James Chase is returning to Emmerdale as Tom King

Can Belle keep Tom away from the village?

Emmerdale has revealed the village is in for a chilling shake-up as actor James Chase returns to reprise his role as the abusive Tom King later this year.

We previously watched in horror during a long-running domestic abuse storyline that exposed the sinister, coercive control Tom exerted over his wife, Belle Dingle, played by Eden Taylor-Draper.

From psychological abuse and cyber-stalking to harming the family pet, Piper, Tom’s calculated actions left Belle terrified and isolated.

Although his behaviour ultimately led to a conviction and prison sentence, Tom is up for parole, and his unexpected return in Belle’s life threatens to reopen old wounds and inflict fresh trauma on Belle.

Can the Dingles find a way to keep Belle’s abuser behind bars, and will Belle find the strength to keep free from Tom's psychological grip, or will he succeed in manipulating those around her once again?

Speaking ahead of his return, James Chase said "Stepping back into Tom’s shoes is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. He is a character driven by obsession and a desperate need for control, and it is both fascinating and challenging to step back into that mindset."

"The audience knows exactly who he is and what he is capable of, so the challenge now is to show the lengths he is willing to go to in order to get what he wants, even if it means dismantling Belle's life all over again. It’s a dark path, and I’m ready to see how far Tom will push it."

To which Emmerdale's producer Laura Shaw added "James’ return isn’t just about bringing back a familiar face; it’s about reigniting a complex and challenging story. When Belle gets the news that Tom is up for parole she's forced to confront a trauma she battled hard to overcome."

"With her family and new partner Kammy by her side, we explore the lasting impact of Tom's abusive actions on Belle as she fights to keep Tom away from the village."

Emmerdale continues Monday to Friday at 8pm on ITV1 with first look episodes available from 7am on ITVX