Emmerdale star responds to Tom's final evil plan

Note: This story discusses topics including suicidal ideation/thoughts.

Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper has responded to Tom King's final evil plan.

The villain will be facing charges of coercive controlling behaviour and assault, after abusing his wife Belle. However, as the trial approaches, Tom will enact one last scheme as he attempts to escape justice.

Next week's scenes will see Tom try to prevent Belle from testifying. After a 'code red' in his prison cell, Tom is rushed to hospital. Belle is shocked to find out that Tom tried to take his own life.

ITV

What to Read Next

She begins to spiral and worries about testifying against him if he's genuinely struggling with his mental health. However, Charity Dingle realises that Tom has faked the incident to manipulate Belle again.

Speaking about Belle's state of mind, Taylor-Draper explained that her character is "very conflicted and confused", as Tom had previously pretended to take his own life at the cottage in Wales.

"So now she doesn't know what to believe. Whether this is real or not. Everyone around her is saying he is doing it again – he's trying to play you, to get in your head," she said. "But she hates the thought of having his life on her shoulders, so I think she is trying to just navigate it as best as she can."

ITV

The actor continued: "But it's obviously a horrible time for her. She doesn't really want to commit either way as to whether it was a genuine attempt by him or that he's playing her again; she doesn't want the responsibility of that decision."

Taylor-Draper also addressed the stress of the trial and Belle's doubts about whether she can "stand up and face him in court", as "he still has such power over her".

"Or if she does manage to face him and put all of her cards on the table and Tom manages to still get his way out of it – as she feels he does with everything," she added. "Belle isn't sure how she would then cope and carry on life."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.

Readers in the US are encouraged to visitmentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk), New Beginnings Peer Support (www.newbeginningspeersupport.com) 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.