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What happened to Jean Tate in Emmerdale as shock Dales return 'exposed'

Many Emmerdale fans are convinced that Jean Tate has returned to the village, but under a different name

[Emmerdale]

Jean Tate left the village in 2005(Image: ITV/YouTube)

A number of Emmerdale viewers believe that a major character has returned to the Dales.

ITV soap viewers will know that DS Thea Ramsden (played by Chelsea Edge) recently arrived in the village, as she began investigating the death of Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker).

It was soon revealed that Thea is very close friends with newcomer Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy), with the detective even asking her friend to help her get dirt on the Tates.

"Joe isn't the devil. Kim is. She's the one that I need to cut off at the knees," Thea said to Serena at the end of Monday's (August 17) episode.

"This is our only chance, Serena. Get me what I need on Kim Tate, so I can finally take her down."

[DS Ramsden in Emmerdale]

Some fans believe that DS Ramsden is hiding her true identity(Image: ITV)

After watching the tense scene, many Emmerdale viewers shared their theory that Thea was actually Jean Tate, who left the village as a young child back in 2005.

"Could DS Ramsden be Jean Tate? Revenge on Kim.. but not going after Joe.. interesting," one person wrote on a Facebook fan page.

Another added: "Now that would be a twist!" while a third said: "I always thought she'd come back one day."

Someone else commented: "I thought this too. Thea could be a middle name."

As fans continue to share their theories online, here's everything you need to know about Jean Tate.

What happened to Jean Tate?

[Emmerdale]

Could the new detective secretly be Jean?(Image: ITV)

Jean is the daughter of Zoe Tate (Leah Bracknell) and Scott Windsor (Ben Freeman), which makes her Joe Tate's (Ned Porteous) first cousin.

Jean was conceived during Zoe and Scott's one-night stand, with Zoe having no recollection of sleeping with Scott due to her schizophrenia. Their baby was born in 2003, with Zoe deciding to bring her daughter up on her own.

Many soap viewers will remember Zoe's schizophrenic breakdown back in 2004, which led to her barricading herself inside Home Farm with baby Jean and Joe, and accidentally starting a fire. Scott later took custody of Jean, as Zoe recovered.

In 2005, Zoe wanted a fresh start away from the village, so moved to New Zealand with Joe and Jean, who has not been seen since.

Could Thea secretly be Joe's cousin Jean? And what does she have against Kim? We'll have to wait and see.

Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX

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