on screen in 2021, portrayed by Alexander Lincoln, after staging his own death in a car crash. With his mother Kim believing he had perished, Jamie secretly relocated to live with daughter Millie and her grandmother.
During his time in the village, Jamie notably poisoned his mother Kim, having grown weary of her controlling and interfering behaviour. However, she discovered what was happening and subsequently disowned and disinherited him.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
