It’s fair to say that epic soap crossover Corriedale delivered its most almighty shock to Emmerdale fans when Graham Foster made a return from beyond the grave. Driving with mysterious Jodie trapped in the back of a van, Graham stumbled upon his former boss Joe Tate, who had been left injured and unconscious in the roadside explosion.

To say there’s confusion surrounding Graham’s fate is an understatement, as we all remember the character was at the centre of a memorable ‘whodunnit’ storyline back in 2020.

Graham’s graphic final chapter showed him violently beaten, run over, pushed over a bridge and bludgeoned with a torch – and we have to say, he’s looking remarkably well, considering!

While we wait for answers over how Graham inexplicably survived his grisly death and apparent cremation, thoughts must turn to those who will be most affected by his comeback.

As we delve into what this all means, let’s also take a trip down memory lane and relive Graham’s last stint in the village.

Joe Tate

Graham met young pupil Joe when working at his school. Haunted by the guilt of causing the deaths of his wife and unborn child through drink-driving, alcoholic Graham tried to take his own life but Joe saved him.

Joe later hired a sober Graham, who became his father figure. When Kim Tate reclaimed Home Farm and demanded that Graham got rid of Joe, protective Graham instead paid Joe to leave, tricked Cain Dingle into thinking he’d killed Joe in a fight over Debbie Dingle, and blackmailed Kim to ensure Joe’s safety.

Since Joe’s return in 2024, it’s been hinted that he’s missing having hardman Graham around to fight any physical battles, so will he be thrilled to see him?

Well, as Joe is said to have mourned Graham, there’s sure to be fury on the cards first. Long-term, though, here’s hoping Graham brings out more of calculating Joe’s vulnerable side once the dust settles. That is, assuming Graham comes in peace and actually wants to make amends with Joe!

Kim Tate

Graham was once married to fiery Kim, and she often gave him orders to do her dirty work. Then he angered her by dating Rhona Goskirk. Graham lied to Kim about ending the romance, so Kim paid Al Chapman to kill Graham. While Al failed to do so, Graham’s body was found and Kim struggled with his ‘death’.

After so much double-crossing between them, how will Kim respond to the news that Graham’s demise was greatly exaggerated? These days, Kim has softened and is close to Joe, so perhaps she’ll want to shield her former step-grandson from Graham’s presence?

Or, having endured a difficult time lately, could this blast from the past push Kim over the edge – resulting in either a breakdown, or a quest for vengeance? And how does a brooding Graham feel towards Kim now?

Rhona Goskirk

Rhona thought she had found happiness with Graham, and they were planning a new life in France. She was heartbroken over his death, so you’d think Rhona would be among those reeling over Graham’s revival. Yet we can’t help noting a recent suspicious moment that could turn everything on its head.

Amid the disappearance of her stepdaughter April Windsor, who was exploited by Ray Walters, Rhona made a furtive phone call, asking someone if they had “done it”. What if Rhona is the only villager aware that Graham is alive, and he’s who she was talking to? And with Ray turning up dead, has Graham got anything to do with it?

Whether any of Rhona’s old feelings for Graham will resurface remains to be seen, but might she actually be using Graham as payback for what his ‘demise’ put her husband Marlon Dingle through? Or was that phone call a major red herring?

Let’s revisit that turbulent time…

Marlon Dingle

Long before Marlon and Rhona reunited and wed after many years apart, Rhona left Marlon deeply upset with the revelation that she was taking their son Leo to live abroad.

Marlon went head-to-head with Graham, and the usually gentle giant Marlon did himself no favours when he threatened Graham, as he was soon wrongly imprisoned for killing him.

Marlon spent weeks behind bars, before it was finally revealed that Rhona’s abusive ex-husband Pierce Harris was the guilty party.

We can only imagine how Marlon will feel about the bombshell that Pierce didn’t bump Graham off – in fact, no one did. Will he want to make Graham pay, or is Marlon going to be too weary from the late Ray’s reign of terror, and becoming a suspect all over again?

Jai Sharma

Graham made another enemy when he discovered that fellow addict Jai had cocaine in his car, and confronted him for driving under the influence. When Graham swiped the drugs and told Jai’s then-partner Laurel Thomas about his relapse, Jai was out for blood – and he hasn’t mellowed all that much in the years since this incident.

While Jai is set for a surprise arrest over Ray’s death, we’d still expect him to cross paths with Graham and call him out with a snide comment or two. Let’s face it, no one holds a grudge quite like Jai, even if his petty efforts often get him nowhere!

Charity Dingle

When Charity’s son Ryan Stocks went back on a deal to double-cross Kim, an incensed Graham locked Ryan in a shed! Charity nearly mowed Graham down for his cruelty, and a tense showdown ensued.

Currently pregnant with Ross Barton’s baby, who she’s hoping to pass off as the biological child of her granddaughter Sarah Sugden, Charity has enough high drama to come, and could simply let Graham’s return pass her by. But that’s not the Charity we know, and hell hath no fury like a Dingle in need of a distraction – and with an eye for revenge.

Robert Sugden and Nicola King

Remember when this scheming pair preyed on Graham’s relapse to con him, only for Graham to rumble their ruse and leave them high and dry?

Well, Robert may have other things on his mind after Corriedale, while Nicola is busy running the café and revelling in local gossip. Still, somehow we reckon the knowledge that Graham is back might just refresh their memories!

Yes, Robert and Nicola are likely small fry for Graham, but we don’t know exactly what he’s got planned for Emmerdale village this time around, and it would be remiss of us to gloss over these tamer rivals of his. Will Graham make Nicola and Robert squirm?