ITV Emmerdale 'confirms' how abuser Tom will get caught out in double exit blow

Keen-eyed Emmerdale fans are sure the ITV soap has “confirmed” just how Tom King will get his comeuppance – and it involves two characters exiting the programme for good.

Actor James Chase joined the soap just over a year ago, but according to insiders his exit will come later in 2024 in the usual dramatic fashion.

And fans think the soap itself has given these reports credibility, as soap villains never tend to be redeemed – but are killed off or jailed instead.

That means there’s an “expiry date” on characters like abusive Tom, who has been controlling and attacking his wife Belle Dingle for months. And according to The Sun, sources have backed up the theory, with one commenting: “It’s the right time to leave.

“James has loved his time on the show playing such a powerful story but the truth is that characters like Tom have a shelf life for a reason. There’s no long-term redemption for Tom coming – he has to leave one way or the other. And either way it will be dramatic.”

Past abusers in Emmerdale haven’t managed a redemption arc and for good reason – with characters like rapist Pierce Harris killed off in prison. Rival soap Coronation Street saw domestic abuser Geoff Metcalfe murdered in a spectacular fashion – and it’s likely a similar permanent exit will happen for Tom.

Now fans have connected another possible exit from the show to Tom’s downfall – after similar reports that Nate Robinson star Jurell Carter has quit emerged.

A source told The Sun: “Jurell has loved being on the soap but he’s a young actor and it’s understandable he wants to spread his wings.”

Airing their theories on Facebook, one viewer penned: “It was said a while back that Nate was leaving Emmerdale and it was just recently said that Tom is also leaving. Now if the dots were to be joined up I am just wondering is it Nate that kills Tom and that is how Nate leaves the show?

“Even though Nate has not been part of the abuse storyline like Charity and Cain have been, just a thought on my part,” the social media user continued.

One fan was keen to agree, writing: “It’s likely. If you remember he was pretty close to Belle once upon a time, especially when he was disowned by Cain. The writers might suddenly start writing stories for him and Belle again and he might be the one who actually saw what others only saw halfway.”

Somebody else said: “Nate and Belle used to be close and chat about problems so I know he cares for her, so maybe?” But a fourth user argued: “I don’t think so!”

Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7:30pm on ITV1.