For most of 2024 in Emmerdale, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) struggled through a terrible ordeal as the man she married, Tom King (James Chase), subjected her to systematic and horrific abuse. But now Belle has seen Tom jailed for his crimes and is busy picking up her life and looking forward to the future.
Tom was sentenced to three years in prison after Belle first bravely opened up to her family about the abuse she’d endured and then told the police about Tom’s crimes.
In a powerful episode in December we saw her giving her evidence in court and also heard the real-life voices of women who’d survived domestic abuse.
In February Belle again faced up to Tom when she visited him in prison to tell him she was starting divorce proceedings against him. She said she was working hard to heal her life and divorce would be ‘the cherry on the top.’
One of the first things she did to take back control was returning to work. Tom had emotionally blackmailed her into giving up work early in their relationship as he wanted her to be dependent on him rather than having outside interests and independence.
So accepting Leyla (Roxy Shahidi) and Suzy (Martelle Edinborough)’s invitation to join them again at Take A Vow was a huge step, but one that she only hesitated for a second before agreeing to. Very quickly the old Belle, the one who was good with clients and quick at solving problems, began to reappear.
Tragically, soon afterwards Suzy and Leyla both lost their lives in the fateful limo crash that also claimed the life of Amy Barton (Natalie Ann Jamieson).
Belle has continued to work in the business following the deaths of her colleagues, even taking on the task of arranging Liam (Jonny McPherson) and Chas (Lucy Pargeter)’s wedding.
In upcoming episodes it becomes clear that, following Leyla’s death, the business now belongs to her son Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).
Trainee doctor Jacob has neither the time nor the inclination to involve himself in his mum’s wedding business, so he makes Belle an offer.
He asks her if she would like to buy Take A Vow. Is she ready for this next step in her life?
