Emmerdale’s Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) is battling a secret health issue it seems,

as his real reasons for returning to the village have been revealed.

Joe staged a comeback as part of a scheme to take down Kim Tate

(Claire King), who was responsible for his life imploding six years ago following her release from prison. Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) had a role to play in said scheme but on the day he was due to take revenge he realised that he was still very much in love with Kim and thus called the whole thing off.

By this stage, however, it was too late, with Joe arriving at Home Farm on Christmas Day to inform Kim of Will’s betrayal.

One thing led to another and, due to the stress of the situation, Will had a heart attack. Kim failed to act in time and Will subsequently died, with Joe by her side to offer support.

Kim was wary of Joe, who claimed that he harboured no ill will over what happened six years ago, telling the matriarch that she’s family.

But it seems that Joe isn’t being honest about his real reasons for returning to the village as, once away from prying eyes, he lost his confident demeanour and was seemingly in pain.

The businessman rushed to his bag and removed a lot of pills, swiftly swallowing one to ease the symptoms.

The question is: just what is up with Joe? Is he lying to Kim about wanting to reconnect with family? If so, what does he have planned for her?

And will anyone find out? Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) was certainly suspicious of Joe’s motives in returning so will he do some investigating?