Major Emmerdale star makes shock return after six years – and they’re back for good

EMMERDALE has given fans a Christmas treat today with the surprise comeback of village hunk Joe Tate.

Actor Ned Porteous has officially reprised his role as scheming Joe as he is unmasked as the secret villain looking to destroy step-grandmother Kim Tate.

Viewers know someone had been orchestrating a plot to relieve Kim of her millions and her family

Setting up a Christmas Day clash, he says in today’s episode: “I think it’s time we paid Kim a little visit. 

“No better time than Christmas for a family reunion.”

Actor Ned quit the soap back in 2018 after a year playing scheming Joe. 

He was run out of town by Kim when she was released from prison and she reclaimed her empire from Joe.

Now bosses have brought him back for a war of the Tates storyline in a bid to rebuild the iconic family in the ITV soap.

A source said: “Ned’s return has been a closely-guarded secret. 

“Bosses launched a full-scale operation to keep it from leaking, sneaking him in and out of the building, giving him a code name and keeping his return to Leeds a secret. 

“But now he’s back full-time and it’s a huge Christmas treat for fans.

“The drama is only just beginning.”

And The Sun can reveal that Ned is back full-time as Joe to cause as much chaos as possible.

Joe’s return can be watched on ITVX now and will air tonight on ITV at 7pm.

Fans had been convinced Joe was returning ever since the plot against Kim began but until now it hadn’t been confirmed.