What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Tom convinced he's a 'free man' and we honestly can't bear to watch him much longer

In Emmerdale tonight Tom King realised his plot to walk free was working as Belle spiralled at the prospect of him taking his own life. He smugly told his solicitor he was ‘basically a free man’ as Belle questioned whether she could testify. Sigh.

Meanwhile, Aaron and John opened up some more and Billy is a complete idiot who is boring us to tears.

Here’s everything that happened in Emmerdale tonight, Tuesday December 17.

Tom had Belle fooled, but not Charity who confronted him in hospital (Credit: ITV) — Tom had Belle fooled, but not Charity (Credit: ITV)

Belle spiralled after Tom’s stunt in Emmerdale tonight

Vinny and Charity were still on their anti-Tom bandwagon, with Charity firmly believing Tom has faked his suicide attempt. But Belle completely believes Tom really did try to take his own life. She feels sorry for him for goodness sakes. She was questioning whether she can stand up and face him in court because she can’t have his death on her conscience.

Belle went to see Paddy who tried to help Belle see this was not her fault. But he also told her he didn’t know whether Tom had meant it or not, he could not offer her the reassurance she needed.

Meanwhile, Charity got herself into Tom’s room and saw he was bright-eyed and bushy tailed. She knew she was right about him faking the whole thing.

Finally Charity got to say what she wanted to. Tom fought back, slimy and manipulative. But Charity told him he wasn’t a victim. However all her harsh words only made Tom realise Belle believed he had done it and she was spiralling. He was smug as Charity stormed out having made a massive mistake.

Tom was smarmy and joyful as he told Ollie he was going to stand trial and now that Belle is out of the equation he’s ‘basically a free man’.

More bad news came for Belle when the judge agreed her past with Gemma can be disclosed in court. Charity tried to tell her she had to testify, but Belle was still convinced his mental health crisis was real.

Seriously, she’s spent so long waiting for justice and now Emmerdale are sending her down this route. He is manipulating her again, and might win again. This storyline is getting exhausting.

Aaron and John's bond seems to be growing stronger every day (Credit: ITV) — Aaron and John’s bond seems to be growing stronger every day (Credit: ITV)

John opened up to Aaron in Emmerdale tonight

On the camping trip, Aaron and John woke up full of love, but when Aaron found Aidan Moore’s dog tags, John clammed up and refused to answer the questions.

Aaron wouldn’t let it go though and wanted to know who Aidan is. John wasn’t too keen on opening up, just saying today would have been Aidan’s birthday. There is definitely more to this than meets the eye and it’s about time Emmerdale told us.

John did confess he and Aidan were more than friends and he was the first person he felt anything for. He seemed to open up about everything, but is he being completely honest here?

Also in Emmerdale tonight…

Billy was an idiot

Billy and Dawn were having bangers and mash for tea tonight, but their excitement was dampened by bad news: Jai gave them a week’s notice on Holdgate. Dawn was grateful they had a back-up plan and could move back into Home Farm, but stubborn Billy refused to budge and won’t go. Get a grip, Billy.

Turned out he still hasn’t got one because before too long he had Jai in a head lock demanding a month’s rent back. Dawn told Billy they were moving back in with Kim and his pigheaded pride saw him tell his wife he wouldn’t be coming with her and his children.

There’s so many infuriating characters in Emmerdale at the moment, but right now Billy is very near the top of that list.

Brenda was shocked to hear noises coming from upstairs in Emmerdale tonight (Credit: ITV) — Brenda was shocked to hear noises coming from upstairs (Credit: ITV)

Brenda got the wrong end of the stick

Arriving with some leftovers for Pollard, Brenda heard him and Kerry shouting and moaning upstairs. Mortified, Brenda literally ran away from the house before confronting them later on. But they explained they were merely cleaning and Kerry had moved in as payment.

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.

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