Emmerdale legend stages comeback at last and has a big decision to make

Kim Tate (Claire King) was finally back in the Emmerdale village during tonight’s episode.

The beloved character has been away for what feels like forever. In July, Kim told Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) that she was going to Dubai to wrap up her remaining business, and wanted him to secure the Sugden farmland while she was gone.

Er, well that didn’t work.

Joe was determined to make Kim proud, but Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) refused to budge and give him Annie’s land. Instead, he joined forces with Butlers Farm and Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins), certain they could create a dynamic strong enough to destroy the Tates.

Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) was pretty stressed out in tonight’s episode of the ITV soap. Her nails were too loud (what does this even mean) and she had so much to do before her and Vinny Dingle’s (Bradley Johnson) wedding.

She took herself off to Mulberry Cottage to try and sort out seating arrangements, but couldn’t help focus on the fact her biological mum Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) and Kim so far weren’t planning on attending her big day.

A while later though, Gabby got a surprise when Kim rocked up.

Gabby asked why she hadn’t replied to the wedding invite, but Kim confirmed she had no intention of doing so – she wasn’t coming.

Kim’s decision was made because Gabby told Moira and Cain Dingle (Natalie J Robb and Jeff Hordley) about the Tate farm plan a few weeks ago. Gabby is marrying into the Dingle family, and proved her loyalty by letting Moira know that her business was at risk again.

It was a choice between the Dingles or the Tates but given Gabby is planning her future with a Dingle, it really wasn’t surprising that was the family she chose to support.

Kim was pretty blindsided by this move from Gabby and told her in The Hide that their relationship was no more.

A while later, Kim was on hand to support Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy), who had injured her ankle. Laurel used this moment as an opportunity for some good old fashioned emotional blackmail. She told Kim that Gabby loves her, and that it would really mean the world if she attended the wedding.

It was food for thought, but we know from spoilers for next week’s episodes that Kim will indeed turn up to Gabby’s big day.

And so does Bernice!

Amid the drama of her three mums all being in the same room, Gabby still doesn’t know that Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) is having doubts about their relationship and his sexuality.

He is continuing to tell himself and best friend Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) that his heart belongs with Gabby, but Vinny is struggling to wash the worry from his face.

‘I think she would really struggle with having had all this time and preparation for the wedding, why he didn’t feel he could speak to Gabby about it’, Rosie Bentham said, revealing how Gabby would react if she discovered Vinny’s secret.

‘It would obviously probably mean that the wedding doesn’t go ahead so quickly, it would throw a huge spanner in the works. But I think she would really feel for Vinny and feel for the struggle he’s going through. Because they were friends before, I think she would want to support Vinny in the best way she can.

‘Obviously having to sacrifice her wedding dream, but she’s been there before – Nicky was gay. I think it would open some wounds she was trying to heal.’

Rosie added: ‘Whether they get married or not I think there’s a lot that needs delving into, and some secrets that need to come out and need to be talked about. Whether they try to sweep things under the carpet or address it there and then, I hope Gabby gets her happy ever after. She does deserve it.

‘I think she needs someone who is really going to make her feel safe and secure. Hopefully she concentrates on being a mum to Thomas as well, and being a good businesswoman.

‘I think there’s a lot more to come in Gabby’s personal aspects as well.’