Tom King’s (James Chase) exit from Emmerdale has been set in stone for a while now, but what we’re still yet to find out is how his final scenes will air.

Things took a turn for Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) a few weeks ago when DS Foy arrested Tom before he left the country.

This coming week, Belle will be supported by family and friends as Tom faces his trial.

Given this is a villainous storyline, Tom was always going to leave the Dales and the show, which means the new year will allow Belle to heal and start a journey without looking over her shoulder for the abusive character.

While Tom’s exit will leave Belle feeling hopeful, it will also leave Eden Taylor-Draper adjusting to life at work without co-star James.

Reflecting on this, the actress recently told us:

‘I feel like the past year I’ve seen James more than anyone else in my life, so it’ll be bizarre to not work together. This year feels like it’s been me and him throughout the entire thing, so it will feel bizarre but I think because we knew at some point the story was going to round off that we new it was coming. But it will be odd to come into work and not be with him.’

‘I don’t think there’ll be an end-point to that journey or that healing’, Eden added, discussing what the next part of Belle’s life in the Dales will look like.

‘Speaking to the producers and the research team, everyone’s so passionate that this story doesn’t end when this side of the story ends. There’s a whole other world to explore with it. I guess this is the side that you don’t often see, the aftermath and the healing. I’m really proud that it’s something they’re so focused on getting right as well.

‘For Belle to go and speak to women’s refuges or however she deal with it, I think that’ll be great to show. So I don’t think there’ll be an end-point to that. A bit like her psychosis, that’s always going to be a part of her. Instead of it being something she feels is holding her back I think hopefully it’ll be a strength.’

‘100% I think Piper will be a part of that journey’, she smiled.

‘In the cottage, I spoke to the writers about it at the time and they said in certain situations like this often it’s when something else is put in danger, that’s when the victim feels they need to do something. It’s not about themselves necessarily.

‘So when Piper was tied up outside, that’s when Belle was like, “That’s enough now.” Piper is everything to her and I do think in a way she’s saved her from this situation.

‘I guess it’s like her little therapy dog throughout all of it.’