Emmerdale airs Rhona Goskirk warning ahead of Tom King's return in early ITVX release

This article contains discussion of domestic abuse, including coercive control, that some readers may find upsetting.

Rhona Goskirk (Zoë Henry) issued a huge warning ahead of Tom King's (James Chase) return to screens in Tuesday's (20 October 2026) Emmerdale.

Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was horrified when her victim liaison officer called round to inform her that her abusive ex-husband is due to be released from prison, where he had been serving a sentence for coercive controlling behaviour and assault.

She had solid support from boyfriend Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) and her family, but hearing that Charles Anderson (Kevin Mathurin) had spoken to Tom in his capacity as chaplain spooked Belle further.

She didn't believe that Tom was remorseful as had been claimed, so she decided to go and visit him to face her fear head on.

As the soap picked up from Belle's announcement, Kammy was concerned to find that she had spent the night on the sofa, alone and spiralling.

Belle pointed out that Tom would be loving what his news was doing to her, so Kammy urged her to take her power back.

Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) then arrived home from a fishing trip ahead of his hospital scan, and instantly picked up on the tension.

Between them, Kammy and Cain convinced Belle not to see Tom. But Belle was adamant that this would only make him worse and that he would come after her at the earliest opportunity.

Kammy was floored when Belle insisted she would have to move away, and that he could join her if he wanted, although she added that Tom was her problem alone.

Rushing out after telling a protesting Kammy that he just didn't understand, Belle was found by Rhona, who shared that she visited her own abusive ex, Pierce Harris (Jonathan Wrather) after he was jailed.

Pierce had also said he was sorry, but Rhona knew he hadn't meant a word of it.

Rhona attempted to reassure Belle that she was safe and her reactions were normal, but Belle recalled how Pierce had returned to the village to terrorise Rhona after he did his time.

As Rhona eventually encouraged Belle not to let Tom derail her life, Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) confided in Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) that she didn't know whether her late husband Jimmy (Nick Miles) would want her to support Tom, who had written to her after Jimmy's death.

Kev helped Nicola realise that Tom's despicable behaviour was bigger than any loyalty to the King bloodline, while Belle headed home, telling Cain and Kammy that she wasn't leaving and it was time to resume her life as it was before the spectre of Tom cropped up.

At the Woolpack, Belle and Kammy made plans for the following day, while Rhona had a quiet word with Cain, explaining that Tom could be more dangerous than ever and they needed to be prepared.

Can Belle and the Dingles get one step ahead of Tom?

Elsewhere in the village, Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) left us open-mouthed with a playful suggestion that the Sugdens could burn down the farm and claim on the insurance. At least, we think it was a joke!

This came decades after her dad, Andy (Kelvin Fletcher), set fire to the family barn with the very same moneymaking scheme, only to accidentally kill his adoptive mother Sarah (Madeleine Howard, Alyson Spiro), after whom Sarah was named.

Thankfully, history isn't going to repeat itself, as Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) was thrilled to be reunited with his poker winnings after thief Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) concocted a tall tale about how they had been stolen.

Sarah saw through Charity, and amid their existing estrangement, furiously blocked her from having anything to do with baby Leyla.

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 via nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

You can read more on Clare's Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, via this Gov.UK factsheet.

Read more:

• Emmerdale reveals who stole Robert Sugden's poker winnings in early ITVX release
• Emmerdale airs major Tate family twist - as Graham Foster returns with Joe's baby
• Emmerdale airs Vinny Dingle exit after 7 years with major sentencing twist in early ITVX release
• Emmerdale star teases "rocky road" for Sarah Sugden - and reveals hopes for Debbie Dingle return
• Emmerdale airs explosive Nicola and Sadie King scenes at Jimmy's funeral in early ITVX release

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.

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