It looks like Joe Tate’s time in Emmerdale may be coming to an end, after the scheming businessman made a catastrophic mistake — and his uncle Caleb Miligan was right there to see it. In true Dales fashion, the accident may have been unintentional, but the fallout could destroy Joe’s life for good.

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The Build-Up: Tension, Anger, and a Costly Mistake

In the lead-up to the shocking scenes, tensions were already high between Joe and Jimmy King. Joe was furious after overhearing Jimmy downplay Carl King’s behaviour in the disturbing storyline involving Clemmie Reed, who had been manipulated into sending an indecent image.

Unable to bite his tongue, Joe confronted Jimmy in the pub, threatening him with a chilling line — that “justice can come in many forms.” Those words would come back to haunt him just hours later.

Driving along a country road in his Porsche, Joe became distracted when Dawn Taylor called him. Taking his eyes off the road for a split second, he looked up to find someone directly in his path. He swerved, but it was too late — he hit Jimmy.

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Caleb Witnesses Everything

As Joe rushed out of his car in horror, he realised just how bad things looked. He had publicly argued with Jimmy, threatened him in front of witnesses, and now stood over him on the road after the collision.

But the nightmare got worse — Caleb Miligan (William Ash) was nearby and saw everything.

When Joe later tried to reason with Caleb, hoping his uncle might help him cover things up, Caleb’s reaction was chilling. Instead of sympathy, he saw opportunity.

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Caleb’s Ruthless Revenge

Caleb reminded Joe of their messy history — including the time Joe stole Caleb’s kidney earlier this year. Though the two had kept each other’s secrets since then, the power dynamic has shifted dramatically.

Joe tried to threaten Caleb with the knowledge of Anthony Fox’s death, but Caleb wasn’t fazed. Smirking, he made it clear that Joe was now under his control.

“If you tell the police about Anthony,” Caleb warned, “I’ll tell them this hit on Jimmy was deliberate.”

Caleb then set a cruel ultimatum: the police are due at the depot by midday tomorrow, and Joe has until then to decide how much his freedom is worth.

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Will Joe Be Arrested — or Flee the Village?

The ITVX episode has left fans reeling. With Jimmy in hospital and Caleb holding all the cards, Joe’s options are rapidly running out. He’s trapped between a possible prison sentence and blackmail from a man who’s always one step ahead.

Could Caleb finally exact revenge by turning Joe in? Or will Joe take matters into his own hands and disappear from the Dales before the police arrive?

Either way, with his freedom — and perhaps his life — hanging in the balance, Joe Tate’s future looks sealed.