Emmerdale fans have been left divided over an ongoing storyline that has seen Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) suffer devastating abuse from husband Tom King (James Chase).
And a popular star has now warned that there are more frustrating scenes ahead.
Over the last few months, Tom has asserted control over Belle, and though his behaviour has become increasingly disturbing, it has so far gone under the radar to everyone but Belle’s Mental Health care co-ordinator.
However, actress Emma Atkins has revealed that her character Charity Dingle will soon begin to recognise the signs of abuse, after noticing changes in Belle’s behaviour.
‘If anyone was going to recognise the signs of abuse it would be Charity because she’s lived and breathed it in her past,’ Emma pointed out.
Viewers will know that Charity faced horrific abuse at the hands of DI Mark Bails as a teenager, and has recently started going to therapy in order to deal with the trauma.
Knowing first hand how abuse can affect someone, Charity begins to notice how closed off Belle has become from her family and friends.
In a bid to get her away from Tom and encourage her to open up, Charity plans a girls’ night with Chas and Lydia Dingle (Lucy Pargeter and Karen Blick).
‘I think she starts to rouse suspicion in [Chas and Lydia] but I think not enough,’ Emma explained. ‘Due to the fact Charity’s been through such a traumatic series of events over the past couple of years and she’s going through therapy, they’re wondering if she’s maybe a bit too sensitive and raw to have a fully rounded view of it.
‘They’re thinking this could be an overreaction and we could end up looking really stupid and throw Belle under the bus, so we’ve got to be really careful about how we do it.
‘In the end Charity’s over zealous and Belle turns inward and all the girls say, “See what you’ve done? You’re the one with the issue.” It’s great writing because you can see how the girls would think Charity’s just barking up the wrong tree.’
When the girls’ night gets out of hand and sees Belle run straight back to abusive Tom, Charity is left gutted, but grows even more determined to help her out of her current situation.
‘There’s a moment after Tom calls her that Charity says she thinks Belle wants to open up but doesn’t know how to and she says, “It’s me, you can say anything.” Then she sees Tom in the background.
‘That was the pivotal moment, the only moment that she had and Belle chooses to go the opposite way and withdraw even further. From that moment on Belle shuts Charity out as well as Tom.
‘They see each other in the street a couple of days later and Charity says “I’m not going to interfere but please know I am here for you.” Because at the end of the day Belle is an adult. Charity can’t be controlling and say “You will open up to me.” You’ve got to respect your friends and your family. If they won’t open up you can’t push it.
‘So she says “I am the safe space if you choose it to be me, because I’ve been there.” I think Belle’s already closed the shutters, really, which is really sad.
‘People will be really frustrated by that, in a good way, because it shows you how this stuff goes on every day in people’s domestic lives and they’re living that hell.’
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Source: New York Post
