An EastEnders announcement may have revealed the future of an Emmerdale villain amid recent speculation that Joe Tate could be killed off on the ITV soap very soon
Fans of Emmerdale may be seeing plenty more of Joe Tate despite a theory he will be killed off(Image: ITV)
Fans of Emmerdale may be seeing plenty more of Joe Tate despite a theory he will be killed off.
Following a major soap announcement, it could tease whether actor Ned Porteous is remaining on the ITV soap or not. EastEnders revealed the big news on Saturday that Mark Fowler Jr was heading back to the show after he left in 2016.
He will join his sister Vicki Fowler in Walford, as well as the Mitchells – while it’s yet to be explained how he ends up being linked to the Brannings. Stephen Aaron-Sipple has taken on the role, already debuting in a mystery flashforward scene earlier this month.
But the last time we saw Mark 10 years ago, the role was played by Emmerdale actor Ned, before Ned swapped soaps and took on the role of Joe a year later in 2017.
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The fact that Ned’s EastEnders character has been recast could possibly tease that he has no plans, currently, to return to the show. This could suggest that Ned is very much staying with Emmerdale, and won’t be leaving despite the recent theory.
Fears sparked after Joe turned sinister once more. Fans know that vile Joe is blackmailing the Sugdens for their farm, after he watched and filmed Victoria Sugden killing her brother John Sugden. She had not meant to kill him, but attacked him after he turned on her.
Joe has since allowed Moira Dingle to be framed for Celia Daniels’ crimes, in a bid to get her farm too. Fans have questioned if Joe crossing the Sugdens and the Dingles will lead to a grim fate for the character.
One theory read: “Anyone else think this latest storyline with wanting to set Moira up is going to lead to him being killed off and another whodunnit? When the truth inevitably comes out, I think people will be annoyed at Robert initially.
“But once he explains to Cain and Moira why, they’ll eventually understand (we know Moira is also quite protective of Victoria) and anger will soon turn to Joe. And to be honest, almost everyone in the village will be a suspect.”
Another fan said: “I think he could be killed off because he’s already had a whodunnit and survived and then all the bad things he’s done, he’s got away with it all. His latest stuff is so evil I can’t see him being redeemed from it.
“So I definitely think someone will want revenge. I feel like they want us to think Robert or Aaron or even Victoria would be involved, maybe Moira or Cain too, but what if in a twist of all twists its Graham who ends up killing him? Or Kim, given she wanted him dead the last time.”
As for EastEnders, new Mark actor Stephen shared: “Having grown up in East London, EastEnders has been in my life since childhood and I’m excited to be joining not one, but two iconic Albert Square families! I’m looking forward to viewers seeing why Mark is back, and what Walford has in store for him.”
Executive Producer Ben Wadey also had his say, teasing what was ahead. He said: “We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Aaron-Sipple to EastEnders and bring Mark back to Albert Square. Viewers had a glimpse of Mark in the New Years Day flashforward episode, with the circumstances around his upcoming involvement with the Brannings set to unfold throughout the year.”
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