ITV Emmerdale fans distracted by Tom King scene after Belle Dingle twist

Emmerdale fans were distracted during Tuesday's episode by a shocking development between Tom King and Belle Dingle.

In the prior episode, aired on Monday (September 30), Tom was seen in agony at the hospital with his uncle Jimmy King, following an assault that had occurred the week before.

Officers came to get Tom's account of the attack, but he confessed to having no recollection, describing it as a "blank" and abruptly ending the interview.

But then, in a sinister turn, Tom rang Belle and angrily asked: "Don't I even get a hello? After what you did to me?" He then coerced her into visiting him at the hospital with a threat of "or else I'll tell the police everything".

The next night, Tuesday, saw Belle's relatives scramble to hide the truth about the incident, asserting it was in self-defence, while preparing for Belle to leave the village for Ireland. Yet, Tom sent a threatening text insisting she go to the hospital, reports Leeds Live.

At the hospital, Tom's manipulation escalated when he promised not to expose Belle to the authorities if she withdrew her abuse allegations against him, despite them being true.

Belle's distress grew as Tom persisted with his intimidation, where he even forcefully kissed her without her consent. Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers were left distracted over the scenes as they questioned how Tom was able to sit up in the hospital bed and appeared fine despite being attacked with an axe in his back.

One person said: "B****y miracle how Tom has recovered #Emmerdale", a different account put: "How come he’s looking like there’s nowt wrong with him? #Emmerdale", another said: "How can Tom sit up already oh wait this is soapland #Emmerdale" while a different viewer added: "How the f**k is #Tom able to sit up in bed, a day after having an axe in his back. When I can’t even move for a week after pulling a muscle in my back #Emmerdale."

Later at the hospital, Tom lied to the police and said it was two random men who attacked him, claiming he had never seen them before.

However, at the end of the episode, Belle headed to the police where she revealed the truth and handed in the weapon. Belle said: "I've attacked my husband in self-defence, he wanted to kill me, I'm a victim of domestic abuse."

*If you have been affected by this story, you can access free and confidential support from Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and digital support via live chat Monday-Friday 3-10pm. You can also visit the tech safety website to learn more about technology-facilitated abuse.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.