Emmerdale Warns Belle as Tom King Prepares to Leave Prison

Belle Dingle faces renewed fear over her abusive ex-husband's impending prison release in Emmerdale, as Rhona Goskirk warns that Tom King could pose an even greater danger. In the episode released early on ITVX ahead of its Tuesday, October 20, 2026, broadcast, Belle struggles with the news while her boyfriend, Kammy Hadiq, and family members try to persuade her to protect her safety and rebuild her life. Belle learns from her victim liaison officer that Tom, played by James Chase, is due to leave prison after serving a sentence for coercive controlling behavior and assault.

Her anxiety intensifies after she discovers that Charles Anderson, a village chaplain played by Kevin Mathurin, has spoken with Tom. Although Tom has reportedly expressed remorse, Belle doubts his sincerity and considers confronting him in prison. After spending the night alone on the sofa, she tells Kammy that Tom would welcome the distress caused by his impending release.

Kammy encourages Belle to regain control of her life. When Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley, returns from a fishing trip before a hospital scan, he recognizes the tension and joins Kammy in urging Belle not to visit Tom.

Belle remains convinced that avoiding Tom will not stop him from pursuing her. She suggests moving away and tells Kammy he can join her, although she insists that dealing with Tom is her responsibility alone. Rhona, played by Zoë Henry, finds Belle after she leaves home following the disagreement. Rhona shares her experience of visiting her own abusive ex-partner, Pierce Harris, after his imprisonment, explaining why she doubts that an apology necessarily signals genuine remorse.

Rhona tries to reassure Belle that her fear is understandable and that she remains safe. However, Belle points out that Pierce returned to the village after completing his sentence and terrorized Rhona again. Rhona encourages Belle not to let Tom dictate the course of her future. Belle eventually returns home and tells Cain and Kammy that she will not leave, deciding instead to resume her life rather than allow Tom's impending release to control her decisions.

At the Woolpack, Belle and Kammy make plans for the following day. Rhona separately speaks with Cain and warns him that Tom could be more dangerous than before, stressing the need to prepare for his return. Elsewhere, Nicola King, played by Nicola Wheeler, struggles with whether she should support Tom following the death of her husband, Jimmy King, played by Nick Miles.

Tom had written to her after Jimmy's death, leaving Nicola uncertain about whether family loyalty should influence her decision. Kev Barton, played by Chris Coghill, helps Nicola consider Tom's behavior separately from his connection to the King family. Their conversation centers on whether loyalty to relatives should outweigh the seriousness of his actions.

In another storyline, Sarah Sugden, played by Katie Hill, jokingly suggests that the Sugden family could burn down its farm and claim insurance money. The remark recalls an earlier incident in which her father, Andy Sugden, played by Kelvin Fletcher, set fire to the family barn as part of a similar scheme, accidentally killing his adoptive mother, Sarah, the woman after whom his daughter was named.

Robert Sugden, played by Ryan Hawley, is delighted to recover his poker winnings after Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, invents a story about the money being stolen. Sarah sees through Charity's account and, amid their existing estrangement, angrily prevents her from having any involvement with baby Leyla.