Tom’s vulgar power play as Belle’s nightmare unfolds in Emmerdale

The power is back in Tom King’s hands (Picture: ITV)

Tom King (James Chase) hasn’t even been released from prison and he’s already able to sit back and rub his hands with glee at the distress he’s causing Emmerdale’s Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper).

Belle was left terrified when she learned that Tom was being released. She managed to overcome the fear on her own, refusing to let Tom control her. But when she received a wreath of dead flowers, Cain (Jeff Hordley) assumed it was a warning.

It wasn’t, as it happened, but he confronted Tom anyway before arranging for his nephew Samson (Sam Hall) to beat the life out of him as a reminder of how powerful the Dingles can be.

This played delightfully into Tom’s incarcerated hands. Not only did it clue him in on the fact that he was back inside Belle’s head, Cain had cleanly handed him a manipulation plot to get Belle to visit him herself.

What a perfect situation for Tom, who was easily able to convince Belle he’s changed.

Of course he hasn’t! He’s as evil as ever and the not-so-savvy Dingles are doing all the hard work for him! Even Sam (James Hooton) is about to offer himself up for Tom’s taking.

Tom has wormed his way back into Belle Dingle’s head (Picture: ITV) Sam Dingle visits Tom in prison (Picture: ITV)

The Dingle family are at odds over Cain’s actions as Samson is hit with a dire legal situation and an extended sentence. Sam turns violent on Cain for his part in Samson’s lengthier sentence.

Feeling like he needs to do something for his son, Sam visits Tom himself.

He begs him for leniency and Tom is inwardly giddy at the power he has over this family. That’s three Dingle visits already and he’s not even out yet.

With this latest opportunity in front of him, Tom seizes it – he blackmails Sam into doing his bidding. He gets Sam to put flowers on Jimmy’s grave, leaving Nicola terrified of who could have put them there. What will be Tom’s next move?

Add as preferred source