Original Emmerdale star Frazer Hines has implored soap bosses to bring his character back from beyond the grave
The actor played Joe Sugden, from one of the original families introduced at Emmerdale’s conception in 1972, for twelve years before leaving the role to pursue other opportunities.
But now it seems that he wants his character to rise from the dead, à la Joe Tate, as his character’s body was never shown on screen, leaving the stage set for a return.
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Emmerdale spoilers: week 17 SLIDER
Emmerdale spoilers
David confides in Jacob about his secret preparations to propose to Maya with Val Pollard's old ring – leading Jacob, who has pawned the ring to pay off Liv, to panic.
Emmerdale spoilers
With Maya aware of David's plans, she decides she has to act. After she reluctantly agrees to go clubbing in nearby Hotten with David and the girls, she takes him aside to ask him not to propose.
Emmerdale spoilers
Devastated by Maya's rejection – and confused about how she knows his plan – David turns to Tracy for comfort.
Emmerdale spoilers
With both of them having had too much to drink, it's not long before they are kissing in the corner of the club, as Maya looks on.
Emmerdale spoilers
Furious, Maya storms out of the club, but later on one of the girls catches her in the act with Jacob. Is the game finally up for Maya?
Emmerdale spoilers
Meanwhile, Max senses that Billy is having second thoughts about using his van for the robbery when he gives him a flimsy cover story.
Emmerdale spoilers
But suspicious Ellis has caught wind of his brother's involvement in Max's crimes and sabotages the robbery – leaving Billy to fear what will happen next.
Emmerdale spoilers
Later on, Max visits Billy and Tall Trees and it's clear he's not there for pleasantries.
Emmerdale spoilers
Things soon turn nasty when Max threatens Billy and his whole extended family for ruining their plans for the robbery.
Emmerdale spoilers
The two of them descend into a vicious fight, and when Max nearly runs over Jessie has he makes his hasty getaway, she worries about Billy's involvement.
Emmerdale spoilers
As everyone starts to hear about the night out planned in Hotton, Ellis wants to get on board but, feeling on edge, Billy opts out.
Emmerdale spoilers
As they prepare for their night on the tiles, Amy tells Victoria that she should play hard to get, to keep Ellis on her feet.
Emmerdale spoilers
As Billy tries to relax at home, he receives a message from Max who has followed Ellis and his friends into town.
Emmerdale spoilers
Receiving a photograph of his brother, Billy realises that Max is threatening him and he leaps into action to get into town before it's too late.
Emmerdale spoilers
With their relationship already on the rocks, Rhona is hurt when she learns that Pete has been helping Kim to look for Jamie.
Emmerdale spoilers
But she's even more hurt when she realises that Pete has been confiding in Debbie, as she watches him leave their cottage from across the street.
Emmerdale spoilers
When Rhona finds out that Pete has told Debbie about her menopause, she's at the end of her tether, and accepts an invite to the night club to let off some steam.
Emmerdale spoilers
Still seething and determined to prove she's still young at heart, Rhona knocks back the drinks on the night out. Will she do anything she regrets?
Emmerdale spoilers
During a surrogacy meeting with Natalie, things take an unfortunate turn when Natalie brings up Aaron and Liv's criminal past.
Emmerdale spoilers
Determined to fight Aaron and Robert's cause, Faith corners Natalie in the Woolpack to convince her to change her mind.
Emmerdale spoilers
Laurel and Kerry come up with a naughty plan to take Laurel's councillor battle with Hilary up a notch.
Emmerdale spoilers
With Kerry and Daz having gone public with their break up, Amelia is struggling to cope.
Emmerdale spoilers
As she continues to lash out, Kerry does her best to reassure her that everything will be ok, as Harriet looks on.
“The fans always want me back. They say ‘Why don’t you come back for six months as a guest?’ And I would do that,” he told The Mirror online.
“I left Emmerdale because I got sick of going to work when it was dark and coming home when it was dark. I’d just got married and owned a stud farm, and so I said I would leave."
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“Then, 18 months later, I met the producer and he said ‘We are thinking of bringing you back in six months’ time.’
“And I said ‘Well, I’m doing this, that and the other.’ And he went ‘Well, if you don’t come back we’ll kill you off.’ So I said ‘Don’t kill him off, leave him in Spain.’ And they killed him off in a car crash.
“Fans say ‘because it was the Spanish police investigating, it might not have been your body’.
He added that he’d be happy to reprise his role as a smaller part, saying “I just don’t want to do five episodes a week, on a treadmill all the time. I have a great life."