Emmerdale star teases discovery about Tom King’s past as character return ‘sealed’

Emmerdale viewers could see the return of a former character if one star of the show has his way.

Tom King actor James Chase confessed he’d love to see a past King family member return to the village as part of his harrowing storyline with Belle Dingle. He also discussed what has led Tom down such a dark path, with him mentally and physically abusing his wife Belle.

The coercive control storyline escalated in recent weeks, with Tom attacking Belle and things are only set to get worse. But actor James has had his say on whether moments from Tom’s past have encouraged his horrendous behaviour, and whether Tom has been this way before.

The actor addressed whether there have been other victims of his abuse, and whether a former character could head back to the show. Speaking to The Mirror and other press, he called for the comeback of his onscreen sister Anya King, and questioned how this twist might change things.

He told us: “I think maybe there was a portion [of his behaviour] in his previous relationships, maybe a bit controlling but I don’t think it was anywhere to this extent. In his own twisted way it comes from his love and obsession with her that makes him like this.

“He thinks she is his, he’s scared of losing her and that’s why he goes so far in making sure he doesn’t let go of her.” James also touched on Tom’s villainous father Carl King, and whether his behaviour encouraged Tom’s own abuse.

He said: “I view it as when he was growing up he probably saw his dad being a certain way to his mum, this is just hypothetical. I could see Carl taking Tom to one side and being like, sometimes you have to do this to discipline or whatever.

“If you see that at a young age you think it’s okay.” Producer Laura Shaw also touched on whether Tom’s past could come into play, telling us: “I think something will come up in the future, yes. Do I think he’s been like that before? Possibly.”

Actor James also revealed his character would be rumbled at some point, and that he knew what was in store for Tom and Belle when he joined the soap last year. James revealed his character had a “shelf life” and that an ending would happen, while he also said it was “needed” for Tom to face a comeuppance. He said: “I always knew this role was gonna have this storyline, even when Tom was a good character for the first six months.

“I knew this was gonna happen but you have to honour the storyline as realistically as possible as it’s something that does go on. If the audience do hate you it’s a good sign you are doing it properly.”

He went on: “I think it has to happen because it’s what he deserves. He can’t get away with it. I don’t know to what extent [how it will end]. Belle needs justice for what’s happened to her and the audience needs that.

“We have to see her win in the end or for him to lose.” Not wanting to give away what this ending might be, James teased Tom should “at least” face prison. But Laura warned it was far from over and there was more ahead, saying: “What we will see is Tom finding different ways to manipulate Belle and control Belle. We will see an escalation.”