Emmerdale star explains Tom King's 'freak incident' and 'sinister' theory

12 December 2023 , 07:34

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Emmerdale star explains Tom King's 'freak incident' and 'sinister' theory

Emmerdale's James Chase has addressed fans' sinister theories for his character Tom King.

Earlier this year, viewers were left fearing for Belle Dingle after a very worrying Tom scene. Soap fans will recall Tom recently proposed to Belle, who gently turned down his proposal as it felt too soon and she pointed out it felt bad timing with everything going on with Lydia Dingle following her devastating rape. However, Tom didn't take the news well and as Belle reassured him she wasn't "saying no", he attempted to storm out.

Belle tried to stop Tom from leaving but he violently pushed Belle, shouting "leave me alone" as Belle hit her head on the table, leaving the scared character bleeding. Tom was quick to apologise, insisting he would never do it again and he'd never want to hurt her, begging for another chance to which Belle insisted it was "okay", saying: "I've already forgotten it". Belle has failed to tell her family any of the worrying details, pretending that Tom took her proposal rejection well and that it had made them closer.

Emmerdale's James Chase has addressed fans' sinister theories for his character Tom King (ITV)

In upcoming scenes, Chas Dingle pushes Belle to propose to Tom again but after a series of failed attempts, Belle gets the help of Leyla Harding. Together, they form a plan and the next day a blindfolded Tom is led onto the ice rink by Leyla, where he's mesmerised to see a proposal with the help of none other than Torvill and Dean, who Tom is a massive fan of. Belle is over the moon when Tom says yes and they have a sweet fan moment with Torvill and Dean.

However, despite the romantic proposal plans, soap fans have understandably been left concerned for Belle after the worrying Tom scenes earlier this year. Addressing the storyline earlier this year and Tom and Belle's future, actress Eden Taylor-Draper said of the two characters to the Mirror and other press: "From that moment on we’ve been on a good path."

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The actress continued: "Obviously that was a major thing that happened, but straight after it’s been so positive. It’s one of those things where she’s very quickly forgotten that. She’s just like: 'Wow, everything’s amazing, I’m so in love with you', and that’s very much at the back of her mind."

To which James explained: "I think when it happened, it was a freak incident, obviously it was terrible", the actor added: "I think it shows how good a person Belle is that she was able to forgive him for that. Obviously it’s a terrible thing to happen but they move through that and sort of forget about it."

Earlier this year, viewers were left fearing for Belle Dingle after a very worrying Tom scene (ITV)

Elsewhere during the chat, James addressed fans' sinister theories for his character, Tom, especially after a troubled past in the village. Soap fans will recall that Tom, whose dad is late killer Carl King, made an explosive return earlier this year. Last time he was on the ITV soap, Tom, who was previously played by Mark Flanagan, terrorised the village in 2013 by stalking Chas.

And he also had a relationship with Belle before reuniting, even convincing her at the time to run away with him, but soon had a change of heart and instead fled the village alone by stealing Dan's camper van. With the worrying proposal scene earlier this year, viewers had predicted that Tom could lash out again in a sinister twist.

Actor James said of his character, especially after his worrying proposal scene last month: "I think when Tom came into the show people all thought something is going to be up with him because when he was younger he was going through his issues and was very aggressive and all that so it was very easy to assume he was going to be like that again.

"I think now because this has happened everyone is once again ready to assume that it’s going to go down that path. I think it was just something that happened, unfortunately, but I think it just shows how strong their relationship is and how wonderful Belle is that she’s able to move past it. Right now, how amazingly lovely and romantic this is, that’s where they’re headed."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. *Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .

Olivia Wheeler