After a fire was started on Robert Sugden’s farm, owned by the Tates, on Emmerdale, fans were sure it was Joe Tate – but now a new theory suggests a different culprit
14:59, 21 Apr 2026Updated 15:07, 21 Apr 2026
After a fire was started on Robert Sugden’s farm, owned by the Tates, on Emmerdale, fans were sure it was Joe Tate(Image: ITV)
In a recent Emmerdale episode, someone set fire to a barn on Robert Sugden’s farm – but it might not have been Joe Tate.
Fans of the ITV soap were initially convinced Joe was the fire starter, due to the smug look he gave Robert after the flames were put out. But now there’s a new theory that someone else is out to get Robert.
Moira Dingle had returned to her old farm and home after leaving prison last week, and was chatting to Robert and her son Matty. Joe soon interrupted them and moments later, they could all smell burning.
As they raced outside they find one of the barns ablaze. As they tackled the flames, luckily they were able to put the fire out as Joe watched on, not helping them at all.
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In a recent Emmerdale episode, someone set fire to a barn on Robert Sugden’s farm(Image: ITV)
As they questioned who could have done it, Joe tried to imply it was someone taking action against Moira. With Moira and Robert very clearly concerned, fans were wondering if Joe was the cause.
Now a new theory could see someone else exposed as the fire starter. Taking to social media, fans speculated Joe was too obvious, and that it could be someone else, while doing it on Joe’s behalf.
Another suggestion is that it’s someone linked to Joe, but it has nothing to do with him. A fan said: “Is it Graham working on Joe’s behalf?”
A second fan said: “I don’t know if it’s his style exactly, but maybe Graham?” A third fan added: “I don’t think it’s Joe this time.” Graham wasn’t the only one suspected, as fans wondered if it was Robert’s ex-husband Kev Townsend.
Did Graham cause the fire?(Image: ITV)
A suggestion said: “Isn’t Kev coming back into it?” echoed by another post that read: “I think it’s Kev back.” A further theory read: “I think it’s Kev.”
Another fan questioned: “Is it Sadie King?” It follows the initial theories that Joe was to blame. One fan theorised after the episode aired: “Am I the only one thinking Joe started the fire? Just find it sus that he walks in and not long after they smell the fire.”
Another agreed: “That was my thought,” as a third fan suggested: “I think he did it as a threat to Robert to not go to the police.” A fourth fan said: “Definitely him.”
A further theory read: “Definitely – when will he get his comeuppance? So spiteful to Moira. Think it’s time for revenge for all his bad behaviour which has ruined many lives.”
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