EMMERDALE fans have been left open-mouthed as Belle Dingle FINALLY escapes evil husband Tom – but with a harrowing twist.
The character – played by Eden Taylor-Draper – has been pushed to her limits in recent weeks by her twisted spouse.
Tom has been increasing his control of Belle and become physically abusive, before gaslighting her into thinking her version of events were incorrect.
Earlier this week, Belle snapped and pushed Tom over in front of shocked villagers after he purposefully stopped her from honouring the anniversary of her mum Lisa’s death.
In tonight’s episode, Belle was withdrawn and apologetic for what happened, but Tom continued his abuse by secretly messing with her medication and making her think she hadn’t been taking her tablets correctly.
Belle immediately doubted herself, and feared she was having a mental health breakdown so called the crisis team, much to Tom’s dismay.
Against his better judgement, Belle’s relatives made him leave the house so she could talk to the crisis team by herself, and she admitted how confused and lost she felt.
She said: “I don’t trust myself, I thought I was taking my pills, I mean that’s one on one right? You stick to the routine.
“But I thought I was doing good, I felt like I had everything under control but now it’s like…it’s like everything I thought I was just isn’t true.”
Later, Tom insisted on heading back to the house to see what was happening, with Cain, Marlon and Lydia in tow.
But as they arrived, Belle was coming out of the door with an overnight bag, and the mental health advisor told them she was checking in to a crisis assessment centre.
Unnerved, Tom said it was “the last thing she needs right now” but Belle was insistent that it was the right thing.
He begrudgingly said goodbye to his wife as Belle hugged them all before climbing into the passenger seat of the car and leaving the village.
As Tom looked troubled by the new situation that had presented itself, Emmerdale viewers took to X – formerly Twitter – to discuss his latest antics and Belle’s departure.
One wrote: “The look on Tom’s face! He didn’t see that coming! While Belle is getting assessed I hope they do blood tests & find that she has been taking her meds.”
Another added: “You’ve lost your punchbag Tom. Time away from you and she’ll tell. Farewell Tom!”
A third tweeted:
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
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