ITV Emmerdale star has one word after tough Belle episode as fans issue demand

Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley had a one-word response after Thursday’s special hour-long episode focused on Belle Dingle.

The hit ITV soap aired a stylised episode focused upon Belle, played by Eden Taylor-Draper, and the domestic abuse she’s been suffering at the hands of her evil husband Tom King (James Chase) on Thursday night. Only recently the ITV soap has been tackling a coercive control storyline with Tom and Belle.

On Thursday night, the audience got to see three different potential future realities that could happen to Belle. The night before Tom had threatened Belle saying he will never give up on her. His words were the catalyst that propelled Belle into a dream-like day, as what might happen in her future life was reflected back at her. The episode ended with Belle bravely confiding in Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) about the abuse, who said it was an ‘honour’ she had confided in her and promised: “That man is never going to hurt you again…”

Taking to Instagram after the emotional episode aired, Belle star Eden’s co-star Lisa, who plays Mandy Dingle, had one word to sum up the scenes. Posting a snap of Belle in character, she penned: “The power of tonights episode-one word INCREDIBLE. To everyone involved-INCREDIBLE the script from start to finish-INCREDIBLE the impact of this storyline-INCREDIBLE and without a shadow of a doubt….. @swedentd performance each and every scene she acts-INCREDIBLE @emmerdale #emmerdale #belle #control #incredible #proud” with clapping emojis.

Emmerdale fans were quick to agree with Lisa’s sentiments while some soap viewers issued a desperate plea. Due to the episode featuring potential and future realities, viewers were quick to demand that they hoped the final powerful scene with Charity was real and not a dream.

One person said: “OMG got totally lost in that episode. I’m praying the last bit with charity was the reality bit” with a crying emoji, another put: “But telling Charity was real right? Right? #Emmerdale”, a different fan said: “Did Belle tell Charity now or in the future? #Emmerdale,” while another added: “I’m still confused is her telling charity actually what happened or is she thinking that in her head as one of the scenarios of how to move on & tell someone? #Emmerdale.”

Belle star Eden recently said of the episode: “I’m excited for everyone to see this ‘dream’ episode as I feel it’s a great representation of what’s going on inside Belle’s mind and the constant fear even though she is no longer ‘in’ the abusive relationship. It was a very special episode to film, I understand viewers will find it distressing and uncomfortable but I am so proud we are exploring this to its full potential to give people a real insight to what can go on.”