Wow. Did anyone see that shocking Joe Tate twist coming? We certainly didn’t…
Along with most of the country we thought that it would be Joe’s step-nana Kim Tate who would be meeting her maker this week.
Read more: Emmerdale fans have some head-scratching questions over Kim Tate’s return
But soap’s biggest bitch miraculously survived her horror fall – sorry, push – over the balcony at Home Farm, despite a champagne fountain breaking her fall.
And while Kim recovered in hospital it was poor old Joe who actually seemed to die in tonight’s dramatic episode.
Joe had headed back to the village after being handed a bag full of cash and a chance to get away by his snakey sidekick Graham, who couldn’t bear to follow Kim’s orders and bump Joe off.
But Joe couldn’t leave the love of his life Debbie without an explanation and walked all the way back to Emmerdale, ill-advisedly warning Graham of his return.
Unfortunately Kim saw Joe’s text as it popped up on Graham’s laptop and told her lover to do the job properly this time.
Graham – still filled with horror at the thought of doing in Joe who has been like a son to him – seemed to be given an easy route out when Cain Dingle spotted Joe heading back to Home Farm.
Furious with him for apparently jilting Debbie at the alter, Cain gave Joe one of his best knuckle sarnies.
But Joe fell and smacked his head on a rock, bleeding from the nose. A shocked Graham confirmed that Joe had no pulse, sending Cain into panic mode.
Graham promised to sort the mess but – as he bundled Joe’s dead body into his boot – he spotted Joe’s fingers twitching, suggesting he wasn’t as dead as he thought.
Read more: Ross Barton to die of an overdose in Emmerdale?
Mysterious Graham was then seen crying inconsolably in his car, suggesting he’d had to snuff Joe’s life out after all.
Fans of the ITV soap were left reeling by the shock twist, taking to social media in their droves to voice their disbelief.
If sexy Joe Tate is actually dead I am not gonna be happy!!!!! #emmerdale
— juice (@lucydolman) October 11, 2018
Erm … what happened to Joe Tate ?? Is he really dead ? #Emmerdale
— Talia Dean (@taliadean) October 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/katieguest01/status/1050465553800945669
https://twitter.com/NicoleDigance/status/1050465516928806915
So is Joe dead or? #Emmerdale
— Cirah (@Cirah_TV) October 11, 2018
Joe Tate dead ?… Kim Tate in a handful of episodes?… who’s going to be in home farm ?… so many questions #Emmerdale
— BenCabbageSullivan♿️ (@blsullivan85) October 11, 2018
Hope they haven’t killed Joe Tate off!! Was really starting to like him!! Also Ross!! He can’t be dead either!! Although he’s going out of it so I’m guessing he is dead!! Tense times!! #Emmerdale
— Annie Roberts (@AnnieRoberts_X) October 11, 2018
Where is joe???#Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/UPjGmeAtYL
— Joanne Mayhew (@plug_in_baby_x) October 11, 2018
SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!!!
Meanwhile some fans think that IF JOE REALLY IS DEAD his heart could be heading to save Sarah Sugden’s life…
Is Joe going to die, and his heart will go to Sarah? #Emmerdale
— Helen Grinter (@Helzz8) October 11, 2018
Is Sarah going to get Joe’s heart? #emmerdale
— Caitlin (@CaitlinRenouf3) October 11, 2018
#emmerdale Maybe Sarah could have Joe's heart…..
— Tracey Kyffin (@traceykyffin) October 11, 2018
Is Sarah going to get Joe's heart… #Emmerdale
— Meg (@meganlgrundy) October 11, 2018
Have Emmerdale really just killed off Joe Tate? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!
Emmerdale continues tomorrow at 7pm on ITV