Emmerdale's Joe Tate (played by Ned Porteous) finds himself in grave danger as he's kidnapped by Doctor Crowley (James Hillier). Fans will recall how the shady doctor secured Joe a new kidney after he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Upon discovering that Caleb Milligan (Will Ash) was a match, Crowley removed one of his kidneys without his knowledge and successfully carried out the transplant, saving Joe. Due to his dire need of a transplant, Joe made plenty of enemies in the village. However, Ned, 30, believes his character did what he had to to survive.

Speaking exclusively to Express Online and other press, he said: "I like to believe that he's just doing what he has to do to survive and I think he would hold that mirror up to everyone and say what would you do if your life depended on it and could you really ask yourself that you wouldn't do that? Of course it's the wrong thing to do. It's completely unethical, it's immoral but he was fighting for his life and now he's having to pick up the scraps."Joe was convinced he got everything he needed and had seen the back of Crowley, however, the doctor returns and targets Joe next week.

Detailing the dangerous situation Joe finds himself in, Ned told Express Online and other press: "I feel like I've got the all clear, everything's going to be okay. I've made my final threats and everything's all done. But then he takes a shovel to the head.

"He wakes up in a rather suspicious location, very confused, very scared, not sure where he is. A very powerless situation for Joe to be in which he is not a fan of."

In a harrowing turn of events, a disorientated Joe awakens in a makeshift hospital room to a menacing Crowley looming over him. Despite the tense scenes, Ned admitted he was delighted to be reunited with James, who made his first appearance as Crowley in February.

Ned said: "We kind of knew on set because everyone knows how long you're going to be sticking around for, but it was a nice thing to see him around on set.

He continued: "He's a really lovely guy. I enjoy working with him and the character that he built is fun. It's got more dimensions than just a helper and I think it's cool. It serves as a very interesting character and hopefully the audience like what we do with it because it all gets a bit crazy."

The actor confessed he is "really proud" of the work he did alongside James and is excited to see how it plays out on screen.

Discussing the new vulnerable side to Joe that he has been portraying, Ned gushed: "It's always fun playing Joe, regardless of the status of the scene or who you're playing it with or what the storyline is.

"That's another great thing about the show, the fact that you get to play your character and use your weapon in any scenario. You get to play like you're in charge and like the world falling apart. It's been great either way.