Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) returned to Home Farm at the end of yesterday’s episode of Emmerdale, allowing Kim and Joe Tate (Claire King and Ned Porteous) to discover he’s actually alive.

The fact the character was never murdered by Pierce Harris in 2020 was confirmed earlier this month, when Graham appeared in the Corriedale crossover episode.

He then featured in a flashback episode last week, allowing us to discover he paid a visit to Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) just before getting on the road with Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances-Brown) in the back of his van.

Graham had been contacted by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and was asked to dispose of a problem, but he changed his mind about doing the job when he learnt that Ray had been taking advantage of vulnerable people, including April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan). He found Rhona and told her that he would sort Ray out.

In the village hall, Graham had every intention of killing Ray, but his plan changed when Joe wandered in after hearing the commotion outside.

He hid behind a curtain, and then made a run for it.

Finding Graham in the vets yesterday was the first Rhona had seen of him since the beginning of January. He started chatting to Rhona, but was once again forced to hide when Joe arrived.

As Joe chatted to Rhona about recent events with Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) and Ray, he – surprisingly – spoke quite honestly about how much his family means to him. This was difficult for Graham to hear, especially when Joe mentioned the relationship he has with Kim.

This prompted Graham to head to Home Farm. Today’s episode of the ITV soap focuses entirely on Kim and Joe’s reactions to the fact Graham is alive, and suffice to say things are very tense.

The scenes involving Joe are particularly powerful, as we don’t often see this character in an emotional state. His grief suddenly reaches the surface again, as Joe explains what happened when he learnt Graham had been brutally murdered.

Given the fact it’s been six years since we last saw Graham, it’s very possible you don’t know a great deal about the relationship he has with Joe. For any new fans, you’ll be forgiven for assuming Graham is Joe’s dad – but that isn’t the case.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Are Graham and Joe related in Emmerdale?

Graham and Joe are not blood relatives. Joe’s father is Chris Tate, who he lost when he was a child.

When Graham arrived in the village in 2017, we discovered he had been employed by Joe, who was using the alias Tom Waterhouse as the time. He was in town to help Joe get back at the Dingles, for their part in Chris’ death.

Despite their turbulent relationship, Graham has always been Joe’s primary father figure and guardian. Prior to his ‘death’ in 2020, Graham was the closest person to Joe. He was a mentor, assisted in managing his affairs, and even helped Joe leave the village in 2018.

What happens in Emmerdale today?

As expected, Joe unleashes a lot of anger at Graham as he wonders why on earth he pretended to be dead for six years.

He then breaks down as he recalls the moment he learnt about Graham’s ‘death’, and the horror that followed after. He says that in the initial aftermath, he had never felt so alone.

Under the impression Graham came back for him, Joe’s heart gets broken even more when he learns his father figure was in the village days before the Corriedale crash with Rhona, and never bothered to go and see him.

Graham also goes up against Kim Tate. He takes pleasure in reminding her that they’re still technically married, which leaves Kim convinced he’s only back to try and get some of her assets.

What does the future hold for Graham? Will the Tates forgive him for his deception? Will he be able to worm his way back into the fold? Andrew Scarborough thinks so.

‘Well, I think if Kim Tate can forgive Joe for harvesting an organ she can forgive Graham for coming back from the dead. And if he helps matters by proving himself by fixing some things for them, they will appreciate his skills and his loyalty. But it might take some months.’