BELLE DINGLE LEARNS OF TOM KING'S PLANNED RELEASE

Belle Dingle learnt that her former husband, Tom King, would leave prison in Monday’s 19 October episode of ITV’s Emmerdale. Victim liaison officer Lizzie delivered the news to Belle at Wishing Well Cottage. Lizzie told her that Tom would face strict licence conditions, including a ban on approaching her. Belle feared that Tom would try to control her again, while Kammy noticed the change in her demeanour after Lizzie’s visit.

Tom received a three-year prison sentence in December 2024 for his abuse of Belle, which included coercive control. James Chase plays Tom, and Eden Taylor-Draper plays Belle in the soap. Later, Charles Anderson overheard Belle discussing Tom’s release with Nicola King at the café. Charles, the village vicar, said he had spoken to Tom while serving as a prison chaplain.

Charles said Tom had requested their conversation a few days earlier and had asked about forgiveness. “He said over the course of his sentence, he's accepted culpability for his actions,” Charles told Belle. Charles also said Tom wanted Belle’s forgiveness before his release. Belle questioned Tom’s intentions, saying: “It's happening again, isn't it? He's trying to get to me, control things, and play the victim.”