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Emmerdale's Belle Dingle haunted by memories of vile ex-husband Tom King in early ITVX release

Warning: Contains spoilers for Tuesday's episode of Emmerdale, which airs at 8pm on ITV1 or can be streamed now on ITVX.

In a stylised shot to promote a domestic abuse storyline on Emmerdale, Belle sits with a purple top on while Tom stands behind her menacingly. She has her hands clasped in front of her and a concerned look on her face. Tom is in black, with one arm in front, his hand clenched in a fist next to Belle. He has a stern look on his face. They are in front of a dark green background.

ITV

Published: Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at 1:59 pm

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Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) has faced a haunting reminder of her domestic abuse in Emmerdale.

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Between 2023 and 2004, fans of the ITV soap watched in horror as her husband Tom King (James Chase) physically, verbally and psychologically abused her.

Despite initial warning signs during their engagement, she proceeded with their wedding. His behaviour spiralled from cruel comments to forcing her to have sex with him, before turning violent and leaving Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) for dead.

He smashed late mother Lisa's urn, faked the death of their beloved family pet Piper and recorded her every move using hidden CCTV cameras that he planted in her house.

Tom was eventually sent down for three years for the assault and coercive control of Belle.

Kammy and Belle stare into one another's eyes in Emmerdale

Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq and Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle in Emmerdale. ITV

She finally found herself a good man, briefly dating bad boy turned comic relief Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) last year. The relationship fizzled out, but in recent weeks, they have reconnected.

He was terrified of being introduced to the unruly Dingle clan, but during a party at The Woolpack, enjoyed a karaoke session. They've quickly welcomed him into the family fold, though he hasn't been as forthcoming when introducing his own relations to her.

Earlier this week, Belle approached Kammy with the idea of joining him to celebrate Eid. He quickly shut down the idea, and she noticed how unnerved he appeared to be.

Believing she'd overstepped, she began to apologise, but he made his excuses and ran off to Emmerdale Farm when Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) alerted him to another fire within one of the barns.

Tensions were still rising in today's episode when Aaron clocked how tired he was at the garage. Kammy snapped at Belle when she handed him a hand-made card for Eid, saying that his house would be far too busy and that he'd like her to meet his family at a better time.

She was taken aback, and when they met up later, felt impulsed to check over his phone to see if he was hiding something.

Kammy sits alone in a barn in Emmerdale

Kammy is secretly homeless. ITV

Belle quickly stopped herself from intervening, telling Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) that she was ashamed of herself for almost invading his privacy and that this was exactly the level of control that Tom had gained over her.

Kammy is a good man, and she doesn't want to jeopardise their blossoming romance.

Despite that, she was still hung up on the idea that he was hiding something – and he is. At the farm, he bedded down for the night, revealing to viewers that he is secretly homeless.

How has Kammy found himself in this predicament?

You can access free and confidential support from Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and digital support via live chat Monday-Friday 10am-10pm via nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

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Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.

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Authors

Michael Adams wearing a white t-shirt and beige gilet against a white background

Michael AdamsSoaps Editor

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

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