ITV Share By Kerry Barrett Jul 9 2025 By Kerry Barrett Jul 9 2025 'It gets a bit crazy!' Emmerdale star Ned Porteous tells us about Joe Tate's latest shock! Dr Crowley's back and things don't look good for Joe! Features Joe Tate Ned Porteous Share By Kerry Barrett Jul 9 2025 By Kerry Barrett Jul 9 2025 Joe Tate is being blackmailed! He seems to be in trouble for once with no idea who his tormentor could be. Next week, the harassment campaign ramps up as he receives a threatening note demanding £100,000! Then everything changes as Joe finally finds out who his blackmailer is – it’s only Dr Crowley! The man who stole Caleb’s kidney for Mr Tate and who seemed to be totally loyal. Who doesn’t have it in for Joe? (Credit: ITV/Composite: EI) ‘It gets a bit crazy!’ We caught up with Ned Portous, who plays Joe, to find out what exactly Crowley is up to – and how Joe reacts. Ned began by saying this latest twist in Joe’s story is a real curve ball! “Hopefully the audience will like what we what we do with it because it gets a bit crazy,” he teases. But for once, Joe doesn’t have the upper hand. He’s vulnerable and being blackmailed and Ned says he’s enjoying exploring that side of his alter ego. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers “You know, not everyone can be a complete superhero and super tough and super rich and super smart,” he tells us. “You’ve got to have things about your character that bring you back to reality and Joe’s vulnerabilities are those people who he lets in to his life, that he cares about. So yeah, it’s been more fun playing a real Joe rather than just this stone-cold meanie.” Before the reveal that it’s Crowley behind this campaign of harassment, Joe starts suspecting all sorts of people. He blames Billy, and he even blames Sam for a while. “I mean it could be anyone at this point, really, couldn’t it?” laughs Ned. “I think there’s enough people in the village who have it in for Joe, who could be blackmailing him. It could be anyone. It could be Kim at this point, we don’t know. It could be Dawn – it could be Dawn’s kids!” Frankly, we’re not sure we’d blame Clemmie if it was her! Joe’s worried that Dawn could be in danger (Credit: ITV) Blackmail for Joe Tate! Things take a sinister turn for Joe Tate when the letter demanding £100,000 turns up on the kitchen table. “It is quite a scary thing,” Ned admits. “And it’s less the money, more the idea that someone had got into the house because that’s the feeling you’ve lost your safe bubble when someone breaks in to your kitchen and left the note.” Later, Joe’s henchman, Shaun, turns against him, only for Sam to rescue Joe when Shaun pulls out a gun. “They have a little bit of a confrontation, Joe and Sean, and then luckily Sam Dingle turns up with a big old shotgun in tow,” says Ned. “They’ve come a long way, Joe and Sam. I remember six years ago, Sam had Joe down a hole in in the woods somewhere, pointing a gun at his face and now here they are, friends.” Is Sam in danger? But could being friends with Joe Tate be dangerous for Sam? “I think Joe’s fond of Sam because he can figure him out and there’s no evil there and there’s nothing you have to watch out for when Sam’s around,” explains Ned. “I don’t get the feeling that Sam has it in for anyone so I think Joe feels that he can kind of be more of his true self around Sam. Joe’s got less to worry about, again he can be a bit more vulnerable around Sam and he can express his fears and he can express his worries. Sam knows that he’s probably safe around Joe.” Shaun whacks Joe round the head (Credit: ITV) Is Joe Tate in danger?! But despite Joe Tate being saved by Sam once, Shaun eventually gets hold of him, and whacks him round the head. “Shaun takes a shovel to Joe’s head and he wakes up in a rather suspicious location. He’s very confused and very scared and not sure where he is.” Dr Crowley is looming over Joe (Credit: ITV) It’s only Dr Crowley! And he sees Dr Crowley looming over him! Someone he never expected to see again. So is Joe terrified? “Joe’s entire thing is about trying to seem in control of the situation, when that’s really the furthest thing from the truth,” Ned says. And he says he’s enjoying this latest twist. “It’s always fun playing Joe, regardless of the status of the scene or what the storyline is,” Ned tells us. “Again it’s another great thing about this show. You get to play like you’re in charge. And you get to also play like the world’s falling apart and how am I ever going to get out of this hole? It’s been great either way. Read more: Emmerdale fans convinced Liam will be the one to take down John – here’s why Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett Jul 9 2025 By Kerry Barrett Jul 9 2025
