Emmerdale fans have predicted a budding romance between two unexpected characters after spotting some sizzling chemistry.

Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) has been single for most of this year, after escaping abusive husband Tom King, and fans are keen for her to find love again.

She had a brief relationship with newcomer Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah), but they soon realised they didn’t really have romantic feelings for each other and broke things off.

However, many fans are speculating that Belle’s next romance could be with Home Farm hunk Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), who is already spoken for.

Joe has been dating Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) since shortly after his return to the Dales.

While she was married to Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle), she and Joe embarked on a steamy affair.

Now, fans are wondering if Dawn is also set to experience the other side of infidelity as Belle and Joe grow closer.

The pair have had several interactions in recent episodes amid the Dingles’ plot to steal Christmas trees from Home Farm.

With the house in desperate need of rewiring and money running low, Sam Dingle (James Hooton) planned on selling the trees to fund the repairs.

He was also hoping that he’d have enough cash left over to treat Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) to tickets to a Jason Donovan concert.

Unfortunately, Joe quickly realised that the Dingles were behind the theft, and promptly fired Sam.

When Belle explained the situation, Joe pointed out that Sam could have just asked for help, instead of resorting to stealing.

However, her words clearly struck a chord and Joe had soon offered Sam his job back.

Fans couldn’t believe that Belle had managed to talk Joe round, and began to speculate that this could be the start of a relationship for them.

‘Belle managed to get through to Joe!? They are gonna end up having an affair aren’t they,’ one fan wrote on Twitter/X.

‘Joe/Belle affair down the line?’ Another speculated, while a third said, ‘I reckon there’s an affair on the cards Belle and Joe, Dawn back to square 1 you reap what you sow.’

Others couldn’t help but notice the chemistry between them, with one writing: ‘Joe and Belle’s chemistry has been mad recently, right? Is it just me sensing that?’

‘GIVE US BELLE AND JOE. REHEAT THOSE DINGLE X TATE NACHOS,’ another pleaded, while a third asked: ‘Hear me out…. Joe and belle?’

‘I only ask of one thing from Emmerdale in 2026 and that’s Joe and Belle,’ another wrote.

Could the fans be set to get what they want? Is a relationship on the cards for Belle and Joe?

When I spoke to Eden Taylor-Draper at the British Soap Awards earlier this year, she told me that finding romance after Belle’s experience with Tom was likely to be ‘a journey’.

‘I think that’s a journey she’ll have to explore and hopefully the audience can go on that with her,’ she said.

‘I don’t think it’s black and white, a journey like that, so hopefully we explore that and the ups and downs and that will all play out with the audience.’