Emmerdale fans are certain a soap icon is set to return to the village.

Kim Tate (Claire King) has been a cornerstone of the enduring soap since 1989 – and as the scheming matriarch of the village, she has featured in numerous major plotlines.

From her romances in the Dales to staging her own demise, her stint on the programme has been packed with drama throughout the years.

Currently in the Dales, she recently left former step-grandson Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) livid after he discovered Kim intends for Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) to inherit Home Farm upon her death.

An enraged Joe then schemed to frame Lydia for theft from Kim, believing Kim would strike her from the will. Nevertheless, Joe chose against executing the scheme and in Friday’s episode (March 20) Joe revealed to Kim that he was aware of the will, reports the Express.

He continued by expressing how Home Farm is the sole location that truly connects him to his family and was heartbroken by her choice. Yet a determined Kim refused to reconsider.

She clarified that she wishes Lydia to receive the estate because son Jamie Tate (Alexander Lincoln) and other family members would be furious if she bequeathed it to Joe.

Following Jamie Tate’s reference in the recent episode, supporters are forecasting his soap return. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one viewer commented: “Jamie Tate mention.” Another contributed: “Is his return looming?” A third wrote: “I think he might come back to help Kim get rid of Joe and Graham.”

Jamie first graced the soap in 1996 and was last spotted on screen in 2021, portrayed by Alexander Lincoln, after staging his own demise in a car accident.

Believing her son had died, Kim was left in the dark as Jamie secretly relocated to live with his daughter Millie and her grandmother.

During his time in the village, Jamie notoriously poisoned his mother Kim, tired of her manipulative and interfering behaviour. However, she discovered his scheme and subsequently disowned and disinherited him.