Emmerdale fans are convinced that they know who will kill vile villager Tom King

Emmerdale fans are speculating that Tom King’s demise is imminent, with an unexpected character potentially orchestrating his downfall. The despicable villager, portrayed by James Chase, has been tormenting and manipulating his wife Belle Dingle (played by Eden Taylor-Draper) for months.

However, after a dramatic journey to Wales, Belle finally broke free and declared their marriage over. Tom has since taken up residence with the Kings, who remain oblivious to his true character. In contrast, Belle has returned to Dale Head after Tom informed her he had changed the locks.

Unbeknownst to her, he also made a key for himself and installed cameras in her home. He stooped even lower last week when he killed Belle’s cherished dog Piper.

In distressing scenes, he ran over the dog before seemingly administering a lethal injection. Belle has since realised that Tom was responsible for her pet’s death, but Tom is adamant about not letting Belle go, reports the Express.

However, with news that actor James is departing the soap, viewers are predicting that his character will meet a grisly end. While many believe it could be Belle or even Charity (Emma Atkins) who could kill him, others think it might be a notorious soap villain.

On social media, fans have suggested that Lachlan White (Tom Atkinson) could orchestrate his murder from prison. As long-time viewers will remember, Lachlan was one of Emmerdale’s most infamous serial killers, first appearing on the soap in 2014.

During his time on the show, he was responsible for the deaths of characters including his on-screen mother Chrissie Sugden (Louise Marwood) and his grandfather Lawrence White (John Bowe). Lachlan exited the soap in 2018 when he was finally apprehended for his dreadful deeds.

However, fans are now speculating that Lachlan could claim another victim: Tom. In a Reddit thread, one viewer asked: “What do you think Tom’s fate will be once his abuse is discovered? Will he be killed off or will he end up in prison?”

In response to this, another fan predicted a meeting between Tom and Lachlan in jail, saying: “I hope there is a big trial he gets sent down and it’s all over the news.

“He goes in his prison cell and his cellmate is Lachlan who shivs him to death then the credits happen but in reality he will be killed off in a who done it storyline that will go on for months,” they continued.

Another person commented: “Hopefully severe public humiliation, beat to within an inch of his life and then sent to prison only to discover Lachlan is his cellmate.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm