Emmerdale hinted that Joe Tate may be caught out following his sinister schemes as Caleb Miligan’s fate was confirmed.

Joe has been searching for a kidney donor in recent weeks, teaming up with Dr Crowley as they scoured the village for a potential match.

After a plan to use half-brother Noah backfired, Joe settled on his uncle Caleb, with this week’s scenes seeing the plan come into motion.

Tragedy struck yesterday, however, when Joe ordered accomplice Shaun to stab Caleb, with Dr Crowley shocked at the development as he simply needed Caleb to be “unconscious, not half-butchered”. Nevertheless, he set to work trying to save Caleb’s life.

With Caleb in a critical condition on the operating table, Friday’s (March 28) instalment began with Crowley continuing to treat him, before removing his kidney.

Joe did show remorse for his actions as he prepared for the kidney transplant, asking Crowley if Caleb made it. At the same time, Ruby was anxious regarding her husband’s whereabouts, and soon received a dreaded call informing her of Caleb’s injuries.

Ruby and Steph eventually reunited with Caleb after he was taken to a proper hospital. Ruby told her husband that he’d been taken to a private hospital, but unfortunately the doctor hadn’t been able to save one of his kidneys.

Joe, meanwhile, woke from his own operation, tentatively brushing against his skin as he checked if the surgery was successful.

Ruby inadvertently bumped into Dr Crowley at the hospital, though the doctor wasn’t best pleased as he begrudgingly accepted a face-to-face with Caleb. After a police officer walked into the room, Crowley was faced with fear as she revealed that Shaun had been arrested.

Crowley informed Joe of the development, with the villain left pondering as to whether prison or potential repercussions from Caleb was the worst possible consequence of their actions…