4 convincing theories looking at what’s wrong with Joe Tate on Emmerdale – Transplant to brain tumour like his dad

Something is clearly wrong with Joe Tate in Emmerdale as he’s been seen popping pills after struggling, but what is it?

He’s come back to the village a new man, same face but different personality it seems. He’s actually being nice to Kim, which is somewhat concerning…

But, has he really gained some morals? Perhaps ill health has made him see the light at long last. As we ponder that possibility, here are four huge theories as to what could be up with Joe.

1. Transplant

Joe doesn’t look to be very well, clearly taken some sort of medication for a reason. One theory is that he’s got an illness like leukaemia and has returned to the village in the hope of finding a transplant donor.

Noting that Joe has recently been in touch with Jamie, one fan reckoned that Jamie wasn’t a match so now he’s working his way round the family in the hopes of finding someone to save him.

One fan wrote: “Joe suddenly getting in touch with Jamie was to get him tested and obviously he wasn’t a match. Jamie left Emmerdale before Caleb came and Jamie talks to no one in the village but Joe knew of Caleb’s existence. He mentioned him to Charity. He has done his research. Caleb (and Noah) could be a potential match.

“I think it’ll be Caleb (not Noah).”

Another fan added: “That’s my guess – leukaemia, he’s had some chemotherapy, but now needs a bone marrow transplant. So he’s looking for a close relative who could be a match.”

Emmerdale Joe Tate 2. Brain Tumour

Another theory is that Joe could have a brain tumour and actually be dying. He might therefore be back in the village to make amends with Kim before he passes.

This would mean that Joe would have the same illness that his father Chris Tate had.

Before his original exit, one fan reckoned that Joe could have a brain tumour.

“Joe Tate is so delusional, wonder whether he’s got a brain tumour like his dad Chris had?”

If he kept this a secret all this time but his condition had gotten progressively worse, has he felt forced back into the village now that he’s received a worrying prognosis perhaps?

Emmerdale Joe Tate 3. Heart defect

We all know that Frank Tate died of a heart attack. It is possible that Joe also has a problem with his heart, which would make sense as to why he recognised the signs of Will’s heart attack.

He was also seen taking medication in some obvious pain, which could be linked to the heart. This may be why Joe felt the need to help Will, as he also runs the risk of having a heart attack himself due to a defect. Unless, something else is wrong with Joe?…

4. Addiction

Perhaps, when Joe was seen taking medication it was actually down to an addiction he’s developed. Before Joe left the Dales previously, he’d suffered a right attack by Cain which was so bad that Cain had presumed that he’d died.

Could he now be taking medication to manage that initial pain from his run-in with Cain all those years ago?

Just what is wrong with Joe?

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.