Kim Tate’s son James returns to Emmerdale after 20 years as hunky actor Alexander Lincoln takes on vet’s role in his TV debut
James is returning to the village after he was last seen in 1999 as a toddler
KIM Tate's long-lost son James will arrive back in Emmerdale after 20 years away later this month as a hunky vet, The Sun Online can exclusively reveal.
The son of soap super-bitch Kim will be tricked into coming to the village after his mother buys into the vets and makes them offer him a job.
James was last seen in the village in 1999 as a toddler as his mum carried him into a helicopter after attempting to kill Chris Tate and steal all his money.
He will be played by actor Alexander Lincoln in his first major television role.
A source told The Sun Online: “James has been desperate to stay away from his mother for years.
“He’s under no illusions about what she’s like or what she is capable of and just wants to live his life free from her influence.
“Just like his aunt Zoe, James loves animals and he sees being a vet as his way of escaping his toxic family legacy.
“He’s horrified when he realises the lengths his mother has gone to to get him back into her life.
“She buys her way into the vets and engineers it so they offer James the chance at the perfect job for him.
“He can’t say no, but he will want to change his mind when he finds out his evil mum is his new boss.”
Viewers are going to see a different side of Kim when James arrives - she still has a heart hidden under her hard exterior.
They have watched in horror as she has casually tried to have her step-grandson Joe murdered, and tried to blackmail Cain Dingle into sex since returning to the village.
But soap fans will see some of the old Kim as she tries to rebuild her relationship with her son.
For his part, James is going to be a hunky heartbreaker in the village, but unlike his nephew Joe, he’s a decent guy underneath.
Emmerdale bosses searched for months to find the perfect actor to take on the role.
The insider added: “Alexander immediately impressed bosses who were on the look out for an actor worthy of playing the hunky Tate.
“It might even be a case of ‘Joe who?’ when fans see James arrive in the village.
“He’s definitely going to break a few hearts.”
An Emmerdale spokeswoman has been contacted for comment.
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