EMMERDALE villain Tom King has made another terrifying move as he continues to manipulate his
wife Belle Dingle, but soap fans aren’t happy about where this storyline is heading.
Over the last few weeks, ITV viewers have seen Tom (James Chase) and Belle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper)
relationship come to a head. Tom has repeatedly manipulated and abused his wife, but Belle stood her ground and finally left him.
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However, this week Tom has painted himself as the innocent party in the wake of their split, garnering some sympathy from the other villagers.
On Monday’s (July 29) episode, Tom began circulating rumours that Belle was growing romantically close to Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) after he saw them sharing a friendly embrace.
This has provided a reasoning for his split from Belle, painting himself as the wronged party.
During a chat with Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler), deceitful Tom claimed he “couldn’t believe” that Belle had left him all alone.
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Pretended to be an emotional wreck, Tom added: “I mean, how she could end things like that, our marriage, our baby? I just wanted to be a dad.
“And now her and Vinny…” he continued, prompting Nicola to ask for more details before clapping back at Belle. “I always knew you were too good for her,” she said.
And Nicola isn’t the only one who’s starting to feel sympathy for Tom, but soap viewers are furious that the villagers are rallying behind the villain and are claiming the show is being biassed toward Belle, the real victim.
“Emmerdale said it before. They’re trying to turn people against Belle now. This is what they always do,” one viewer fumed on X, formerly Twitter.
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“So they all believe Tom now?!?!?! Can the writers please get a grip,” wrote another irate soap fan.
Emmerdale’s Belle Dingle tortured by husband Tom King in sickening scenes
A third livid viewer wrote: “It’s been on for 5 minutes and I’m livid already. Writers stop insulting our intelligence. Everyone’s suddenly turning on Belle and supporting Tom…it’s STUPID.”
While a fourth demanded this storyline come to an end. “Emmerdale, why is this narcissist still calling the shots?” they added.
Tom continues to manipulate Belle
Unfortunately, there’s no sign of Tom’s manipulation of Belle coming to an end in Emmerdale.
In another disturbing twist this week, Tom drained their joint bank account, leaving Belle financially stranded and vulnerable. He then hatched a plan to trick her into moving back into their marital home.
Darkest soap storylines
Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale 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 make 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.
Having agreed to stay with Nicola, Tom reassured Belle she could stay in the house alone with her dog, Piper.
Belle agreed only if she could have the locks changed and be the only one with the key, which Tom initially agreed to.
However, he quickly went back on his promise but failed to tell Belle the truth.
When the locksmith handed over a set of keys to Belle, Tom tried one of the sets of keys on the back door.
As the locksmith left the house, Tom chased after him and asked if they could be re-cut, fearing they were not working properly.
Desperate to get his hands back on a set of the keys in order to still have control over Belle’s home at all times, Tom said: “She gets really bad with her nerves and everything has to be accounted for.”
Clearly not believing what he was saying, Tom then added: “Of course, I’ll pay you for it.”
Tempted by the offer of money, the locksmith slipped Tom a set of keys and seemingly agreed to remain quiet in exchange for the extra cash, with Belle none the wiser.
With Tom now having 24/7 access to where Belle is staying, could he be planning another sinister move on his wife?
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And when will Belle realise that he is still trying to control her despite agreeing to split?
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV1 at 7.30p, and is available to stream on ITVX.
