Shock Emmerdale exit as villain's disturbing plot against Kim Tate takes terrifying twist

The Sun

17-07-2025

EMMERDALE has aired a shock exit for villain Dr Crowley as his plot for Kim Tate took an unexpected twist.
The doctor - who is played by actor James Hillier in the ITV soap - has been driven out of the village after trying to blackmail Joe into helping him steal money from millionaire Kim.
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He planned to have Joe drug her, and then transfer the money from her accounts to his before fleeing - but Kim had other ideas.
However as Crowley thought he had the upper hand with a paralysed Kim forced to tell him her bank details, he really had no idea who he was dealing with.
As he leaned in to try and hear what she was saying more clearly, Kim stabbed him with his own needle and revealed her own plan.
While Joe had before been trying to find a way out of it - he did and realised that he could just tell Kim the truth and ignore Crowley's blackmail.
He filled her in and she did what she did best and took matters into her own hands.
With Shaun already well-aware of just how dangerous Kim could be, she made him realise that he should be on her side.
And when he got Crowley into Home Farm, it was all at Kim's behest.
Drugged on the bed, Kim interrogated Crowley before giving him a chilling warning.
She told him: 'If you even try to mess with us again, they'll never find your body. Nothing personal, it's purely business.'
Later, still shaken, Kim took Joe to task after he ensured Crowley and Shaun was out of their lives for good.
Emmerdale villain returns to torture Joe Tate in grisly scenes
'Kim I am so sorry,' he told her.
'He drugged me, I was terrified. I've never been so helpless in my life. I would never have let him hurt you.'
But Kim told him: 'I'm sorry Joe but I'm struggling to believe a single word you say anymore.'
Darkest soap storylines
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...
EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca's adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap's first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it's not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn't.
You brought him into our lives and once again it's me who had to pay the price. The first man I met after Will. I let my guard down and look what happens. It took a long time for me to trust you and now we're back at square one.'
'This will never happen again,' said Joe, promising to rebuild their trust.