Emmerdale’s Tom King took his abuse storyline against Belle Dingle to a new level on Thursday’s (August 15) episode, as he made a sinister threat to his estranged wife.

Emmerdale’s Belle Dingle was in for a grim surprise as Tom King took his toxic manipulation to new heights during Thursday’s (August 15) instalment of the ITV soap. After a short break in Scotland away from the drama, Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) returned only to find her estranged hubby’s antics escalating.

Their marriage hit the rocks last month after an unsettling trip to a Welsh ghost town. While away, Belle discovered Tom’s secret job opportunity and violent outbursts soon followed. Belle legged it from their getaway pad with her pooch Piper and never looked back.

Strong-willed Belle managed to distance herself from Tom, yet he’s been spiteful, freezing her out financially and spreading vile rumours about her getting cosy with Vinny Dingle (played by Bradley Johnson).

A little getaway ensued as Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) encouraged her to visit her old man in Scotland away from Tom. But now, back on her home turf, Belle sees her husband has lost it completely.

Tom tried to worm his way back into Belle’s good graces with fancy wheels, but Belle wasn’t biting. “The reason I won’t accept it is because I don’t want to get back together,” she laid down the law to a fuming Tom, reports the Express.

In a stomach-churning twist, Tom resorted to threatening to take his own life if Belle wouldn’t commit to fixing their fractured union. Belle, desperate for breathing space, insisted they cut ties temporarily.

In a chilling development on the Dales, Tom had been secretly installing cameras in the cottage, enabling him to invasively watch Belle shower and sleep right from his smartphone.

Emmerdale viewers were utterly appalled by Tom’s vile scheme to spy on Belle, with the outrage spilling over onto the web.

An upset fan took to social media, posting: “Tom being in the house and also watching Belle when she has no idea is the creepiest sh*t I’ve ever seen #emmerdale.” (sic)

Another viewer blasted out in horror: “Tom testing new cameras to spy on Belle the creepy **** #Emmerdale.” (sic)

While yet another added their voice saying: “Ah that’s a step to far, Tom installing cameras to spy is bad enough but in the bathroom ffs the sick t***.” (sic)

Echoing the sentiments, someone else expressed: “Dear Lord. Tom is seriously sick #Emmerdale”. (sic)

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX