Emmerdale villain Joe Tate was pushed out of a window in a vengeful act in Thursday’s episode.

In dramatic scenes, the character, played by Ned Porteous, was found in a heap outside after seemingly being shoved from the first floor during a surprise party.

Joe has been at the centre of a series of significant storylines during his on-and-off run on the soap.

He left the Yorkshire village in 2005 after 10 years before returning in 2017, but a year later he was seemingly murdered by nemesis Cain Dingle in a chaotic climax. 

To viewers’ shock, he made a second comeback at Christmas but has since been racking up the enemies, attacking two Dingles in a bid to get a kidney amid his dialysis treatment, while also having an affair with Dawn Fletcher.

His behaviour appears to have come back to bite him in Thursday’s episode as chaos unfolded at a birthday do for Lydia Dingle leaving Joe fighting for his life.

Emmerdale villain Joe Tate was pushed out of a window in a vengeful act in Thursday’s episode

In dramatic scenes, the character, played by Ned Porteous, was found in a heap outside after seemingly being shoved from the first floor during a surprise party (pictured)

And fans have gone wild with speculation as to who committed the act against Emmerdale’s most hated character. 

‘A part of me is thinking Kerry or Noah but I could be completely wrong.’

‘Really enjoyed tonight’s episode. True whodunnit set up, nicely done with a nod to the past (Tom King’s window). #Emmerdale’

‘I’m calling it It was Clemmie #Emmerdale’

‘Was he trying to clean the windows and slipped?’

‘I think I’m calling Lucas atm tbh’

‘Emmerdale! I think it’s Dawn or maybe even Clemmie but she’s little so I’m not sure how.’

‘I’m calling it out now, it’s Clemmie !’

And fans have gone wild with speculation as to who committed the act against Emmerdale’s most hated character

‘There’ll be a queue round the block of potential pushers of Joe’

‘What have you done Clemmie Reed’

‘My money is on Clemmie.’

‘He was dizzy from the spiked drink and fell himself’ 

Oliver Young first portrayed the figure in the Yorkshire village from 1995 until 2005 when he left the area with Zoe Tate and her daughter Jean. 

Ned reprised the character in 2017 but Joe was then believed to have been murdered by Cain in 2018, making his return to the role at Christmas six years later all the more shocking.

He’s been racking up the enemies ever since, attempting to take half-brother Noah Dingle’s kidney amid his dialysis treatment, before turning to Caleb as his next victim, even more sinister given he is a member of his family. 

The villain then disappeared before telling his victim over the phone: ‘It’s a work trip. Illinois this time of year is all just wind and rain.’

Joe has been at the centre of a series of significant storylines during his on-and-off run on the soap

He has racked up a host of enemies since his return to the soap at Christmas, many of whom attended Thursday’s party

During the evening, Joe interacted with a number of guests including Ruby Fox-Miligan,  played by Beth Cordingly (pictured, right)

Among his misdemeanours over the last few months has been his tryst with Dawn Fletcher (pictured, left) with whom he shared a dance

His behaviour came back to bite him in an episode which also saw Kim Tate (pictured, left), played by Claire King, warn Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley, right) that there could be a murder

Chaos unfolded at a birthday do for Lydia Dingle leaving Joe fighting for his life (pictured L-R: Cain, Caleb Milligan, Charity Dingle, Kerry Wyatt, Dawn, Billy Fletcher and Eric Pollard)

After Caleb asked him how he is feeling, Joe added: ‘Yeah, late night. How are they treating you?’

From his hospital bed, Caleb said: ‘Doctors are giving me a load of meds. I feel like a right druggie.’

Discussing a police investigation into the attack, he added: ‘They found the car; they’re dusting it for prints.

‘I want to talk to you when you get back though.’

In a bid to throw Caleb off the scent, Joe said: ‘Sure! I’m not sure how much help I can be. When I got there, whoever did that to you had gone… I’ve got to go for a meeting, but you take care of yourself, okay?’

It turned out Dr Crowley was in the room with Joe for the call and the ᴀssailant justified his contact with his victim, saying: ‘I think it would be odd to not check up on Caleb.’

The doctor responded: ‘He’s not your problem anymore. Shaun’s been released this morning pending an investigation and now we’re flying him to Thailand as requested. It’s not cheap.’

Joe said, ‘Money well spent. And my car?’, to which Dr Crowley replied, ‘Discreetly delivered back to Home Farm.’

Joe appeared to quit the village in heart-stopping scenes in April a whopping 30 years on from his soap debut, but returned once more in the same month

Needing a kidney, he tried to take Noah Dingle’s (right) before attacking Caleb and taking his in a shocking plot development

Ned made a shock return as Joe at Christmas six years after he was believed to have been murdered (pictured)

The key character (pictured, in 2018) has been at the centre of a series of significant storylines during his on-and-off run on the programme

Read More Iconic Emmerdale character quits village in heart-stopping scenes – 30 years on from soap debut

After hearing Joe’s plan to flee for god, the doctor said: ‘You’ve just had your op. You shouldn’t be travelling and not without trained medical staff.’ 

But the iconic character was hellbent on leaving the area, adding: ‘I’m aware of the risks. I can’t stay here. I’ve got medics waiting for me when I arrive in Dubai. Time to move on.’ 

A car was then shown driving Joe away from the village in what seemed to be the villain’s final exit from the soap.

But of course it was not the end for the pivotal character and Joe then had an affair with Dawn and even blackmailed her daughter, Clemmie.