| Joseph Bell | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Days of Our Lives | |||||
| Portrayed by | Tobin Bell | ||||
| Current status | Former; Guest | ||||
| Duration | 2016 | ||||
| First appearance | March 11, 2016 | ||||
| Last appearance | March 22, 2016 | ||||
| Cause/reason | Died | ||||
| Created by | Josh Griffith, Dena Higley and Beth Milstein | ||||
| Introduced by | Ken Corday, Albert Alarr and Greg Meng | ||||
| Profile | |||||
| Fullname | Joseph Bell | ||||
| Nickname(s) | Tim | ||||
| Alias(es) | Yo Ling Tim Robicheaux | ||||
| Gender | Male | ||||
| Died | March 22, 2016 | ||||
| Cause of death | Suicide by biting on a poison capsule | ||||
| Occupation | Leader of the Phantom Alliance Former soldier | ||||
| Residence | Salem, Illinois (at time of death) | ||||
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Joseph Bell (a.k.a. Yo Ling) was a character from the soap opera Days of Our Lives, portrayed by Tobin Bell in 2016. He was originally believed to be Tim Robicheaux, the biological father of John Black, but this was proven to not be true in 2023.
History
Joseph Bell was a soldier who fought in the Korean War and faked his death by stealing the dog tags off of Tim Robicheaux. Despite stealing Tim' identity, Joseph went on to adopt the name Yo Ling, and formed a league of assassins known as the Phantom Alliance. Joseph had hoped to recruit Tim's son John Black, but John was already in the custody of Stefano DiMera, serving as his pawn.
Storylines
In March 2016, a captured John came face to face with who he believed to be his father for the first time in his life. John couldn't believe that "Tim" was alive, and "Tim" explained that he faked his death. Taking the name Yo Ling, "Tim" formed a organization of assassins called the Phantom Alliance. "Tim" planned for John to become a part of it, but learned he had been adopted by the Alamain family.
"Tim" waited till John was old enough, and then bought him from the Alamains. John was trained at Winterthorne academy, and was said to be one of the best assassins. "Tim" admitted he thought about revealing himself to John, but decided it was better if John didn't know who he was. John was set to command his own team when Ilya Petrov betrayed "Tim" and handed John over to Stefano DiMera.
"Tim" claimed that he was dying from the infectious bacterial disease that Caroline Brady has. John realized "Tim" was responsible for Bo Brady being held captive and tortured. "Tim" waved off his role In Bo's death as unfortunate collateral damage, and that he needed John's blood to survive. "Tim" warned John the procedure would most likely kill him, but he could take solace in the fact that his blood would be used for a higher purpose. "Tim" also had his grandson Paul Narita kidnapped. "Tim" planned to brainwash Paul into becoming an assassin, so he could carry on for "Tim".
"Tim" started the brainwashing process, but John broke free and tried to escape with Paul. They were caught by "Tim" and his men, but then rescued when Rafe Hernandez, Marlena Evans, and Steve Johnson burst into the room. "Tim" and his men were apprehended, so "Tim" committed suicide by biting into a poisoned capsule.
In September 2023, the real Tim made his way to Salem, but he had no memory of who he was. John and Steve Johnson did some investigating and originally believed that Tim was Joseph Bell.
On September 8, 2023, John learned the whole truth and happily embraced his real father no longer burdened by believing he was connected to a monster like Yo Ling.
