Emmerdale villain Tom King – played by actor James Chase – will make his return to the Dales later this year in a devastating twist for Belle Dingle and her new partner Kammy
Emmerdale villain Tom King is returning
Emmerdale villain Tom King is returning to the Dales in a shocking twist.
Actor James Chase is reprising his role as the abusive Tom King for new scenes later this year. Belle Dingle – played by Eden Taylor-Draper – was targeted by her abusive ex-husband Tom.
Throughout their relationship, she was controlled by Tom, where he psychological abused her, cyber-stalked her and even harmed the family dog Piper to coercively control his wife.
He was convicted and sent to prison but now he is up for parole, and his unexpected return in Belle’s life threatens to turn her life upside down once again. Can the Dingles find a way to keep him in jail or will he manipulate those around him once more?
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said of the new storyline: “James’ return isn’t just about bringing back a familiar face; it’s about reigniting a complex and challenging story.
“When Belle gets the news that Tom is up for parole she’s forced to confront a trauma she battled hard to overcome. With her family and new partner Kammy by her side, we explore the lasting impact of Tom’s abusive actions on Belle as she fights to keep Tom away from the village.”
James Chase added: “Stepping back into Tom’s shoes is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. 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.
“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.”
Actor James left the show back in December 2024 after his character’s 10 month campaign of mental and physical abuse against Belle Dingle. He said of his departure: “One hundred per cent this is the right outcome for King.
“If the Dingles had gone after him and killed him, or even Belle kill him, I think that would be understandable but she and the family would be stooping to his level. By keeping it in the realms of legality, it is the right course of action.”
He added at the time: “This storyline has really resonated with viewers and, sadly, it’s been happening for a long time behind closed doors. Unfortunately, in real life, these things can go on for years.
“By doing the storyline for most this year, we have brought that feeling across – that you are trapped, you are with someone who is awful and you can’t find your way out of it. I feel really proud of what we have achieved and I’m especially proud of Eden (Taylor-Draper) who plays Belle Dingle. She is bloody brilliant and it has been intense. She has spent nearly every day crying.”
Emmerdale airs 8PM, weeknights on ITV1 and STV or from 7AM on ITVX and STV Player and YouTube.
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