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Emmerdale’s mind-bending Belle Dingle episode sees her FINALLY reveal Tom King’s abuse to shocked relative

A unique episode explored different possibilities in Belle's mind

A MIND-BENDING Emmerdale episode saw Belle Dingle finally open up about her abuse.

The character - played by Eden Taylor-Draper - married Tom King (James Chase) in scenes aired earlier this year.

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A special episode of Emmerdale focused on Belle DingleCredit: ITV
The stylised episode highlighted Belle's abuse at the hands of husband Tom KingCredit: ITV
Belle opened up to her relative CharityCredit: ITV

Unfortunately, Tom went on to physically and mentally abuse his new wife across several months.

Although Belle escaped the troubled relationship, her torment was far from over.

Tonight's episode ended with Belle opening up to Charity (Emma Atkins) about what she'd faced at Tom's hands.

She revealed: "There's no way out. Everywhere I turn, it's a dead end.

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"If I trick him, he's one step ahead. If I call him out, I look insane. If I do nothing... I can't keep living in this pinball machine."

In earlier scenes, viewers saw Belle haunted by three nightmare possible futures.

The first scenario saw her visit Tom, who had just slept with Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell).

Belle claimed she wanted Tom back, revealing how much she loved him and the estranged couple prepared to move back in together.

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However, soon after, Belle revealed it had all been a ruse, saying: "Do you really think I would ever get back with you? After everything you've put me through. I had to show Amelia exactly the kind of man you are."

Furious, Tom attacked Belle, pinned her down and said she was his.

Emmerdale's Belle Dingle makes major decision about abusive husband Tom King

The scene jumped to Christmas, with Belle bruised, silent and pregnant.

Tom went to walk their dog "Pippa", while the real Belle was shown watching from outside as the imagined scenario ended.

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Next, Belle imagined a sequence of events where she told Kerry (Laura Norton) about Tom's behaviour.

The two tracked down Amelia, asking if Tom had ever hurt her.

The younger woman revealed her boyfriend's claims that Belle had abused him.

Belle argued Tom did horrible things to her, overheard by her half-brother Cain (Jeff Hordley).

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Cain confronted and violently beat Tom, having to be stopped by Jimmy (Nick Miles).

No one believed Belle's version of events and she was sent to be treated.

In the last scenario, Tom and Amelia are imagined as an engaged couple.

Spotting a scald mark on Amelia's hand, Belle offered her support but Amelia refused.

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Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEndersEmmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...

  • EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
  • Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
  • Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
  • Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.
  • Afterwards, Tom asked his fiancee who she'd been talking to.

    The imagined sequence then showed Amelia's corpse being removed in a body bag, having supposedly died in an accident.

    Back in reality, what will happen next with Belle?

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    Emmerdale airs on ITV and is available to watch on ITVX.

    One of the imagined scenarios resulted in Amelia's deathCredit: ITV
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