ITV Emmerdale fans 'rumble' what is 'wrong' with soap character

Since Joe Tate returned to Emmerdale, fans have speculated the reasons behind his sudden appearance. Theories expanded on Friday's (January 10) episode after viewers saw Joe sprawled across the bedroom floor.

Joe Tate made his return to the village, six years after a savage exit from his head slamming into a rock after Cain Dingle attacked him. Although fans originally assumed he had concocted some sort of revenge plan against Kim Tate, new theories have arisen thanks to an episode where Joe frantically searched for medication in his bag as he struggled to breathe.

In tonight's episode we watched as Joe teased Dawn about their secret kiss - one she was determined her husband Billy wouldn't find out about. As the episode progressed, Joe continued to flirt with Dawn and as she considered going to his room she changed her mind and turned around before knocking on.

Inside the bedroom, his bags were once again scattered across the bed with various medications lay out on the sheets. There was a sudden gasping for air noise coming from the room, and the camera panned to Joe leaning upright against the bed, unable to breathe.

Viewers witnessed Joe clutching his hands, and his eyes rolled back clearly in discomfort and pain. Of course, there was no definite answer as to what was wrong with him, but with Dawn almost walking in on him could the answer be revealed fairly soon?

In the mean time, fans have taken to social media to try and work out what could be wrong. On X (formerly known as Twitter), @XDanielMooreX asked: "Can anyone explain what was wrong with Joe at the end of tonight’s episode?"

@mishybabez_ wrote: "What was up with Joe? He looked like he was having some sort of seizure" and @CariadGomez joked: "So, are we taking