Emmerdale fans are convinced a soap legend is set to return to adopt Joe Tate's baby son, after Joe was seen arranging an adoption in Friday's episode (September 25).
Joe (Ned Porteous) was left devastated last month after fiancee Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) tragically died from a massive haemorrhage leading to cardiac arrest after giving birth to their baby boy. Her death came after Joe and Dawn were involved in a horrific car crash on their wedding day that saw Jimmy King (Nick Miles) also die after he crashed into their wedding marquee.
Later on, while in hospital, Dawn gave birth to a baby boy prematurely and things were looking up for Dawn and Joe. Tragically though, Dawn ended up dying in heartbreaking scenes.
Joe's decision to give up his son
Since Dawn's death, Joe has been struggling and spiralling, insisting that he doesn't want to see his child - who is still in hospital due to being born prematurely. Although Kim Tate (Claire King) and Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) are hoping Joe will change his mind, Joe is dead set on the idea that he wants nothing to do with his son, blaming the newborn for Dawn's death.
In Friday's episode, Joe was seen speaking on the phone to a mystery individual. Joe told them that he needs their help to get the adoption done. He said: "I don't care how much it costs, I just need the process to start as soon as possible."
Fans predict Jamie Tate's return
Now, fans are certain they know who could be adopting Joe's baby son - and it's a former Dales legend. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, viewers suspect Jamie Tate (Alexander Lincoln).
"Who was Joe on the phone to?" mused one person. Someone else added: "Whoever he wants to adopt his son." A third chimed in: "Jamie Tate?" Another penned: "Yes I would love that, get him back!" A fifth wrote: "Yes especially with Kim's secret daughter," referring to DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge).
Jamie made his debut on the soap in 1996 and was last seen on screen in 2021, played by Alexander Lincoln, after faking his own death in a car crash. With his mum Kim convinced he'd passed away, Jamie secretly went to live with daughter Millie and her gran. At one point during his stint in the village, Jamie famously poisoned mum Kim, fed up with her manipulative and meddling ways. She found out what was going on though and disowned and disinherited him.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
