Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale villain Tom King is currently at the centre of the show's biggest ongoing story as he continues to make his wife Belle's life a misery.
The ITV soap is exploring the issue of domestic abuse with the couple's storyline, which began last October when a flashback scene showed Tom pushing Belle to the ground at home.
Tom's controlling and violent behaviour has rapidly worsened since he married Belle in February, leaving fans to wonder when his inevitable downfall will air.
Here's everything we know about the future of the storyline.
When will Emmerdale's Tom King be caught out?
So far, Emmerdale bosses haven't given an exact timeline for the future of Tom and Belle's storyline, but it seems unlikely that his comeuppance will air anytime soon.
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The show's team have been plotting Tom and Belle's story since last year and they always intended to illustrate how domestic abuse can take place over a long period of time.
Emmerdale chiefs have been working with charities like Refuge as part of their research to ensure an accurate portrayal of the important issue.
Speaking in February, producer Laura Shaw commented: "Soaps are in the extraordinary position of being able to highlight what happens behind the public face of an abusive relationship, over a longer period of time.
"The audience knows these characters so well, sometimes as well as they might know their own friends and family and they care deeply about them.
"As harrowing as it can be to watch this type of storyline play out, it's imperative that we use our platform to shine a light on domestic abuse, and help give a voice to people who have so often been silenced."
Emmerdale's team are also taking care to show how domestic abuse can take many forms, including coercive control, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and technology-facilitated abuse.
Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle, recently addressed the length of the storyline in a chat with TV Times magazine.
She said: "It's hard. Speaking to the charities and to victims of abuse, it's not as simple as: 'He's done this, therefore I will leave him'.
"It's such a trapping thing, which is why I think it's so brilliant that we are telling this story over a long period of time.
"I don't know what it would take for her to get out, but I know in a lot of instances, people don't get out – it's not even a possibility for them."
Emmerdale Tom and Belle spoilers – what's the future of the storyline?
Official spoilers released by Emmerdale have revealed a new twist in the storyline next week, as Tom starts trying to manipulate the villagers by painting Belle as the abusive one in their marriage.
The show seemed to sow the seeds for this aspect of the storyline several weeks ago. After Tom spilled the ashes of Belle's late mum Lisa during an argument, Belle stood up to Tom and told him that she hated him.
Local vicar Charles Anderson witnessed the argument and seemed intrigued by Belle's moment of anger. At face value, Belle wrongly appeared like the aggressor and it seems likely that this scene was included for a reason.
Next week, Tom agrees to seek help for his violent and angry behaviour following an ultimatum from Belle, who has threatened to leave him by this point in the storyline.
Tom attends a doctors appointment with Liam Cavanagh, but he lies to the GP by implying that Belle is the problem in their marriage and she's exerting coercive control over him.
Later in the week, Tom provokes another row with Belle and makes vile comments about her late mother.
At breaking point over Tom's ongoing abuse, Belle pushes him over in the street – witnessed by Marlon, Rhona and Vanessa. Could this play into Tom's favour after the lies he's been telling?
How will Emmerdale's Tom be caught out?
Emmerdale hasn't released any details on the conclusion of Tom and Belle's storyline at this stage.
Considering the important themes being explored by the storyline, it's likely that the final chapter will be explored sensitively, potentially exploring Belle reaching out to loved ones or organisations for help.
While many of the villagers are fooled by Tom's manipulative behaviour, there have already been signs that he doesn't have everyone's support.
In early April, Cain Dingle seemed suspicious over the robbery that had supposedly taken place at Belle and Tom's home.
Tom had staged the burglary to manipulate Belle. He acted suspiciously when Cain started asking awkward questions about the incident and the police investigation.
Meanwhile, Vinny Dingle has expressed scepticism over Tom, sensing that the villain doesn't like him.
Tom has tried to make Vinny feel uncomfortable around him and Belle on several occasions. More recently, Tom put on a false show of friendship with Vinny, hoping to distract him from Belle by setting him up with a new girlfriend.
Elsewhere, Vanessa Woodfield was baffled by Tom's behaviour when he unfairly accused her of making him feel unwelcome at the vets' surgery.
In a previous storyline, Vanessa was one of the only villagers who saw abusive Pierce Harris for what he really was. Could she also help to unmask Tom's true nature as this story continues?
Some of the Emmerdale cast have also spoken about the future of Tom and Belle's storyline.
Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle, recently told Digital Spy: "I don't think there's anyone at home who's watching that story and not screaming out at the TV because it's so well done. It's been so well scripted and played excellently by those two – Eden and James [Chase, who plays Tom].
"I think at some point the Dingles will no doubt find out and then there'll be extreme anger and upset – and support for Belle, because the Dingles always come together to rally round to support whoever's in need.
"I think it's going to be explosive eventually. And for now it's watching it trickling out – it's watching it play out. It's brilliantly done but it's painful to watch."
Meanwhile, Zoe Henry – who plays Rhona – recently spoke about how her character will feel when the truth about Tom and Belle is revealed.
She said: "That will, of course, be devastating for her, but I hope Rhona can be there for Belle when Tom does eventually get exposed."
It's also worth noting that Tom has installed a camera at home to monitor Belle when he's not around.
Could this eventually work against him if his abuse of Belle is caught on camera and used as evidence?
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.



















