Belle Dingle has opened up to her family about Tom King’s abuse in Emmerdale.

The soap has aired a format-breaking episode where viewers saw hypothetical versions of Belle’s future life depending on how she proceeded in her split from Tom.

Belle went round to Victoria Cottage to confront Tom in Thursday’s (September 5) episode after he’d previously warned he’d never let go of her.

She was alarmed to find Amelia Spencer having spent the night with Tom, as he continued to lead her on about a possible romantic future together to spite Belle.

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The episode explored different ways Belle could react to seeing Tom and Amelia together, starting with telling Tom she’d get back together with him as a way to spare Amelia.

Amelia was horrified to see Tom instantly agree to get back with Belle, though this was exactly what Belle was planning. Once they’d got back to an empty Dale Head, Belle revealed she’d tricked Tom into showing his true self to Amelia.

“Do you really think I’d ever get back with you after everything you’ve put me through?” she asked a shocked Tom. “I had to show Amelia exactly the kind of man you are.”

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Tom turned violent, grabbing Belle by the mouth and forcing her to the ground. The soap then cut to a glimpse of their possible future where Belle endured more physical abuse.

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The soap flashed to another potential outcome where she tried to warn Amelia’s surrogate mum Kerry about Tom’s abuse.

When Kerry went with Belle to break the news to Amelia, she was shocked to hear Tom had already filled Amelia’s head with lies about how Belle had supposedly abused him.

Cain overheard Belle’s conversation with Amelia and went to confront Tom. He turned violent, nearly beating Tom to death and getting arrested.

In another potential future, Belle successfully got away from Tom and restarted her career at Take A Vow. She looked on as Tom and Amelia showed up at the cafe to plan their wedding with Suzy.

Belle couldn’t escape the suspicion that Amelia was being abused by Tom, but when she tried to approach her, Amelia defensively denied anything was wrong.

However, it was obvious that Amelia was in a desperate state, and a flash-forward confirmed this as viewers learned Amelia later died under suspicious circumstances.

All of these possible futures culminated with Belle deciding to open up to Charity Dingle about enduring physical and emotional abuse from Tom.

Belle explained how Tom had slowly started exerting control over her life, to the point where her mood would always be dictated by his. Time and again, Tom manipulated Belle into believing the abuse was her fault.

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“Somehow, I believed him,” she confessed to Charity.

Charity said she “knew something wasn’t right” in Belle and Tom’s marriage, but she didn’t trust her gut when she found their holiday cottage in a state of disarray.

Belle explained that she’d hidden the abuse because she felt “no-one would understand” before Charity promised she was ready to listen.

“There is no rush and we’re going to do this your way, in your time,” Charity vowed.

As the pair shared a hug, Charity assured Belle she was “not fighting this alone anymore”. The episode concluded with the pair continuing to talk about what Belle had been through.

“I promise you, things are going to change,” Charity insisted. “That man is never going to hurt you again.”