Last week, Joe Tate finally got the kidney transplant he desperately needed, but fans have their theories on how his kidney theft will be exposed.
Deciding not to go down the conventional route, Joe opted to steal the vital organ he needed instead – as you do.
But fans don’t believe Joe will get away with the crime and have come up with some theories on how the truth will come out.
Joe Tate steals Caleb’s kidney in Emmerdale
In one of Emmerdale’s more ‘bizarre’ storylines, Joe Tate decided to steal his uncle Caleb’s kidney.
After returning to the Dales last year, it was soon revealed that Joe was seriously ill with chronic kidney disease and was in desperate need of a kidney transplant.
He originally drugged his half-brother Noah, but the plan to then steal his kidney failed due to Noah not being a match.
Along with his accomplice Dr Crowley, they next targeted Caleb Miligan. This time they ensured he was a match first by using Manpreet to illegally provide them with a vial of Caleb’s blood.
But getting Caleb to the private clinic proved more difficult. After an attempt to drug him failed, Joe ordered Shaun to stab Caleb instead.
Joe then transported an unconscious Caleb to the clinic, where Dr Crowley first had to try save Caleb’s life, and then perform the kidney transplant.
Caleb survived the ordeal, and although he knows he has lost a kidney, he has no idea of the ludicrous way it happened. Joe, meanwhile, escaped to Dubai. Emmerdale has confirmed that this isn’t the end of the story and that Joe ‘will get his comeuppance.’ But, just how will that happen?
Fan theories over how Joe kidney theft will be exposed in Emmerdale
1. Joe kidney theft to be exposed by Noah
On Reddit, some fans discussed if Noah will potentially remember more about the night he was drugged, leading to him knocking down Joe’s house of cards.
Another fan speculated if Noah himself has kidney problem: “Does Noah also have kidney issues? Could this be related to what Joe has? Like a genetic thing? I’m just wondering if it’s found out that Noah and Joe share this, then Caleb [is suspicious] about being a kidney down. Could this be how Joe is exposed as the phantom kidney stealer?”
2. Ross Barton will continue to dig
It’s no secret that there is no love lost between Joe and Ross. Ross has had his suspicions about Joe since he returned to Emmerdale and has been determined to find out what he is hiding.
This stepped up a bit when Kim Tate hired Ross to be the head of security at Home Farm. He later informed Charity that he’d been tracking Joe for years and showed her the tracking app.
Writing on X, one fan wrote: “I really hoped Ross and Charity would find Joe with that tracker. I’m so disappointed.” But other fans think it will still be Ross who discovers the truth. “OMG so Ross is going to recognise the Doctor!! And Joe took Caleb to the hospital!! It’s all going to come pouring out!!!!,” suggested a fan on Facebook.
3. Manpreet will put two and two together
On Facebook, some fans discussed Manpreet Sharma’s role in the kidney plot. Believing she owed Joe a favour, Manpreet illegally gave Joe a sample of Caleb’s blood. Will she be able to put the clues together?
“Does Manpreet have access to Joe‘s medical records because I’m wondering how long before she gets suspicious of Caleb losing a kidney and Joe‘s test sample request,” wrote one fan.
Another fan agreed that Manpreet will have a role in Joe being caught, and wrote: “1. He seriously can’t expect to get away with stealing Caleb’s kidney 2. Manpreet not to put two & two together over the bloods.”
4. Joe Tate to die
One fan had a wild theory, writing: “I don’t think he got Caleb’s kidney. The Dr is letting him think he’s got it so he gets his money. I think Caleb’s kidney was damaged in the stabbing so they couldn’t take his remaining good one else he’d have been left dead.”
Another fan had a similar theory, they wrote: “My theory is that Joe received Caleb’s damaged kidney and it’s going to fail… Divine Retribution.”
Others also think Joe’s body might reject Caleb’s kidney, resulting in a doctor discovering his recent operation. “I think Joe’s body is going to reject Caleb’s kidney and Joe ends up dying,” said one fan, while another added: “Wonder if he’ll reject it.”
