ITV Emmerdale confirms exits of two villagers as fans ‘work out’ Tom King kidnap horror
Emmerdale fans are convinced Tom King's downfall is imminent as Belle Dingle was taken to a mental health crisis centre on Friday's episode, leaving him worried.
Emmerdale viewers were left shocked on Friday night as Belle Dingle (played by Eden Taylor-Draper) made a heartbreaking exit from the village to attend a mental health crisis assessment centre, following a distressing storyline involving Tom King (James Chase).
The popular ITV soap has been exploring a coercive control plot with these characters, showing Tom isolating and manipulating his partner Belle. His abhorrent behaviour escalated recently, with him keeping her under surveillance, and the storyline took an even darker turn when Tom became violent.
In Thursday’s episode, Tom, who had previously feigned seeking help but instead told Dr. Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) that Belle was the one with issues, resorted to further desperate measures. The episode coincided with the anniversary of Belle’s mother, Lisa Dingle’s death.
However, Tom dismissed the significance of the day and manipulated Belle into staying home for a parcel delivery, supposedly due at 1pm, rather than joining her family for a commemorative picnic.
The vet then attended a performance review interview where his colleagues at the veterinary practice, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) and Vanessa Woodfield (MIchelle Hardwick), had some criticisms for him. Upon realising he wasn’t receiving a positive review, he manipulated the situation by bringing up Lisa’s death anniversary.
Emmerdale: Tom look pertrified that Belle was leaving the villager (Image: ITV)
Meanwhile, Belle waited at home past 1pm for a non-existent parcel before deciding to join her family, who had already departed without her.
After she didn’t wait for his delivery, Tom pointed fingers at her for spoiling the day and cruelly insulted her late mother Lisa. In a fit of rage, Belle lashed out and shoved Tom to the ground, an incident that didn’t go unnoticed by the villagers.
Playing the victim, Tom garnered sympathy as a distraught Belle found solace in Lydia (Karen Blick) and Sam Dingle’s (James Hooton) arms.
In the latest twist on Friday’s Emmerdale, Tom meddled with Belle’s medication in a sinister move to further alienate her, leaving her distressed and seeking help from a mental health crisis team.
Despite Lydia, Sam, and Cain’s (Jess Hordley) insistence that Tom leaves Belle alone for her meeting, they were shocked to return to Belle being escorted to a mental health crisis assessment centre.
Emmerdale: Fans think Cain will kidnap Tom (Image: ITV)
Tom resisted Belle’s decision to go, but she was adamant it was only for a short while. Lydia, sensing something amiss with Belle, remarked: “It’s for the best, they’ll get to the bottom of exactly what’s been going on.”
However, following the episode, fans took to X to share their thoughts and theories and many think Cain is on to Tom and that he could be planning another kidnap.
One fan said: “I reckon Cain and Aaron will kidnap Tom once the domestic abuse comes to light, Cain will bring up that Tom stalked Chas after Carl King died, and Moira and Chas burst in, explaining Belle won’t get justice this way #Emmerdale.” (sic)
Another commented: “Cain is starting to get suspicious – it was only a few weeks ago when he previously had his suspicions about Tom. Won’t be long till he susses him out?”
Emmerdale: Belle Dingle has left the village (Image: ITV)
A third added: “Cain should kidnap Tom put him in his car boot and dangle him over a cliff and drop the t**t.” (sic)
Someone else agreed: “Looking forward to Cain locking Tom in a barn for a few weeks and torturing him can’t come soon enough! #Emmerdale.”
“Cain will kill him once he worked it out #emmerdale,” a fifth suggested.
A sixth echoed: “#Emmerdale. I thought Cain looked like he was on to Tom’s behaviour?”
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV.