Emmerdale has confirmed that James Chase will return to the ITV soap as abuser Tom King.
In 2023, Tom arrived in the village and quickly connected with Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper), which eventually led to them starting a relationship.
This was the start of an absolutely horrific ordeal for Belle. As part of a domestic abuse storyline, Tom exerted sinister, coercive control over the much-loved character.
From psychological abuse and cyber-stalking to harming the family pet, Piper, Tom’s actions left Belle terrified and isolated from her friends and family.
Tom’s behaviour led to a conviction and prison sentence, but viewers will learn in future episodes that he is up for parole.
The character’s unexpected return in Belle’s life will threaten to reopen old wounds and inflict fresh trauma on Belle.
Can the Dingles find a way to keep her abuser behind bars?
How will the news about Tom impact Belle’s new relationship with Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah)?
And will Belle find the strength to keep free from Tom’s psychological grip or will he succeed in manipulating those around her?
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said of this story: ‘James’ return isn’t just about bringing back a familiar face; it’s about reigniting a complex and challenging story. When Belle gets the news that Tom is up for parole she’s forced to confront a trauma she battled hard to overcome.
‘With her family and new partner Kammy by her side, we explore the lasting impact of Tom’s abusive actions on Belle as she fights to keep Tom away from the village.’
Discussing his return to the show, James added: ‘Stepping back into Tom’s shoes is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. He is a character driven by obsession and a desperate need for control, and it is both fascinating and challenging to step back into that mindset.
‘The audience knows exactly who he is and what he is capable of, so the challenge now is to show the lengths he is willing to go to in order to get what he wants, even if it means dismantling Belle’s life all over again. It’s a dark path, and I’m ready to see how far Tom will push it.’
James Chase will appear on screen later this year as Tom King.
