Belle Dingle terrorised as husband Tom King steps up his abuse in Emmerdale
Could Tom's behaviour take deadly proportions for Belle?
TOM King’s controlling tactics continue next week as Belle Dingle tries to focus on her career.
Coming up in Emmerdale, the fan favourite finds out her beau isn’t as honest as he’d claimed – and it all goes downhill.
Belle Dingle (portrayed by Eden Taylor-Draper) was swept off her feet by the son of villainous Carl King last year, when Tom King (James Chase) returned to the eponymous ITV village after a decade.
But what appeared to be an exciting new chance at love for Belle took a dark turn as Tom displayed troubling behaviour, ranging from verbal humiliation to gaslighting and even physical violence.
Despite enduring acts of clear psychological abuse, even on her own wedding day, Belle has been keeping quiet about her ordeal.
Sadly, she may not have much more time to call for help.
In scenes airing next week on our screens, Tom takes his mind games to another level after Belle continues to put her career before her dream of building a family of her own.
Tom, who has been keen to rush into commitment right from the get-go, is stressed and irritable as he continues to berate Belle for her decision to postpone having children.
Unfortunately for him, Tom is soon caught up with the truth as Belle finds out he tried to sabotage a job opportunity with local wedding and event planner Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough).
In later scenes, Suzy is surprised to find Belle working the reception at the vet surgery, where Tom works.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Suzy alludes to an unaware Belle about the job offer at Take A Vow.
Furious, Belle still decides to cover for Tom and pretends he passed on the message.
But once she’s home and able to confront him with her discovery, Belle accuses Tom of lying to Suzy.
Despite her anger, Tom’s manipulation works a charm as he manages to appease her.
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When Belle accepts the job, however, Tom’s true colours pop back out and he is fuming when Suzy describes Belle’s first client as her “perfect match.”
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Tom’s abuse escalates even further the following day – the day of Marlon Dingle’s party.
How far is Tom willing to go in order to gain control over Belle?
How will Belle cope as Tom’s abuse continues?
More importantly, will she even survive?
Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7.30pm on ITV.
