Emmerdale fans are set for disappointment as a beloved character finds themselves out of a job.

*Warning contains spoilers* In the latest episode of the popular ITV soap, available to watch on ITV X now, Sam Dingle and Belle Dingle are seen desperately trying to raise funds to buy Lydia Dingle's cherished Jason Donovan concert tickets.

On Wednesday, Sam hatched a plan to pilfer Christmas trees from Home Farm, calculating that if they sold 20 trees at £50 each, they could afford the concert tickets and fix the cottage's electrics. Sam, who is the gamekeeper at Home Farm, assured a hesitant Belle that Kim Tate and Joe Tate would never suspect him.

However, their scheme was foiled by none other than Joe. After arriving at Wishing Well Cottage, worried about the missing Christmas trees and threatening to involve the police, Joe quickly noticed some foliage outside and realised the pair were to blame.

Turning the tables on Sam, Joe summoned him to Home Farm where he revealed he had contacted the police because a group of Crossbill birds had been nesting in the stolen trees, and their nests had been destroyed.

Joe explained that these birds are a protected species, meaning hefty fines for those responsible, and potentially a prison sentence of up to six months for the tree thief.

Sam was left in a state of panic as he confessed and apologised, only for Joe to reveal he was lying. Joe stated: "I know it was you, I found one of the trees in one of your outbuildings.

"What I can't figure out is why you would steal from us, after everything that I've done for your family, for you, I thought that we were..."

Joe continued: "I don't want your apologies, I want you out!" before confirming: "You're fired!"

Later, a heartbroken Sam drowned his sorrows in The Woolpack with Belle, where he lamented: "I'm supposed to be the man of the house now, aren't I? I can't even buy my wife a couple of tickets, I can't buy her anything!" before storming off.

At this point, Joe entered the pub, prompting Belle to chastise him for firing Sam. Belle argued: "He made a mistake. He's skint, okay? We're all skint.

"We need to get the house rewired and all he was trying to do is raise a bit of money to buy Lydia these VIP Jason Donovan tickets."

Joe defended himself, saying he would have lent Sam the money if he had asked, to which Belle retorted: "He's proud and embarrassed. Are you that rich that you can't even understand that?"

Offering a solution, Belle mentioned she had a client in Manchester who owned a hotel and needed Christmas trees, adding: "You're not going to be out of pocket, are you?"

It remains to be seen whether Sam will regain his job and if Joe will have a change of heart...

Emmerdale continues on weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV and ITV X.