Emmerdale fans left stunned as show star's surprising EastEnders connection is revealed
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Emmerdale fans were left stunned as Joe Tate made a dramatic return to the village after a six-year absence. The character, played by Ned Porteous, 30, resurfaced as part of a plot to overthrow Kim Tate, played by Claire King, 63, and her husband Will Taylor, played by Dean Andrews, 61.
![[The character, played by Ned Porteous, 30, resurfaced as part of a plot to overthrow Kim Tate, played by Claire King, 63, and her husband Will Taylor, played by Dean Andrews, 61]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/12/01/94001431-14274933-The_character_played_by_Ned_Porteous_30_resurfaced_as_part_of_a_-a-39_1736646946611.jpg)
However, as Joe took centre stage in the soap, some viewers were shocked to discover that Ned had previously appeared in EastEnders as Grant Mitchells son. In 2016, Ned played Mark Fowler Jr, the son of Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell, 57) and hardman Grant, as well as being Martin Fowler's (James Bye, 40) cousin.
![[However, as joe took centre stage in the soap, some viewers were shocked to discover that Ned had previously appeared in EastEnders as Grant Mitchell's son]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/12/01/94001419-14274933-image-a-34_1736646765439.jpg)
The character made a surprise entrance, travelling from Florida to London's East End in search of his real father, Grant. However, his stay in Walford was brief. Some die-hard EastEnders fans might have forgotten that Michelle Fowler once left the UK for America, keeping Grant unaware that she was pregnant with his child.
![[In 2016, Ned played Mark Fowler Jr, the son of Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell, 57) and hardman Grant, as well as being Martin Fowler's (James Bye, 40) cousin]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/12/01/94001421-14274933-image-a-35_1736646817145.jpg)
Emmerdale fans were left stunned as Joe Tate made a dramatic return to the village after a six-year absence. The character, played by Ned Porteous, 30, resurfaced as part of a plot to overthrow Kim Tate, played by Claire King, 63, and her husband Will Taylor, played by Dean Andrews, 61.
Mark Jr. was born off-screen in 1996, but it wasn't until 2016 that viewers saw him arrive in the Square to untangle the web of his paternal roots. Although his stint on EastEnders was short-lived - Mark Jr. was on-screen for just a month before returning to the US - Ned was thrilled to be part of the iconic show.
