Emmerdale fans believe they have rumbled the true, sinister motive behind Joe Tate's latest scheme to destroy Moira Dingle. The character, played by Ned Porteous, has launched a complex blackmail plot, but viewers are convinced his explanation is a lie designed to cover his own criminal tracks.
A Web of Blackmail and Deception
The drama escalated on Wednesday night's episode (7th January 2026) when Joe Tate used a horrific secret to ensnare the Sugden family. He had secretly recorded Victoria Sugden killing her brother, John, in self-defence. Using this footage as leverage, he forced Robert Sugden to agree to hand over their farm to avoid exposure.
However, Joe's demands didn't stop there. He then ordered Robert to help him frame Moira Dingle. Joe instructed Robert to plant incriminating evidence from Celia Daniels's home at Moira's farm. His stated goal was to land Moira in legal trouble with hefty fines, making her desperate enough to sell her land to him and his aunt, Kim Tate.
The Celia Daniels Connection
This is where fan suspicion has taken root. Celia Daniels was involved in serious crimes, including drug dealing and human trafficking, exploiting workers on the farm. Kim Tate had sent Joe to investigate Celia's disappearance, where he found an envelope containing the IDs of the exploited workers.
While Joe presented this discovery as a mere opportunity, fans are theorising a much deeper link. Many believe Joe was secretly in cahoots with Celia and may have been involved in her illegal operations. By framing Moira, he could be attempting to shift blame and cover his own involvement, using her as a scapegoat for the crimes.
"I've said all along that Celia works for Joe. It was him who introduced Celia to Kim then Moira," one fan suggested online. Another asked, "Why would Joe wanna frame Moira or was he secretly working with Celia and needs his share of the money?"
Viewers Predict a Downfall
The growing hatred for Joe's manipulative actions has led viewers to predict a dramatic comeuppance. Fans are calling for characters like Graham Foster, Aaron Dingle, or Cain Dingle to bring him to justice.
"Hopefully Graham will sort him out. How he's gotten away with everything is beyond me," one viewer posted. Another added, "You'd have thought being chucked from a window would have made him stop being so evil. Need Graham put him in his place." The consensus is clear: audiences are eagerly awaiting Joe Tate's downfall, with many hoping it signals his exit from the village.
As the plot thickens, the question remains: is Joe Tate a ruthless opportunist, or a desperate criminal trying to save his own skin? Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
