News Beat
Emmerdale’s Ned Porteous confirms surprise Christmas news ahead for Joe | Soaps
It’s going to be a white Christmas for Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) this year in Emmerdale, after being left out in the cold by his grandmother Kim Tate (Claire King) when she furiously blames him for a heart-breaking loss.
Who does Kim love more – her grandson, or her beloved horse, Ice? It’s a close call. That love was put to the test when Sam Dingle’s (James Hooton) illegal shoot on Home Farm had dire consequences for Kim when her leg was caught in a snare, resulting in injury for both herself and Ice.
Whilst Kim bounces back, the same cannot be said for Ice. The damage to his leg was severe, and Joe made the heart-breaking decision to end the animal’s suffering and have him euthanised. Consumed with grief, Kim lashes out at Joe and throws him out of the house.
Actor Ned Porteous provides some insight over where his character’s head is at this Christmas. ‘Joe is basically ousted from the house by Kim Tate, because she’s so cross, because of what he has done to her horse.’ He explains.
‘So it’s going to be a different Christmas for Joe. I think he’s probably gutted about the fact he’s annoyed Kim. But at the time he believed he was doing the right thing, as Joe always does. Let’s just hope that he can win her around in the New Year.’
That may be a tall order. It’s not just her grandson that Kim is pushing away. Sam only arranged the off-the-books dodgy shoot behind Kim’s back because he was as skint as… well… a Dingle!
He needed more money for Christmas time, and his wife Lydia (Karen Blick) reluctantly agreed to helm. This is a huge betrayal for Kim, who considered Lydia her bestie. ‘I am terribly fond of you’ she said. (That’s Kim speak for ‘I love you.’) And so she should! It’s a special kind of friend that brings Jason Donovan to the Woolpack to perform just for you!
But it was little consolation for Kim as she laid in the woods, alone and injured, after investigating poachers on her land that were only there because of Sam and Lydia. So Kim’s spending Christmas alone, isolated in Home Farm.
What about Joe? Is there any chance this tortured anti-hero will get his turkey and stuffing these year? Maybe, according to Ned. ‘Christmas is a strange one for Joe. Not only does he end up spending it somewhere a little different this year, that’s a tease as he’s out of his comfort zone for sure, but this Christmas there is also a nice happy piece of news for him.’
Does that mean Joe’s on the nice list this year? Hardly. We’re talking about a guy who tried to literally steal a kidney from his uncle Caleb (William Ash) to save his own life, with the help of the dastardly Doctor Crowley, who later blackmailed Joe into helping to con Kim.
Can’t wait for the next twist?
Hi, I’m Maisie Spackman, a Soaps reporter at Metro. I cover all the latest spoilers and gossip from Weatherfield to Walford.
If you want to stay up to date on the biggest storylines and news from your favourite cast members, sign up to our daily Soaps Newsletter.
From shocking twists to fan-favourite theories, it’s all in your inbox every morning.
And of course, let’s not forget Joe’s steamy affair with Dawn (Olivia Bromley) behind her husband Billy Fletcher’s (Jay Kontzle) back. But after learning his lessons and making a go of things with Dawn, maybe a bit of good news will finally help Joe settle down.
Whilst Joe’s Christmas seams bleak, his actor Ned is looking forward to a proper Crimbo. ‘I very much am looking forward to the break as I will be seeing some family members that I haven’t seen for a while. I’ll be getting to spend some time with my brother, who I don’t see that often. It’s going to be lovely.
‘We’re going to eat lots of food, drink lots of booze, and play loads of old video games.’
MORE: 28 Emmerdale spoiler pictures reveal Christmas drama as resident goes missing
MORE: Emmerdale legend hints at death in an ‘action-packed’ Christmas for Kim
MORE: Kim Tate lashes out after devastating death in Emmerdale and another shock looms
