How will Tom King be caught in Emmerdale? All theories as villager risks life in abuse ordeal

Belle Dingle struggles to wriggle out from under Tom King’s thumb but his Emmerdale downfall could be explosive and even deadly.

The pair tied the knot earlier this year, despite the village vet portrayed by James Chase displaying troubling and abrasive behaviour. Things only got worse for Belle (played by Eden Taylor-Draper) as her new husband proceeded to exert more control on every aspect of her life.

Villagers in the ITV eponymous have, so far, turned a blind eye and Tom was able to torment Belle even further before finding out she was pregnant. However, terrified of her beau’s temper and violent outbursts, Belle decided to have abortion behind his back and was close to leaving him until he was electrocuted.

In more recent episodes of the Yorkshire-based drama, viewers were relieved when Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) appeared to realise what was really going on with Belle but will she really be the one to bring comeuppance to Tom? Here’s what could happen.

1. Death of a legend

Plenty of theories around Tom’s downfall have swirled online, with fans suggesting that soap legend Cain Dingle and nurse Wendy Posner may be the ones Belle needs to finally break free of her abusive husband.

However, recent suspicions have led fans to believe they may have been thinking about the wrong Dingle, with many believing that Woolpack landlady Charity may soon see an uglier side of Tom.

As mentioned, Charity has started to speak up as she has frequently pointed out that something about the sinister vet “doesn’t add up” and her hunch has already prompted Tom to ban her from getting anywhere near Belle.

While the mystery remains around the death of his mother Colleen, Emmerdale viewers have been convinced that foul play could have been involved and, more importantly, that Tom was responsible.

With cumbersome Charity roaming the Dales while keeping a watchful eye on his antics, soap fans believe Tom may be tempted to permanently get rid of her.

2. Murderous payback

On the other hand, while Tom’s kill count has yet to be confirmed, Charity is a known killer in the Yorkshire Dales, her latest victim being crime boss Damon “Harry” Harris, whom she murdered last Christmas in a desperate attempt to save husband Mackenzie Boyd.

Charity has also been through her own abuse torment as a teenager when she was taken advantage of and controlled by police officer Mark Bails (Rocky Marshall), who passed away from a heart attack last year, while in prison.

Viewers have been eager to see Tom’s downfall unfold on their screens as his outrageous treatment of Belle turned increasingly violent in recent months and they have branded the storyline “difficult to watch” on multiple occasions.

And with producer Laura Shaw confirming that the ordeal could last until Christmas, marking one year since Charity killed Harry, bosses could be planning a payback to remember. Could Charity have another murder under her belt by 2025?

3. Belle slips up

Another potential outcome of the storyline could see Belle finally strike back in self-defence, leaving her husband possibly hurt or even dead.

Much like Charity before her, Belle has taken a life in the past when a row with her frenemy Gemma Andrews took a turn. Belle pushed Gemma, who knocked her head on a rock. A comatose Gemma was then taken to hospital, where she passed away.

Belle was caught up, found guilty for manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison – but the ordeal also took a mental toll as she developed symptoms of schizophrenia, with which she still struggles.

Tom has frequently used Belle’s mental health to make her less credible in the eyes of fellow villager and the perpetual gaslighting has led Belle to lash out against her husband in a drained and desperate fury.

Belle pushed Tom on the ground in front of Rhona Goskirk and Vanessa Woodfield who rushed to his aid. Could she do far worse to him in another outburst? Would the rest of her family help her cover up the crime?

4. Secret escape from the Dales

Another theory suggests that Belle will finally be able to get away from Tom by running away from Emmerdale and leaving her old life behind.

Recent scenes have shown the wedding planner preparing to escape to Scotland, where she was considering meeting up with fellow legend Debbie Dingle, Charity’s daughter – but she was eventually stopped in her tracks by Tom’s electrocution.

To keep her isolated and under his control, Tom then planned a stay in Wales, which will take place in scenes airing next week. Speaking to The Mirror and other press, producer Sophie Roper teased the couple would be staying at a remote cottage, where Belle’s abuse will take yet another turn in a special episode.

“Tom is very much isolating Belle from her family, from her surroundings, from everything that she knows and loves, which is unfortunately a typical trait of abusers. It will be difficult drama at moments, but a really important message and a really important story to continue to tell”, she said.

With drama ahead, Belle could make the most of her stay away from Emmerdale to leave Tom behind before finding her way to a safer haven and exposing Tom. But will she dare rebel against him?