Tom King has been found guilty of abusing wife Belle Dingle in Emmerdale
and sent to prison for three years. It’s the end of what has been a very real, but very long storyline.
And while it looks like Tom has gone for good, no one would blame fans for
wondering if that was the case. After all, we’ve been teased plenty of times before that Tom would be no more. He’s survived multiple near-fatal incidents including being electrocuted and stabbed in the back with an axe by Belle. Plus fans thought Tom had gone for good when he was caught trying to escape and sent to prison.
However, this time, it looks like there’s no getting away from it: Tom is going to jail. So is this the last we will see of Tom King? Has he left Emmerdale for good at last?
What happened in Emmerdale tonight
In another format-breaking episode, that Emmerdale has become well-known for, tonight’s scenes flipped between the evidence being given in court and the jury deliberating their verdict.
Although the jury consisted of 12 people there were three particularly vocal ones: foreman Karl, played by Charles Dale, Heidi, played by Denise Welch and Kenneth, played by Jack Ellis.
Karl was very much Team Tom in the beginning, using all of Belle’s past deeds against her to paint her as unstable. In fairness, Tom did give a very convincing performance in court.
Heidi, however, knew the signs and knew Tom was guilty as sin. Kenneth stayed quiet as the two locked horns, but eventually piped up and revealed a personal experience with an abuser that made him doubt Tom and realise Belle was being truthful. He said he could see the look of sheer terror in her eyes.
After it looked like things were going Tom’s way, the vote suddenly swung in Belle’s favour and the jury reached the unanimous verdict Tom was guilty. Hallelujah!
Has Tom left Emmerdale for good?
It’s music to our ears: Yes, this is the last we will see of Tom King. Emmerdale Insider reached out to the soap who confirmed the news.
At last the village is free of the evil that is Tom. His last trick has failed. He was found guilty and will serve his time.
Whether in three years he gets out and comes back to terrorise Belle is another thing, but for now, she can sleep easy knowing he is behind bars. And we don’t have to see his smug face again!
Even better than that, Belle will be smiling again by Christmas when she is reunited with her beloved Piper. She realises Tom lied about the dog being dead and lovely Vinny, with Gabby’s help, tracks Piper down and returns her to Belle on Christmas Day.
All the tissues please, this is at last the justice she deserves.
