Tom King's manipulation returns as Belle fears the worst in Emmerdale

Inmate reading a book inside a prison cell while another stands nearby

Tom King’s release from prison sets alarm bells ringing for Belle Dingle in Digital Spy‘s rundown of five key moments from the 19 October episode of Emmerdale, and Belle is already convinced her abusive ex-husband is trying to get inside her head, even before he walks free. The episode is available to stream now on ITVX and YouTube ahead of its broadcast on ITV1.

Belle’s fears over Tom’s imminent release

Belle’s victim liaison officer arrives at Wishing Well Cottage with the news that Tom will soon be out of prison. She’s told he will be subject to strict conditions and kept away from her, but the Dingles are far from reassured that he’ll stick to the rules.

The situation deepens when Charles, the local vicar, tells Belle and Nicola at the café that he already knew about the release, because he has been speaking with Tom in his role as prison chaplain. Charles passes on Tom’s claim that he is a reformed character who bitterly regrets what he put Belle through. Belle, however, suspects Tom is using Charles to send her messages and play with her emotions.

James Chase, who plays Tom, has spoken about returning to the role. ‘He is a character driven by obsession and a desperate need for control, and it is both fascinating and challenging to step back into that mindset,’ Chase said. ‘The audience knows exactly who he is and what he is capable of, so the challenge now is to show the lengths he is willing to go to in order to get what he wants, even if it means dismantling Belle’s life all over again. It’s a dark path, and I’m ready to see how far Tom will push it.’

In September 2026, Yahoo News reported that Tom received a conviction and prison sentence in late December 2024 following his campaign of abuse.

The mystery of the missing £100,000

Elsewhere in the village, Aaron and Sarah are trying to work out who made off with £100,000 in poker winnings from the pub. Joe and Jai both come under suspicion before being ruled out, and Aaron eventually turns his attention to Kev, who he says has previous form. A confrontation follows, and by the end of the episode, someone uncovers the truth and faces the culprit directly.

Lydia’s misunderstanding with Kim

Lydia is worried about what lies ahead for Samson when he is released from jail, and thinks her concerns are answered when Kim appears to offer him a job. There has, however, been a misunderstanding, leaving Lydia’s optimism looking premature.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

Georgia Parkes started in women's magazine editorial and moved sideways into freelance lifestyle writing when the industry contracted. She spent seven years across two national titles, covering everything from celebrity interviews to consumer trends, and did a year on the branded content side before deciding she preferred having opinions to suppressing them. She writes about wellness, fitness, food, relationships, and the small absurdities of modern living that somehow require a 1,200-word feature. She is good at spotting a trend before it peaks and calling it out three months after everyone else has moved on. Georgia lives in South London. She has tested more wellness products than she has had hot dinners, and considers both claims equally dubious.

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