ITV / EmmerdaleInsider Share By Rebecca Sayers Jan 12 2026 By Rebecca Sayers Jan 12 2026 5 reasons Emmerdale fans are convinced Joe Tate is about to die Joe has a lot coming up Features Joe Tate Ned Porteous Share By Rebecca Sayers Jan 12 2026 By Rebecca Sayers Jan 12 2026 Emmerdale fans are convinced that Joe Tate is about to die. Despite having quite a lot of potential storylines coming up, a lot of viewers can’t help but wonder if we’re actually at the beginning of the end for the iconic character. Ever since Joe returned on Christmas Eve 2024, he has been embroiled in quite a lot of storylines. And in most of them, he hasn’t been the good guy. But that hasn’t stopped a lot of fans from absolutely loving his character. However, now that he’s blackmailing Robert in order to get his hands on Moira’s farm, fans have come up with a few reasons they think the storyline will ultimately end with Joe Tate dying. So, let’s dissect the theory. Fans think Joe might die (Credit: ITV) 1. A whodunnit after the truth comes out? Taking to Reddit, one fan theorised that the show is building up Joe’s enemies again for another whodunnit storyline – even though he has already had one of those after his return. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers The viewer penned: “Anyone else think the latest storyline with him wanting to set Moira up is going to lead to him being killed off and another whodunnit? “When the truth inevitably comes out, people will be annoyed at Robert but the anger will turn to Joe. And to be honest, almost everyone in the village could be a suspect. “I can see the village also being disgusted that he just watched Victoria be attacked and didn’t help just so he could film the whole thing.” Joe only has certain directions he can go (Credit: ITV) 2. Where else can Joe go? The same fan also admitted they don’t know what else Emmerdale could do with Joe. They added: “He clearly isn’t going to be redeemed. It’s already unrealistic that everyone has forgotten about the crash and the kidney. I can see this year being the end of Joe Tate. Another agreed: “Every time he seems to be acting like a decent person, he turns around and does something like this. He’s also just so smug about it all.” “I can’t watch this storyline play out. I’ll start watching again as soon as his downfall begins. Whenever that may be” another penned. Graham has returned (Credit: ITV) 3. Has Graham returned to take his place? However, some fans don’t think he will die as Emmerdale just brought back Graham Foster six years after his own death. One fan commented: “With Graham popping up in Corriedale, and Joe being one of the few remaining Tates, it wouldn’t make much sense to kill him off now.” But sometimes soaps love to double bluff us. So could Graham coming back actually lead to the end of Joe? Joe and Dawn just got engaged (Credit: ITV) 4. He’s too happy with Dawn Other fans have been hoping that Joe will cheat on Dawn with Belle Dingle. For quite some time, Emmerdale fans tried their hardest to get behind Joe and Dawn as a couple. But as the months went on, it seemed impossible. Then, Joe shared a few minor scenes with Belle, and suddenly everyone loved the chemistry between them. And immediately they thought an affair is on the horizon. However, Joe wanted to prove how much of a family man he really was, and then got engaged to Dawn. But if she found out about his blackmail, we’re not too sure she would want to get married. One fan penned: “I did think they were making him too happy with Dawn. That’s why I originally thought he would die in Corriedale. So, maybe they were still foreshadowing a future death for him.” Joe is out to blackmail Victoria and Robert (Credit: ITV) 5. Fans want more depth for Joe Other fans think Joe’s death is likely because of his never-ending cycle of going back-and-forth between being the good and bad guy. One fan penned: “I don’t think the character works. He doesn’t have the depth that other characters have when they’re villains. You usually feel some sort of empathy but Joe just seems cold.” “Joe is boring and tedious. It’s unbelievable that he just gets away with it. I would be fine with him dying.” Some fans want Joe to stay (Credit: ITV) Are fans happy with the idea of a Joe Tate death in Emmerdale? However, despite many seeming on board with Joe Tate facing justice, a lot of Emmerdale fans seem to want it to be a different way. Everyone agrees that a change needs to happen. But maybe that change can be Graham. Because, let’s face it, Graham is the one who was always able to talk some sense into Joe. One fan even proposed the idea of Joe spending some time behind bars to change the course of his character. They suggested: “I want Joe to go to prison. I actually think if they did that and brought him back after it could be interesting. He wouldn’t cope well in prison. He’s a spoilt rich boy, who’s too used to getting what he wants. A post-prison Joe could be very interesting.” Another argued that a character like Joe is needed in Emmerdale. They said: “All soaps need a bad guy. I think people have overreacted to Joe. He is annoying at times but we need someone like this. As a character, he is fine and does his job well.” “He is Chris Tate’s son for goodness sake. That man did so many terrible things in his time. We need a good old sap villain that we all love to hate. But one that we know will not suddenly turn into a mass murderer. He’s bad. But he’s not evil” another argued. Read more: Ray’s dead, but who killed him? All the potential Emmerdale suspects and motives from Ross Barton to Laurel Thomas Share Good to Know Share By Rebecca Sayers Jan 12 2026 By Rebecca Sayers Jan 12 2026 Next Story
