Get the latest OK! breaking news on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More infoJoin us on WhatsApp Emmerdale fans were left stunned when they found out that actor Ned Porteous, who plays Joe Tate, had previously appeared in EastEnders. As regular viewers of the ITV soap will know, Joe made a shock return to the village on Christmas Day, all while concealing a serious health issue. Earlier this week, Joe disclosed that he is suffering from chronic kidney disease and is urgently looking for a suitable organ donor. Despite his worsening health, Joe has been secretly seeing Dawn Fletcher (played by Olivia Bromley) and is also blackmailing GP Manpreet Sharma (portrayed by Rebecca Sarker) after she posted adult content online. After discovering that his half-brother Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) wasn’t a match, Joe has now turned his attention to his half-uncle Caleb Milligan (William Ash). Instead of seeking an organ donation through legal means, Joe appears to be scheming to obtain Caleb’s kidney illicitly.
Ned Porteous appeared as Mark Fowler Jr in EastEnders
(Image: BBC)
As Joe’s dark health storyline continues to unfold on Emmerdale, some fans have been surprised to learn that actor Ned once starred in EastEnders as Grant Mitchell’s (Ross Kemp) son. Back in 2016, Ned was cast as Mark Fowler Jr, the son of Michelle Fowler and hard man Grant, and the nephew of the late Martin Fowler (James Bye), reports the Mirror. Mark Jr’s unexpected arrival happened when he travelled from Florida to London to find his biological father Grant, but his visit was brief. Back in 1995, Albert Square waved goodbye to Michelle Fowler (played by Susan Tully) as she jetted off to America, keeping schtum about her bun in the oven courtesy of Grant Mitchell. Fast forward to 1996, and baby Mark Jr was born away from our screens. Two decades on, he rocked up in the Square, on a mission to uncover his family secrets. But Mark’s East End adventure was a fleeting one; after a mere month, he packed his bags for the States, dodging the infamous Mitchell family shenanigans.
Grant and his son Mark in EastEnders in 2016
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
“Being part of two iconic families and the longest kept secret in EastEnders’ history is beyond exciting!” gushed Ned when he joined the cast. “I’m honoured to be here and can’t wait for viewers to meet Mark Jr.” Meanwhile, Emmerdale fans have been left gobsmacked on social media after piecing together that Ned, who plays Joe Tate, once strutted around Walford as Mark Fowler. One surprised viewer posted on Facebook: “I never knew that the actor who plays Joe played Mark Fowler in EastEnders in 2016.” Another fan piped up: “I didn’t know that Joe [has] been in Bridgerton, and EastEnders as Mark Jnr.” Over on X, formerly known as Twitter, someone else dropped a comment: “Didn’t know the actor that plays Joe was in #eastenders #emmerdale.” And another fan couldn’t hide their shock: “How have I only just found out Joe Tate in #Emmerdale is played by the same actor that played Mark Fowler Jr in #EastEnders”. In other news, the buzz around Vicki Fowler’s anticipated return to Walford has sparked some interesting speculation. One fan pondered on social media: “With Ned Porteous likely to have a shelf life as Joe, and Vicki Fowler being recast, will he be rehired as Mark Fowler? #Emmerdale #EastEnders.”
