Belle Dingle faces fresh heartbreak in Emmerdale next week when she learns that her abusive ex-husband, Tom King, has been beaten up in prison and is in a critical condition. The news comes as Tom, played by James Chase, is scheduled for an early release from prison.
Belle learns of the attack
In upcoming scenes, Charles Anderson (Kevin Mathurin) arrives to tell Belle the news about Tom. As they process it, Belle becomes furious when her brother, Cain (Jeff Hordley), admits that he got Samson (Sam Hall) to attack Tom, jeopardising Samson's own prison release.
Sam (James Hooton) soon accuses Cain of not caring about Samson. As their argument reaches a fever pitch, Sam attacks Cain. As Cain later storms off, Sam begins to sob. Sam is soon devastated to learn that Samson could face a longer stretch in prison as a result of the attack.
Belle's fear grows
Belle later begins to feel paranoid about Tom's reaction in the wake of the attack. Her boyfriend, Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah), promises to support her as she relives her abuse at Tom's hands, terrified that Cain might have given him an excuse to fight back.
Belle then explodes at her brothers after Sam demands that Cain move out of Wishing Well cottage. She announces that she is going to talk to Tom. Once at the hospital, where Tom is being held to recover, Kammy calms Belle's nerves, but he is uncertain about letting her go in alone.
Other storylines
Elsewhere, Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) tells his son, Lewis (Bradley Riches), that he thinks there is a spark between him and Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler). The pair are later left heartbroken when Kev announces that he has got a new job at the Smokehouse.
Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) continues to hold his uncle Caleb Miligan's (William Ash) affair over his head, while Kim Tate (Claire King) welcomes her long-lost daughter, Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge), to the family. Not everyone is excited, as Joe and Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) are wary of Thea. Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
