Graham Foster made an explosive return to Emmerdale in the ITV soap crossover Corriedale. The character’s identity was concealed for most of the episode as his face was covered with a black hooded jacket. He was spotted during the multi-vehicle collision between Hotten and Weatherfield, driving a van with a mystery woman named Jodie tied up in the back. His identity remained hidden until the end of the episode, where he was seen in hospital checking on Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), who had been injured in the crash.

Loyal fans of the soap will recall the pair’s history, with Graham (Andrew Scarborough) introduced as Joe’s right-hand man and became a father figure in his life. In 2020, viewers were devastated when Graham was seemingly murdered by Pierce Harris, the violent ex-husband of Rhona Goskirk. His death came after Pierce had been freed from prison, not long after he had struck up a romance with Rhona. Although Graham was pushed off a clip and bashed in the skull with a torch, he made it out alive and is officially returning.

Graham was “killed off” in 2020 (Image: ITV)

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But why has he returned? Sharing their theories on Reddit, many have speculated that Graham has come back to the Dales to help Rhona regarding her situation with Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths).

“I’m wondering if he has something to do with helping Rhona out,” one speculated as another agreed: “Yes! That is a good theory as her and Marlon don’t seem to be on the same page with whatever they are hiding.”

A third echoed: “Graham would of gone into hiding after Pierce but I bet he kept a close eye on Rhona all this time. Spotted the trouble going on and reached out and Rhona knows she can count on Graham. I’m looking forward to seeing this play out and hope Graham is coming back full time like Robert.”

But what does this mean for Rhona and Marlon? Could the couple face yet another setback following the return of Rhona’s former love?

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw teased: “His return will have massive repercussions for both Kim Tate, with whom he shares a complex love and hate relationship, and Rhona Goskirk who was about to run away with him.”

Rhona was prepared to give up everything and run away with Graham (Image: ITV)

Others have expressed confusion over how Graham has been brought back, considering his dead body was shown and an entire investigation was conducted.

One said: “I loved his character so I’m thrilled but also very confused. We saw his dead body, that had been left in the cold, in winter, dead for an entire night. A murder investigation happened, and that called for a full autopsy and proper identification… Pierce went to prison for the murder… So I just don’t get how they’re gonna get round this one…”

Another admitted they were torn between “being thrilled he’s back and utterly dumbfounded”, stating: “He was clearly dead. I know soaps have a habit of bringing people back from the dead, but it usually never happens when they die on-screen. Graham was smashed over the head, left to bleed out all night and then discovered in the morning when he was pale white and obviously no longer alive. Then his body was identified and his loved ones were informed. Then his murderer went to prison for the crime. This was 6 years ago.”

Offering an explanation, a third weighed in: “I suppose it could be spun as his death – as we saw it – being Pierce’s recollection as relayed to Rhona, rather than necessarily exactly what happened, but there’s no way that a full autopsy wasn’t performed on his body. Hard to see a way round that.”