Joe Tate returned to Emmerdale tonight and was revealed to be behind Will

and Peter’s plot to bring down Kim Tate. Kim also had an accident on her horse and was taken to hospital.

So, with the odds stacked against her, is someone finally going to get the better of Kim Tate? And is she leaving Emmerdale?

Joe Tate returns

After the shock return of Joe Tate to Emmerdale, there is plenty of drama to look forward to. He is the man pulling the strings of the plot to topple Queen Kim, and Will is just a pawn in his game.

But what is his game? Well, we don’t know much, but we know Kim won’t be happy to see him!

Of his comeback to Emmerdale, actor Ned Porteous, who plays Joe, said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Emmerdale. There’s a lot of unfinished business for Joe, and it feels like the right time for him to make a comeback.

“Joe has always been a character with a dark side, but there could be something much bigger at play here. Joe is back for a reason, and the devastation at Home Farm is just the beginning of a much bigger story. It’s safe to say the audience can expect fireworks this holiday season!”

Kim Tate’s accident in Emmerdale

With Kim and Will planning to renew their vows on Christmas Day, all the family around them and poorly Evan home for Christmas, Kim Tate seems to be ready for a very happy Christmas. She seemingly doesn’t know Will is plotting against her.

Tonight (Tuesday December 24) saw Kim go out for a ride on her horse Ice. But Ice was spooked and reared up. He threw Kim from his back and wandered off alone.

When Will spotted the horse and then saw a lifeless body in the next field, he realised something awful had happened to Kim.

He called an ambulance and – lo and behold – realised he loved her and he no longer wanted revenge. But it’s a bit too late to stop the revenge plot. Oh dear.

Christmas Day at Home Farm

As Christmas Day dawns, we are given a flashforward to what has happened at Home Farm. There’s eerie music playing, the Christmas tree is on its side and there has obviously been a struggle.

Who has been the victim? Is Kim dead? Has she offed Joe Tate as soon as he returned? Has Will met his maker? Or have Dawn, Billy or the kids been caught in the crossfire?

We don’t know yet and it’s got us rather concerned that Kim Tate might be on her way out of Emmerdale.

Is Kim Tate leaving Emmerdale?

Although nothing is certain, we know that actress Claire King has told us Kim isn’t celebrating New Year’s Eve with the rest of the villagers. She told Emmerdale Insider and other media: “All I know is that I don’t think we go to the Woolpack New Year’s Eve do. I manage to get out of those.

“I was too busy on another set, but I won’t say which one because it might give something away.”

So, it looks like Kim’s not in a great state, but as Claire was still filming, fortunately still alive!

Claire also teased the return of evil Kim: “She’s been nice for three years, really. It’s kind of ‘Zzzzzz. Hi kiddies! Come on, Granny takes you!’ It’s like, ‘Ugh! I want to kill someone!’”

So could the return of bad Kim signify she’s not leaving at all?

One thing’s for sure, we are really looking forward to Christmas in Emmerdale this year!