In Emmerdale this week, Tom King returned to our screens, leaving fans furious.
Back in December, Tom was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of domestic abuse and coercive control towards wife Belle Dingle.
Viewers thought they’d seen the last of Tom, but he made a surprise appearance after Belle confirmed her intention to divorce him.
Fans have now expressed their anger over Tom’s return, insisting that it “wouldn’t happen”.
Tom King returns to Emmerdale
In Tuesday’s episode of Emmerdale, Tom made a surprise return. He was seen in conversation with the prison chaplain about Belle starting divorce proceedings.
Tom spoke about wanting to sort things out with Belle, but told the chaplain that Belle was refusing to see him. Doing what he does best, Tom used hie powers of manipulation to encourage the chaplain to speak to Belle’s solicitor.
Still living in delusion, Tom was adamant that if Belle visited him they could iron out their “misunderstandings”.
“What if you spoke to her solicitor, said that we’ve been talking and you thought a meeting would help both of us?” Tom said. “You know I want to make amends. If she saw that, I know she would forgive me. As a man of the church, I think they would listen to you more than me.”
Later, Belle’s solicitor encouraged Belle to visit Tom as it could help speed up the divorce.
After the chaplain shared the news with Tom that Belle would be paying him a visit, Tom creepily said: “I’ve been dreaming of this moment. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for since I’ve been locked up… and I’m not about to waste it.”
Fans express anger over Tom’s return
Emmerdale fans were not happy to see Tom back on their TV screens. “OMG not again, is this not farcical when he was found guilty of controlling and threatening behaviour. It’s beyond belief!” wrote one viewer on Instagram.
Another fan said: “Struggling to believe Belle would have been advised to go and see the man who abused her to have an amicable conversation…leaving him with all the power once again, when will this nonsense end?”
A third fan said: “Here we go again. This absolutely wouldn’t happen,” with a fourth adding: “This is bonkers.”
A fifth fan wrote: “Thought we’d seen the last of Tom. Disappointed he’ll be back on our screens again.” With a sixth fan asking: “Do we really have to go this road again with Tom? Just leave it where he’s in prison because it’s getting unbelievable now.”
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
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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