First look at Denise Welch’s secret Emmerdale role as Tom King finally faces justice
EMMERDALE has revealed the first look at Denise Welch’s role in the soap as she joins in a very special role for the end of villain Tom King’s storyline.
The Sun exclusively revealed how Loose Women star Denise had landed a much-coveted role in the soap, completing the set of the UK’s four big soaps.
And now soap bosses have unveiled the first look pictures at Denise on the show.
She can be seen as a member of the jury for a the special finale of Tom King’s comeuppance as he faces trial for abusing wife Belle Dingle.
But there’s a disturbing twist to come first.
In the prison it’s chaos as the guards declare a ‘code red’ in Tom’s cell.
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Before long word spreads to Belle that Tom’s been rushed to hospital having tried to take his own life.
With Tom due in court, all wonder if the case will go ahead.
As Belle’s turmoil starts causing her to spiral, the family do their best to bolster her but Belle is terrified of having Tom’s death on her hands and starts questioning whether she really can do this.
As Belle heads to talk to Paddy about Tom and his suicide attempt will the vet - who previously struggled with his own suicidal thoughts - help give Belle the reassurance she needs or could he make her even more confused?
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Meanwhile Charity takes matters into her own hands and gains access to Tom’s hospital room for a surprise visit.
Tom’s alarmed by her sudden appearance but when Charity wants him to admit he faked this suicide in an attempt to derail the court and Belle’s testimony.
However Tom suddenly gets clarity and realises Charity has only visited because Belle must be spiralling and Charity is left regretting her interference.
Later when Tom’s solicitor Ollie visits Tom in hospital, Tom explains his belief that Belle will no longer testify. Could Tom be right?
On the day of the court case, Belle leaves her family a mysterious note before slipping out of the Dingles.
Meanwhile, in his hospital room a smug Tom prepares to give his best performance in court.
Aware they need to find Belle the Dingles spring into action but soon they are shocked when the prosecution barrister admits that, without Belle, they may struggle to secure a conviction.
Belle Dingle's biggest Emmerdale storylines
Mineshaft fall
One of her first storylines occured when the character was just seven-years-old. She was under the care of her uncle Shadrach Dingle (Andy Devine), who fell asleep. Daz Eden (Luke Tittensor) paid them a visit where he brought his pet ferret Spike. Although she was sternly warned against it, Belle let the animal out the cage and chased it through the fields. She she pursued the animal, she accidently fell down a mine shaft and had to be rescued.
Killing of Gemma Andrews
Gemma Andrews was played by actress Tendai Rinomhota. She was initially best friends with Belle before boys got in the way. After various dramatic moments, they got into an altercation. Belle pushed her to the ground in anger and Gemma hit her head. Belle was apologetic and she tried to help, but Gemma told her to stay away and they walked off in different directions. However, Harriet Finch (Katherine Dow Blyton) was left horrified after she found Gemma's body near a hedge and she later passed away in hospital. Although Belle confessed her actions to Lisa (Jane Cox), her mother told her not to go to the police. But she later left the funeral to hand herself in, where she was charged with murder.
Jermaine Bailey affair
Belle first encountered Dr. Jermaine Bailey (Micah Balfour) when she needed treatment after she cut her hand on some glass. She was initially attracted to him, although she soon found out that he was already married. They could not stay away from each other as they met up at a factory to have sex. However, they accidentally started a fire when a candle was knocked into a bin. When he found out she was just 17-years-old, he tried to end their relationship, but they soon got back together. Belle later confessed the details of the affair to Jermaine's wife, Angie Bailey (Nina Toussaint-White), after she became suspicious. Although he revealed plans to leave, she told him that she was pregnant. However she was actually faking it in an attempt to prevent him from leaving.
Schizophrenia diagnosis
After the details about the affair were revealed, Belle had a breakdown in the café. After paramedics were called, Belle went missing. A body was found by the police, but Zak (Steve Halliwell) and Lisa were relieved when they went to identify the body to discover that it was not Belle. After living rough, she collapsed from malnutrition and dehydration and was taken to hospital. When Zak and Lisa visited, Belle lashed out as she thought they would kill her. Belle was later assessed by doctors and after she claims that she could hear more than one voice, Jermaine thought she might have schizophrenia. The Dingle parents are informed that it might be best to send Belle to a unit in Surrey to recover from the episode. Six weeks later she returns to the village to visit her family.
Lachlan White
Belle was known for her relationship with Lachlan White (Thomas Atkinson). The actor was known amongst soap fans for his portrayal of the serial killer from 2014 until September 2018. During his killing spree, he committed a number of murders. These included his mum and grandfather, Chrissie and Lawrence White, his best friend Gerry Roberts and a conman who pretended to be Gerry’s uncle. He attempted to kill rival Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Liv Flaherty (Isobel Steele) when he believed she discovered him. Many viewers also believed he had killed his aunt Rebecca, but both times she was revealed to be alive. When his crimes were discovered, he tried to go on the run where he kidnapped his girlfriend Belle Dingle. She then tried to escape, but was run over by Robert and Ross Barton (Michael Parr) who were looking for the duo.
Tom King
Belle married Thomas King (James Chase) in 2024, but soon after the marriage descended into chaos as Belle became part of a coercive control storyline. He locked her inside the house, secretly filmed her using CCTV, and subjected her to severe mental and physical abuse. He would also emotionally manipulate her too as he regulated and disposed of some of her mental health medication. After he made her think her beloved dog piper was killed in a road accident, she soon discovered his true nature. She tied to break free of his grip by telling her family. After he then tried to make her life hell in revenge, she attacked him with an axe in an act of desperation.
Ollie tells Tom that Belle hasn’t arrived at court and Tom is pleased to see the fruits of his labour.
As the jury gathers ready for the trial, Tom’s triumphant as he prepares to take centre stage but will he get away with it?