Emmerdale viewers believe a soap icon will return after four years to bring Joe Tate down in upcoming scenes.

Joe (Ned Porteous) made a dramatic return to the village in December, intent on settling scores with his step-grandmother, Kim (Claire King), who tried to get him killed six years prior.

Although Joe and Kim have since buried the hatchet, Joe’s presence has continued to stir up turmoil at Home Farm.

Earlier this year, Joe embarked on a clandestine romance with Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley), which resulted in her calling off her marriage to a devastated Billy (Jay Kontzle).

Billy later found out about the affair from his daughter, Clemmie Reed (Mabel Addison), who Joe blackmailed after she witnessed him kissing Dawn, reports Belfast Live.

Last week saw Joe’s temper flare when he discovered his pricey car had been vandalised.

He immediately suspected Billy, who has made no secret of his loathing for Joe since the affair with Dawn came to light.

After spotting signs of an intruder in his room, Joe confronted Billy at the depot, where he was chatting with workmate Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton).

“Are you gonna stop playing games? Cause it’s not funny… I’m warning you now in front of a witness, next time I won’t be so understanding,” Joe warned.

A frustrated Billy retorted: “Next time you come here and start threatening us, you’ll find yourself back in that wheelchair, only this time for good.”

“Maybe he’s due another accident,” Kerry ominously hinted, with Billy following up: “Yeah exactly. So, walk away, while you still can.”

The very next day, Joe recruited his sidekick Shaun (James Boyland) to intimidate Billy.

“I just want Billy put in his place for good… I just want you to teach him a lesson. Whatever it takes, within reason. I want him to be scared, scared enough to know that he can’t do whatever he wants all the time,” Joe elaborated.

As Shaun kept tabs on Billy at the depot, Joe found an unsettling anonymous message in his room, which read: “Don’t you think you can ever sleep easy. I’m watching you.”

In upcoming scenes, Joe is rattled when faced with an extortion note demanding a hefty £100,000 be left in Home Farm’s kitchen.

Joe subsequently cuts ties with Shaun, only to be knocked out cold by the dismissed aide. Joe later finds himself in a makeshift hospital setting with his kidney surgeon, Dr Crowley (James Hillier), ominously looming over him.

Now, several Emmerdale fans believe that a former soap star orchestrated the blackmail, with many suggesting that Jamie Tate (Alexander Lincoln) could make an anticipated return.

Kim’s son was last seen in the Dales in 2021 when he faked his own death in order to leave. Kim later found out that Jamie was alive, but he hasn’t reappeared in the village yet.

“Anyone think maybe it’s Jamie blackmailing Joe. He’s mentioned a few times he’s in contact with him,” one person wrote on a Facebook fan page.

Another added: “Ooh yes perfect return storyline for Jamie,” while a third said: “I’d love to see Jamie and Joe go head to head.”

Meanwhile, a fourth viewer suggested: “Think it could be the guy who Joe hired to get rid of Billy, but he’s really working for Kim.”