The following is extracts from :-
25 Yeas of Emmerdale (1997) repubublsihed as "The Emmerdale Companion" (1998) by Anthony Hayward

On 8 June, Kathy told Rachel, who was pregnant, the tragic news that her stepfather, Joe Sugden, had been killed in a car crash in Spain two days earlier. Rachel collapsed and went into labour six weeks early. Terrified, and with Chris nowhere to be found, she begged Kathy to stay with her. Kathy did so and watched her ex-husband's girlfriend give birth to a baby boy, whom she called Joseph Mark as a memorial to both her stepfather and dead brother. Kathy and Rachel became friends but kept this secret from Chris. He was shocked when Rachel insisted that Kathy be Joseph's godmother at his christening.

AFFAIRS OF THE TATES
Rachel and Chris, settling down to life together as parents, moved into Home Farm at the invitation of Chris's father, Frank. It became clear that Frank wanted to be close to baby Joseph and give him as much attention as possible. His overbearing attitude as a grandfather annoyed Rachel, especially when Frank announced that he had enrolled Joseph at a private school. [So they soon moved back into the Mill.] Chris was determined not to let his father rule his life, and he and Rachel opted for a quiet wedding at Hotten Register Office on 7 December, with only Joseph and witnesses Jack and Sarah Sugden present.

The Following is edited (because there were errors) extracts from :-
30 Years of Emmerdale -- Lance Parkin (Hardcover - Granada Media - 7 October, 2002)

JOSEPH MARK TATE
(played by Oliver Young)
Born and First Appearance: 8 June 1995

The son of Chris Tate and his late second wife Rachel... Named after Joe Sugden. His middle name is that of Rachel's brother, who died in the plane crash.

Chris's and Rachel's marriage didn't last long, and Rachel looked after Joseph until her death in 1999.

Joseph then went to live with Chris, who soon found it difficult juggling his business and his responsibilities to his son.

While there could conceivably one day be a rival claim from James Tare, Frank's and Kim's son, Joseph is the heir to Chris Tate's fortune. He is also the major named beneficiary in Zoe's will.

Joseph's dad died on the 17th September 2003. He is now an orphan.

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