Frank Tate (Emmerdale)

Frank Tate
Emmerdale character
Portrayed byNorman Bowler
Duration1989–1997
First appearance21 November 1989 (1989-11-21)
Last appearance27 May 1997 (1997-05-27)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byKeith Richardson
In-universe information
OccupationBusinessman
WifeJean Tate (backstory)
Kim Tate (until 1993, 1994–1997)
SonsLiam Hammond
Chris Tate
Caleb Miligan
Jamie Tate
DaughtersZoe Tate
GrandsonsJoe Tate
Noah Dingle
Nicky Miligan
GranddaughtersJean Tate

Frank Tate is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by Norman Bowler. He made his first appearance on 21 November 1989 and remained a regular for almost eight years, before Bowler opted to quit in 1996, leading to his character's exit the following year. Introduced as the patriarch of the Tate family, who were brought in as part of the show’s rebranding in 1989, many of Frank's storylines revolved around his volatile relationship with his wife Kim Tate (Claire King).

During his time in the programme, Frank and Kim divorced and remarried before his death of a heart attack – brought on by her return to the village after being presumed dead – ended their second marriage. Other notable storylines included his addiction to alcohol; coming to terms with his daughter Zoe’s (Leah Bracknell) sexuality; sparking a conflict with his own son Chris (Peter Amory); discovering Kim's affair with local handyman Dave Glover (Ian Kelsey); and his various business dealings and feuds with the likes of Dave's father Ned Glover (Johnny Leeze), his close friend Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby), and fellow businessman Steve Marchant (Paul Opacic).