In recent Emmerdale episodes, viewers have been speculating about who will save Belle Dingle from the increasingly dangerous grip of Tom King. The storyline, currently delving into coercive control, depicts Tom isolating and manipulating Belle. His behavior has grown more violent and abhorrent, including a recent trip to Wales that was meant to be a holiday but was actually a ploy to relocate without Belle’s knowledge. Tom even went so far as to apply for a job there and restricted Belle’s communication by hiding her phone.

Suspicious of Tom’s actions, Belle’s relative, Charity Dingle, began investigating after noticing Belle’s abrupt disappearance. Along with Cain Dingle, Charity discovered the ransacked cottage in Wales, but Belle was nowhere to be found. Flashbacks revealed that Tom’s cruelty escalated, with him confining Belle and mistreating their dog, Piper. Belle managed a daring escape with Piper while Tom was showering, boarding a bus just as Tom pursued her.

Belle returned home but was met with Tom’s threats and lies, including fabricating a story about her behavior being due to medication issues. Despite Tom’s chilling threat, Belle bravely left the house, only to face further manipulation. Tom later posed as a savior by returning Piper to the Dingle family, while secretly he continued his abusive tactics.

Vinnie Dingle, who had become aware of Tom’s abusive tendencies, confronted him after discovering Tom’s public denigration of Belle. Tom’s false accusations about Belle’s past and a public outburst at the Woolpack further complicated matters. The situation reached a climax with Tom coercing Belle into silence and Belle urging Vinnie to stay away, as the fallout from Tom’s manipulative actions continued to unravel.