“The Tate family have been on Emmerdale since the show’s 1989 relaunch, but what are the actors behind the characters doing now?”
The Tate family, a key part of Emmerdale since their first appearance in November 1989, have left a lasting mark on the soap.
Led by Frank Tate and including his son Chris, daughter Zoe, and wife Kim, the family was introduced during the show’s transition from Emmerdale Farm to simply Emmerdale. They brought drama, intrigue, and unforgettable storylines to the ITV series.
Kim, played by Claire King, is now the only original Tate still appearing on the soap. In recent episodes, the Home Farm owner has not been aligned with her step-grandson, Joe Tate. But what became of the other members of the Tate family?
Frank Tate – Norman Bowler
Frank, played by Norman Bowler, was the soap’s first major villain, infamous for his fiery temper and violent streak. Before Kim took over Home Farm, Frank was the one in control, according to OK!.
His character met a dramatic end in 1997 when the shock of Kim’s return caused a fatal heart attack, creating one of Emmerdale’s most unforgettable episodes.
After leaving Emmerdale, actor Norman Bowler devoted time to charity work in India alongside his wife, Dianne. Following her passing in 2012, Norman now splits his time between India and the UK.
Chris Tate – Peter Amory
Christopher ‘Chris’ Tate, the son of Frank and his first wife, Jean, was a central figure on Emmerdale. He had a turbulent relationship with his stepmother Kim, vowing revenge after discovering she had done nothing to save his father’s life.
However, Chris was ultimately no match for Kim, who left him hospitalised after striking him with a heavy paperweight. In 2001, he married his third wife, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), but their relationship was riddled with infidelity.
In a dramatic twist, Chris poisoned himself to frame Charity for his murder, with his character being written out of the show in 2003.
Off-screen, Peter Amory, who played Chris, has kept a relatively low profile, taking on smaller roles in TV dramas. Notably, he married his on-screen stepmother, Claire King (Kim Tate), in 1994. The couple divorced ten years later but are said to remain on friendly terms.
Leah Bracknell – Zoe Tate
Leah Bracknell is best known for her portrayal of Zoe Tate, Chris’s sister and the only daughter of Frank and Jean. She first appeared on Emmerdale in 1989.
Her character made history in 1993 by coming out as gay, becoming the first lesbian character in a British soap. Zoe left Emmerdale in 2006, and her exit was recognised with the Best Exit award at The British Soap Awards.
After leaving the show, Leah Bracknell was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in October 2016. Her husband, Jez Hughes, launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund treatment abroad, as NHS options were limited.
Generous fans helped raise over £50,000 for pioneering treatment in Germany. She began a new course of medication, but later revealed it had not been successful. Tragically, the actress passed away in September 2019 at the age of 55.
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