Emmerdale's Olivia Bromley reveals real reason why Dawn Fletcher pushed Joe Tate

Emmerdale actress Olivia Bromley has revealed the true reason behind her character Dawn Fletcher's decision to push her lover Joe Tate out of a window.

In Monday's episode (May 12), Dawn admitted to her heartbroken husband Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) that she was responsible for pushing Joe after discovering he had threatened young Clemmie Reed (Mabel Addison).

The rest of the village remains in the dark about the truth, and this secret could continue to unfold over the coming months.

The confession was made without any flashback scene or explanation, leaving viewers with a cliffhanger that merely confirmed Dawn's guilt.

While Emmerdale has not yet disclosed whether viewers will witness the actual events on screen, Olivia has offered her own interpretation of what transpired, reports Belfast Live.

Speaking to the press, Olivia said: "It was an accidental push, essentially, but it was due to his behaviour towards her.

"I would describe it as a typical crime of passion. In that moment, she sees him for who he truly is, and she's shocked.

"I believe it was a surge of maternal instinct, primarily. Also, his attempt to manipulate her in that moment.

"We don't see on screen what actually occurred, so I'm not certain about what happened in that moment, but I envision her confronting him and him resorting to manipulation, and she's had enough.

"I think it was purely accidental. It wasn't a premeditated 'I'm going to kill you', it just happened.

"Dawn has basically sabotaged everything she's built up but interestingly I think she'll find a real strength and resilience and, hey, it's a new Dawn."

Ever since Joe (Ned Porteous) dramatically returned to the village on Christmas Eve, he has thrown Home Farm into absolute chaos.

Just last week at Lydia Dingle's (Karen Blick) 50th birthday event at Home Farm, what should have been festive celebrations swiftly descended into discord as villager's grudges against Joe took centre stage.

The tensions in the village reached a fever pitch, erupting when Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) arrived with the police in tow - after being tipped off by Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) about his sibling's illicit kidney scheme.

This unsavoury revelation was indeed the turning point leading to the devastating limousine accident that resulted in the tragic deaths of Amy Barton (Natalie Ann Jamieson), Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi), and Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough).

Caught in the midst of birthday jubilations, an insistent Joe proclaimed his innocence to the police before retreating upstairs.

The night then darkened further when Joe was discovered lying unresponsive outside Home Farm, having been shoved from an upper floor window.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX