The Emmerdale cast is full of talented actors who are able to impress the viewers all through the year. But two actors in particular have been getting a heap of praise after last night’s episode (Thursday, December 19).
Eden Taylor-Draper and James Chase, who play Belle Dingle and Tom King, have been inundated with support and applauds from the audience as their domestic violence storyline came to an end.
Fans praise Eden and James’ performances on the soap (Credit: ITV)
James and Eden have played the storyline successfully
James made his debut on the soap in March 2023. Since then he has played the villainous Tom King exceptionally well, making viewers genuinely believe every word he said.
As for Eden, she has been a part of the Emmerdale cast since she was eight years old, and she never disappoints.
Together, the pair have created a lasting effect on the viewers, and their powerful performances will not be forgotten. And hopefully will win them very deserved awards.
Last night saw the jury find Tom guilty on all charges, and sentenced him to three years in prison. And while many believe that was too little, it’s unfortunately the harsh reality that Emmerdale were trying to portray.
After last night’s episode, many fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to applaud both actors for their performances.
Despite their storyline, the Emmerdale cast are friends off-screen (Credit: ITV / YouTube)
Fans praise the Emmerdale cast members
One wrote: “Fair play to James for playing the character so so well. Every time Tom came on my screen, I wanted to throw my remote at the TV. Amazing work.”
Another added: “Never, ever thought I would cry at an episode of Emmerdale – but WOW! Coercive and domestic abuse storyline brilliantly played by Eden Taylor-Draper and James Chase. Hopefully, well deserved awards coming their way.”
A third penned: “Not one to usually tweet about soaps. But a fulfilling conclusion to an important storyline on Emmerdale. Eden and James have portrayed the characters and storyline incredibly well over the course of the year. Both of them are incredible actors.”
“Eden is out doing herself tonight – absolutely phenomenal. And James is delivering an amazingly evil manipulative performance by Tom. Well done to both. And well done Emmerdale for this storyline.”
With Tom in prison, we can only imagine that Belle is about to go on a whole other journey of recovering, and trying to look at the future. And we’re sure Eden will continue to do wonderfully.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.Â
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.
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Tom actually had buried an empty coffin, cruelly having Belle believe that Piper’s body was inside.
He then secretly handed a very much alive Piper over to some new owners, making out that Belle had treated the pup horribly.
In festive scenes though, as Tom’s comeuppance looms, Belle and Piper are about to reunite. And, we’re so ecstatic. It’s sure to be music to many ears!
Eden has revealed all on Piper’s return (Credit: ITV)
Piper the Dog and Belle reunite at Christmas on Emmerdale
Speaking to Emmerdale Insider and other media, Eden Taylor-Draper revealed that Piper the Dog returns back into Belle’s arms at Christmas, thanks to the help of Gabby and Vinny.
Eden shared: “She [Belle] can’t get it out of her head, he’s [Tom’s] lied about so many things and she just thinks we never actually saw the evidence. Yeah, we buried a casket, but who knows what’s in there?”
Belle and Vinny then decide to dig up Piper’s casket and realise that it’s empty. The search for Piper then begins.
Eden teased: “It’s actually Vinny and Gabby that end up tracking her down, getting in touch with the people who Tom gave Piper to, and explain the situation.
“At Christmas, Belle is by her dad’s grave having a moment, and then all of a sudden you just see Piper running up with a bow.” What an emotional moment!
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
Tinkerbelle Lisa ‘Belle’ Dingle is a member of the iconic Dingle family in Emmerdale.
Poor Belle was a promising businesswoman and wedding planner at Take A Vow until her abusive marriage to Tom King derailed her plan.
Now she’s lost her beloved dad, Zak, is struggling to cope with the fallout of her marriage, and is generally finding it hard to get through every day.
So what’s Belle all about?
She’s been through the ringer since her surprise birth! (Credit: ITV)
Who is Belle Dingle in Emmerdale?
Belle was the youngest daughter of Zak Dingle and the only child of his late wife, Lisa Dingle. She has six half-siblings – Nathan, the late Ben and Butch, Sam, Cain and Tina Dingle, who’s just shown up in the village for the first time in almost 30 years.
Belle was born and raised in Wishing Well Cottage and as the youngest of her brothers and sister was doted on by the rest of the Dingle family. She made her first appearance on Christmas Day 1998 and viewers have watched the character grow up on screen.
Belle is a smart and educated cookie, but very much a Dingle at heart.
The part was originally played by twins Emily and James Mather. James stopped appearing in 2000 and Emily in 2005 when Eden Taylor-Draper took over the role.
Belle’s journey has been nothing short of dramatic. Her storylines have included a surviving a near-fatal fall down a mineshaft, accidentally killing her best friend, an affair with a married man, faking a pregnancy and a battle with schizophrenia.
In February 2024, Belle married her ex-boyfriend and village vet, Thomas King. The pair originally dated as teenagers and reconnected when Tom returned to the village after several years living abroad.
Sadly, married life has not got off to a happy start for Belle, who has fallen victim to her husband’s coercive control.
The new parents were surprised by her arrival! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Belle’s dramatic arrival
Belle’s arrival was nothing short of memorable. She was born in the pigsty of Wishing Well Cottage on December 25, 1998 – and her mum, Lisa Dingle had no idea she was pregnant.
Local vet Paddy Kirk delivered Belle into the world – and Zak fainted in shock to find out he was a dad again for the seventh time.
Keeping in the Dingle tradition for unusual monikers, Lisa and Zak named their little Christmas miracle Tinkerbelle, Belle for short.
Zak decided to become a stay at home dad, but the realities of looking after a baby quickly sunk in. Belle was always incredibly close to her mum, Lisa, who sadly passed away in May 2019 – just days after revealing she had been diagnosed with amyloidosis.
Dad Zak died earlier this month, leaving the Dingles devastated.
Belle’s brush with death
Belle was a strong-willed and adventurous child – something which often landed her in danger.
Tragedy almost struck in 2005 when Belle fell down a mine shaft after chasing after friend Daz Eden’s pet ferret Spike. Daz went to Belle’s aid and ended up falling into the shaft too.
The pair nearly drowned in the freezing water, but were rescued by the Dingles and fire brigade.
Belle didn’t mean to kill her friend (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Belle Dingle turns killer in Emmerdale
Belle’s teenage years took a very dark turn when she accidentally killed her best friend, Gemma Andrews.
Back in 2014, the pals became love rivals when they both caught feelings for local lad Sean Spencer. Belle had been dating Sean’s mate, Tom King (who she’s now married to), but then she and Sean began growing closer.
They made plans to sleep together, which were scuppered when Belle discovered Gemma was pregnant with Sean’s baby. Belle and Gemma promptly fell out and engaged in a nasty classroom spat, which resulted in Belle being suspended.
The girls’ final verbal slanging match, which took place in the dark of night, turned physical. Gemma slapped Belle – who responded by pushing her friend to the ground, which caused her to hit her head on a rock.
The morning after the freak accident, Gemma was discovered unconscious and rushed to hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Unable to live with the guilt, Belle turned herself into the police on the day of Gemma’s funeral and was sentenced to three years in a youth facility on the grounds of manslaughter.
After appealing her sentence, Belle was released after a year, but the trauma of Gemma soon led her to spiral into despair.
The voices wouldn’t leave Belle alone (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Belle’s mental health crisis
Belle was left deeply traumatised by Gemma’s death and her subsequent imprisonment. She struggled to adapt back to life after her release from the young offenders’ centre.
She rebelled by dying her hair black and befriending local weirdo Lachlan White.
Belle also started to hear Gemma’s voice in her head, instructing her to do dark things – such as trash the local shop, attack her friends and try to overdose on painkillers.
Zak and Lisa soon realised their daughter was having a mental health crisis and referred her to a psychiatrist.
Belle made an attempt on her life, but was saved by her half-brother, Cain. She was then sectioned in a psychiatric hospital to recover.
He was not the guy for her (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Affair with Dr Bailey
The first big love in Belle’s life, was Jermaine Bailey – the married GP who she had a passionate affair with at just 17.
Her family strongly disapproved of the relationship and put pressure on the doctor to end it.
Belle eventually tired of all the sneaking about and told Jermaine’s wife Angie she’d been sleeping with her husband. Jermaine was fired from his job at the surgery. He made plans to leave, but Belle made him stay by claiming she was carrying his kid.
Belle, who was in the grips of schizophrenia, carried on the fake pregnancy until Angie realised what was happening and outed her to her family.
Shortly afterwards, Belle experienced a complete breakdown and spent time living rough on the streets.
She was eventually found, diagnosed with schizophrenia and sent to a specialist unit in Surrey to recover.
Lachlan was thought to be Belle’s worst choice – until now (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Belle Dingle and her bad luck with men in Emmerdale
Belle hasn’t had the best luck when it comes to members of the opposite sex.
After Jermaine, she embarked on a dangerous romance with unhinged Lachlan White – who unbeknownst to her was a secret killer. When the truth did out, Lachlan kidnapped Belle and held her hostage.
She almost became his last victim, but managed to escape his clutches.
Belle also had a short-lived affair with Kim Tate’s son Jamie – which turned sour when he tried to frame her for a hit and run he carried out.
Belle’s relapse
In 2020 Belle suffered a terrifying relapse in her mental health after she stopped taking her medication then began to hear the voice of her late mother, Lisa.
Whilst experiencing a hallucination, Belle ended up stabbing pregnant Tracy Robinson in the hand. Luckily Tracy’s injuries were not life-threatening and she recovered.
Belle was hospitalised for a second time.
Happy ever after is not looking likely (Credit: ITV)
Belle Dingle and her abusive marriage to Tom King
Belle’s whirlwind romance with childhood sweetheart Tom King seemed like a fairytale but has ended up a nightmare.
The couple went out with each other at school before Tom moved away with his mum Colleen in 2013. He returned a decade later and rekindled the flame with Belle.
The couple became engaged, but in the weeks leading up to the wedding Tom began displaying signs of coercive control towards Belle.
After the wedding, Tom’s mental and physical abuse towards his wife increased as he isolated Belle from her family.
When Belle discovered she was pregnant, she had a secret abortion, terrified of bringing a baby into her abusive marriage. She told Tom she’d had a miscarriage, but he soon found out the truth and predictably went ballistic – using the truth against Belle.
After spending time with Tom in an isolated cottage in Wales, and suffering even more abuse, Belle finally found the courage to leave him.
But since then, Tom’s been increasingly manipulative. He’s dating Amelia Spencer and when Belle tried to ‘rescue’ her from her ex, and went to the police, things took an even darker turn.
Determined to get Belle to drop the charges, Tom pursued his wife with an axe.
Terrified, Belle fled for her life only to be cornered by a violent Tom. But he was the one who ended up with an axe in his back.
Now Belle’s trying to cope with the death of her dad, while Tom’s busy covering his abusive tracks, intending to blame Belle for everything.
How will she get out of this nightmare?
Eden is far happier than Belle in real life! (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Who plays Belle Dingle in Emmerdale?
Belle Dingle in Emmerdale is played by British actress Eden Taylor-Draper. Eden was born on 28 October 1997 and grew up in Selby, which is around 30 minutes from where the soap is filmed.
She joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2005, aged eight, and took over from Emily Mather who had played the part of Belle since she was a newborn baby in 1998.
Her other acting credit is an appearance in the 2009 short film The Cardiac Oak.
Eden has won numerous awards for her portrayal of Belle. 2007 was a stellar year for the star, who scooped Best Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards, Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards and Personality of the Year at the Yorkshire Young Achiever Awards.
Then in 2013, Eden won Best Young Performance at the British Soap Awards.
Eden’s personal life is thankfully a lot more settled than her on-screen alter ego’s. She’s in a long-term relationship with high-school sweetheart Ed Lewis.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.
Emmerdale fans have declared last night’s special episode featuring Belle Dingle the one they’ve “been waiting for”!
The viewers were delighted that after months of abuse, Belle finally turned to her family for help – but only after exploring what the future would hold if she didn’t.
Belle looked into the future and didn’t like what she saw (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale: Belle imagines her future
Belle watched three potential scenarios play out. In the first, she and Tom got back together and we saw her desperately sad and scared, and pregnant.
In the second, she begged Amelia to listen as she ran through all the ways Tom had hurt her.
But Cain overheard, and – in typical Dingle fashion – he attacked Tom leaving him fighting for life.
The third scenario saw Belle having made peace with her split from Tom and his new romance with Amelia. In scenes several years in the future, we watched Tom and Amelia plan their wedding, only for it to become clear that he was now abusing his wife-to-be.
Belle tried to intervene, but her attempts to help came to nothing. Poor Amelia was taken away in a body bag after “falling” downstairs, while Tom played the grieving widower at her funeral.
Belle wants to get away from Tom (Credit: ITV)
Asking for help
Having seen all those potential futures, Belle knew what to do. She headed to Charity’s house and begged her to help.
Eden Taylor-Draper is best known to millions as Emmerdale’s Belle King (nee Dingle). The Yorkshire lass joined the soap in 2005 at the tender age of eight when she took over the part from Emily Mather.
Viewers have watched Belle – and Eden – grow up on screen.
During her two decades on Emmerdale, Belle has been at the centre of several major storylines, including a battle with schizophrenia, an illicit affair with a married doctor, faking a pregnancy and the tragic loss of her mum, Lisa Dingle.
Eden is no stranger to acting out tough scenes, but this year has been particularly challenging as Belle has found herself trapped in an abusive marriage to new husband Tom.
The once bubbly businesswoman has found herself on the receiving end of Tom’s jealous temper as he’s attempted to control every aspect of her life.
Thankfully life away from the cameras is a far happier one for Eden. Here is everything you need to know about the star.
Eden, pictured at the 2023 British Soap Awards, has been in Emmerdale since she was a child (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Who is Eden Taylor-Draper and how old is she?
Eden Taylor-Draper is a British actress who plays Emmerdale’s Belle King. She was born on 28 October 1997, making her 26-years-old.
Eden grew up in the market town of Selby, which is situated in North Yorkshire. It is around 30 minutes from where the soap is filmed.
Eden’s real-life family is as close as her on-screen one.
She’s the eldest of five, and her parents Nicola and Richard also have son Sebastian and daughters Pollyanna, Francesca and Posy.
Things are not great for Belle right now (Credit: ITV)
Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle in Emmerdale
Eden plays wedding planner Belle King (nee Dingle). Born Tinkerbelle Lisa ‘Belle’ Dingle, she’s the youngest daughter of Zak Dingle and the only child of his late wife, Lisa Dingle.
She has six half-siblings – Nathan, the late Ben and Butch, Sam, Cain and Tina Dingle.
Belle has lived her whole life in the village, being born and raised in Wishing Well Cottage.
The character made her first appearance on Christmas Day 1998. Viewers have watched Belle grow from a tiny baby to a smart and accomplished businesswoman.
Belle was originally played by twins Emily and James Mather. James stopped appearing in 2000 and Emily in 2005 when Eden took over the role.
Belle’s journey has been nothing short of dramatic.
Her storylines have included a surviving a near-fatal fall down a mineshaft, accidentally killing her best friend, an affair with a married man, faking a pregnancy and battle with schizophrenia.
In February 2024, Belle married her ex-boyfriend and village vet, Thomas King. The pair originally dated as teenagers and reconnected when Tom returned to the village after several years living abroad.
Sadly, married life has got off to the worst start for Belle. Tom has revealed himself to be a jealous and controlling bully. The vet has subjected his wife to appalling physical and mental abuse, including deliberately burning her hand.
Although becoming increasingly more aware of Tom’s actions, Belle has been manipulated into believing she’s the one responsible.
What else has Eden Taylor-Draper been in?
Emmerdale is Eden’s first professional acting gig.
In 2007, at the age of nine, she appeared in a short film titled The Cardiac Oak.
Eden was by her sister’s side throughout her treatment (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
She supported her sister through cancer
In 2017, Eden’s family went through the toughest of times when her young sister Francesca was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Eden took a break from work so she could be by Francesca’s side while she underwent treatment at hospital.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2020, Eden revealed: “Chessie [her nickname for Francesca] had her bed and I had a little bed next to her.
“Mornings would be a snuggle, cup of tea and re-runs of Come Dine With Me. I tried to keep Chess as cosy as possible. We’d always say love you before bed, and that everything would be okay.”
Thankfully, Francesca is now in remission. The life-changing experience prompted Eden to become an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust.
She’s also taken part in the Great North Run for Bloodwise, a UK charity that raises funds into research for all blood cancers.
Belle’s love life might have turned into a living nightmare, but Eden’s couldn’t be more different. The actress has been in a relationship with her high school sweetheart, Ed Lewis, for eight years.
The cute couple first met while they were both pupils at Harrogate Grammar School. Ed, who’s not in the showbiz industry, frequently appears on Eden’s social media account.
Eden looked every inch the proud girlfriend in 2019 when she accompanied Ed to his graduation at Durham University, where he achieved a first class honours degree in geography.
The couple also regularly share gorgeous photographs of their travels together, including summer breaks to Italy and Croatia and a festive getaway in Austria.
Eden’s co-stars are like family (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Her Emmerdale co-stars are like family
Eden is super close to her Emmerdale co-stars and has come to consider many of them as her second family.
Despite there being 23 years between her and Emma Atkins (aka Charity Dingle), Eden says their unbreakable bond makes it feel like they’re the same age and more like sisters.
Eden also regularly hangs out with Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden), Daisy Campbell (Amelia Spencer) and Jessie Elland (who played Chloe Harris).
And in 2023, the four friends started their own book club called Rather Be Reading so they could discuss their favourite reads.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.
Tom King in Emmerdale is quickly becoming one of the show’s nastiest baddies ever as he torments his new wife Belle Dingle.
It’s hard to believe it’s less than a year since he arrived in the village to take the job at the vet’s, much to the surprise of the Emmerdale residents who knew him when he was younger.
So what’s Tom’s story? Here’s the lowdown on his shocking behaviour towards his wife – and his dodgy family background that means the way he’s treating poor Belle isn’t really a surprise!
Belle is in danger from her husband Tom (Credit: BBC)
Tom King arrives in Emmerdale
Tom, who called himself Thomas back then, arrived in the village in 2004 with his sister Anya. They were Carl King’s kids, with his ex-wife Colleen. And we have to be honest – they were pretty troublesome!
But what do you expect?
In case you’d forgotten, the whole King clan were pretty murky and Carl was the worst of the lot. He was a cheat and he murdered his own dad – who was also called Tom.
Not a nice person!
The older Tom King was also a master manipulator, his son Matthew was ruthless, and even Jimmy – the only surviving one of the four King brothers – has his dark side.
The King family were always trouble! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tom and Anya
So Tom and his younger sister came and went a few times, between 2004 and 2009, flitting between visiting their dad and their mum.
Then they came back again for their dad’s engagement to Lexi Nicholls. By 2010, they were staying in the village full time as their mum had to care for their injured stepfather – though they were still up to no good, and caused trouble for Edna Birch, and Ashley and Laurel Thomas.
Later Anya and Tom went to live in Saudi Arabia with their mum. But it wasn’t long before Tom returned, this time for his dad’s wedding to Chas Dingle.
The wedding ended in drama when Chas jilted Carl at the altar, knowing he’d been cheating with Eve Jenson. Carl and Tom both went to to Saudi Arabia.
Thomas and Anya tormented poor Edna (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tom King hits out over Carl’s murder in Emmerdale
When Carl was murdered by Cameron Murray, at first everyone – including Chas herself – believed she was the killer. Chas was even in prison for a while. She’d hit Carl over the head with a brick when he tried to rape her – but it was serial killer Cameron who finished him off!
Cain told Tom the truth about his dad. He was upset and blurted out that his dad was a rapist at the funeral service.
It was Edna, who Tom had previously tormented, who gave the troubled teen a shoulder to cry on.
Tom had an outburst at dad Carl’s funeral (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tom King the stalker
In early 2013 Chas Dingle’s life was made a misery by a creepy stalker who was sending her photos of her and Carl in the post, with her eyes scratched out. She was getting dodgy phone calls and generally her life was miserable.
And it turned out her stalker was Tom King, who’d secretly come back to Emmerdale!
He told everyone he wanted revenge on Chas for killing his dad – as everyone still believed to be true at the time – and persuaded his Uncle Jimmy to let him stay in the village.
Tom and Belle part one
Belle had a thumping great crush on Tom and even posed for provocative pics to entice him. They shared a kiss at Sandy Thomas’s 80th birthday party, but Belle’s parents, and Jimmy and Nicola weren’t happy about the romance.
So of course the teenagers found a way to see each other anyway! And when the truth was revealed – thanks to Tom kissing Belle in front of her furious dad, Zak – they decided to run away.
Belle and Tom planned to run away together (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Runaway lovers!
The pair stole Dan’s camper van and fled. But Belle’s mum Lisa was convinced Tom had abducted Belle, and reported him to the police.
When Belle told Tom that his dad was in the van the night he died, he got upset and drove back to the village. Belle went home, but Tom drove away again. The van was found at the airport and later Jimmy discovered Tom had gone back to his mum in Saudi Arabia.
And that was the last we heard of Tom King until he showed up in the village again last year.
If only the Dingles had remembered Tom’s past history with their family, instead of welcoming him into their lives again with open arms, eh?!
Things haven’t worked out as Belle hoped (Credit: ITV)
Tom’s abuse of Belle
Viewers have watched in horror as Tom’s controlling and punishing treatment of Belle has grown increasingly sinister and violent.
He’s turned poor Belle into a shadow of herself, doubting her own instincts and terrified of her husband. And now he knows Belle terminated her pregnancy, he’s planning revenge. He wants to drag her off to the deepest depths of Wales to isolate her even further.
Belle has realised the extent of his abuse, but will she find the courage to act on it?
Who plays Tom King in Emmerdale?
Tom is played by actor James Chase. When he first arrived in the noughties as a small boy, he was played first by Jack Ferguson, then by Connor Hill.
When Tom – who then called himself Thomas – came back to Emmerdale as a troubled teenager for a longer stint, he was played by Mark Flanagan.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.
