Emmerdale fans are loving Ned Porteous’ fresh new look.
The actor reprised his role as Joe Tate last Christmas, and as he settled back into life at Home Farm, it became clear that Joe wasn’t in the best of health.
Viewers learned that he has AAT deficiency, a condition linked to chronic kidney disease. This disorder occurs when the blood has lower levels of AAT, a protein produced in the liver and transported to the lungs that acts as an important inhibitor in the body.
Having AAT deficiency puts someone at risk of developing serious health issues, including COPD, liver problems, and kidney complications.
For Joe Tate, this led him to take a morally questionable route to secure a kidney transplant. He hired a shady surgeon, Dr. Crowley (James Hillier), and needed to find a relative with a compatible blood type.
Since his family in the village wasn’t eager to help, Joe had to act secretly. In February, he drugged his brother Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) and took him to a private clinic. When Crowley confirmed Noah wasn’t a match, Joe left him by the roadside.
This dangerous act nearly resulted in a limo accident, as Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) swerved to avoid Noah. The limo ended up stuck on a frozen lake, and tragically, Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi), Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough), and Amy Wyatt (Natalie Ann Jameson) lost their lives as a consequence of Joe’s reckless decisions.
It’s safe to say Ned has had a hectic schedule playing Joe, but he managed to carve out a moment this week to wish Coronation Street a happy 53rd birthday.
In a social media video, Ned and co-star Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor) shared their affection for the show and expressed how much they enjoy being part of the cast.
While fans reminisced about their favourite Coronation Street moments, many couldn’t help but notice a change in Ned’s look he’s grown out his hair!
Fans couldn’t help but react to Ned’s new look. One X account, Rob Sugden Enthusiast, exclaimed, “Finally, Ned has hair!” prompting curiosity about which character they’re rooting for.
Cam added, “He’s finally grown his hair out,” while another fan likely not thrilled with Joe’s recent antics joked, “Joe is getting his hair back! This will make me like the man again…”
Ned had kept a shaved style since Joe’s return, whereas his earlier look featured a fluffy quiff. For viewers, this hair transformation ranks right up there with some of the show’s classic soap twists.
In recent Emmerdale episodes, Joe has been helping Dawn after her daughter Clemmie sent an indecent image to Carl, Nicola King’s (Nicola Wheeler) son. Since both children are under the age of consent, the incident was technically an offence, though neither fully grasped its seriousness.
Clemmie explained to Dawn that she sent the picture thinking it would make someone like her, leaving her embarrassed and unwilling to return to school.
Joe suggested sending Clemmie to an elite private school, believing a change of environment could help her. However, when Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) learned of the plan, he argued that Clemmie — a young girl who suffered severe neglect from her biological mother — would likely feel out of place among children from wealthy families.