Emmerdale’s Tom left to die in violent attack – by surprise character from the past

Tom King is left to die after a brutal attack (Picture: ITV) We all know that Tom King (James Chase) is a bad man, but does he deserve to be beaten to within an inch of his life? One Emmerdale local certainly thinks so, and their actions will have huge consequences that could destroy one of the Dales’ biggest families. Tom was never going to get a hero’s welcome after news of his release found its way to the Dingles. His atrocious behaviour towards Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) earned him a stay at His Majesty’s Pleasure, but he’s now done his time and, according to Charles Anderson (Kevin Mathurin), has turned over a new leaf. Or has he? Belle knows he’s full of mind games and is fully prepared for the fact that he could try anything to get back at her – she believes he’s already been manipulating Charles. She’s scared, but ready, should she hear from him. What she doesn’t know is that she was sent a wreath of dead flowers, which Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) decided should be kept secret from Belle. The problem is, he’s got it wrong – he thinks it’s from Tom, but it’s really from a disgruntled client whom Belle accused of abusing his wife. Without the full story, Cain pays Tom a visit. Tom claims to be innocent. Cain doesn’t care. Cain’s actions cause turmoil for the Dingles (Picture: ITV) Elsewhere the family are preparing for Samson’s return, when Charles shows up with news for Belle – Tom has been beaten up and is in a critical condition. What timing, right after Cain’s visit. Cain doesn’t hide it either, he admits he organised the attack, and it transpires that he pressured Samson into doing the deed. This is terrible in more ways than one because not only has Cain instigated violence, now Samson will not be returning home. In fact, he’s looking at an even longer stretch. Sam (James Hooton) is crushed to receive a call saying his son will not be let out. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. All eyes are on Cain, who’s accused of going against his whole family and failing to care about his nephew. The argument escalates, with jibes thrown about Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) and Moira (Natalie J Robb), and Sam snaps – attacking Cain. Everyone and his dog is surprised by that one. Cain storms off as Sam dissolves into sobs. He eventually gets to speak to his son and learns just how bad things are. Belle, meanwhile, is left feeling a wreck – now Tom has one big reason to go after her, all thanks to her big brother. Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) tries to calm her down, but she decides there is only one thing for it – visit Tom herself. Belle Dingle and Kammy Hadiq come to an agreement at the hospital (Picture: ITV) Speaking to Metro, Eden says of Belle’s reaction: ‘She reacts pretty terribly when she finds out that Cain has orchestrated it. She’s just gutted and she can’t believe that the head of the family, in her eyes, has done this to her. ‘She’s stressed that Tom is in such a bad way and she feels horrific about that, and the fact that her brother has caused it is making it ten times worse because he’s put her in a much more vulnerable position than she was in pre that attack.’ Cain and Sam try to stop her going to visit, but she feels she has no choice thanks to their actions, and the brothers are left ashamed of their part in Belle’s pain. She heads to the hospital with Kammy, but leaves him outside as she heads in to speak with Tom. They make a promise – if she’s not out in 10 minutes, Kammy’s storming in. Belle takes a deep breath, and heads in to see her abusive ex. But what mind games will he play? Deals of the Day QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year This Hoover vacuum is a game-changer for pet owners and muddy homes The wellbeing brand behind everyone's favourite candles has launched its biggest sale yet See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that Arrow MORE: Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper confirms the Dingles will be ripped apart by shock Tom King twist Arrow MORE: Belle ‘oversteps’ in Emmerdale as she uncovers frightening ‘campaign of abuse’ Arrow MORE: New Emmerdale spoiler videos reveal a big victory for Robert Sugden The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.