As Tom is axed by Belle in Emmerdale, all the burning questions we have after last night's jaw-dropping cliffhanger

Belle finally fought back against abusive Tom in Emmerdale last night – and boy did she fight back. Terrified and scared for her own life, Belle stabbed him in the back with an axe. But as he lies lifeless on the floor, the question is: will he survive?

In fact, we’ve got a few burning questions we need answering – but we fear it’ll be a while before we find out the answers…

Belle hid from Tom as he followed her (Credit: ITV)

What happened in Emmerdale last night?

Amelia tricked Belle into meeting her at the Dingles’ but then Tom turned up instead. After taunting her, then trying to manipulate her, he flipped, threw Belle to the floor and started beating her. She still stood up to him, though and took her chance when his back was turned. She grabbed Sam’s shotgun and escaped to a derelict building. Tom followed her and smashed in the door with an axe.

Belle then shot him, but she hadn’t taken the safety off the gun. He laughed and took it off her then held her at gun point, but as he turned round and admired himself in the mirror, she stabbed him in the back with the axe. Tom fell on to a disused mattress as Belle sobbed in shock at what she’d done.

All the questions about Belle and Tom we need answers to, Emmerdale

Tom lay lifeless on the mattress as shocked Belle looked at what she'd done (Credit: ITV) — Tom lay lifeless on the mattress as shocked Belle looked at what she’d done (Credit: ITV)

1. Does Tom die in Emmerdale after Belle stabs him?

Well, it’s the most obvious one, really, isn’t it? Will he survive having an axe stabbed in his back?

There are several reasons we don’t think Tom will die. One is that fans will almost certainly want Tom to face justice. The soap knows people weren’t happy when rapist Craig was killed off last year, as it was seen as an easy way out and Lydia didn’t get justice. Viewers are determined that Belle should get justice in the proper way for all she’s been through.

Also, show boss Laura Shaw shared with Entertainment Daily! and other media back in June: “We said right from the beginning that we wanted to tell this story as truthfully and as authentically as we can.”

Addressing the length of the storyline, Laura confirmed: “It’s going to run until the end of this year.”

So for it to keep going, Tom must survive, right? Right?

Terrified Belle hides behind a wall (Credit: ITV) — Justice for Belle (Credit: ITV)

2. Is Belle leaving Emmerdale after Tom attack?

Belle was frightened and held hostage by her abuser, but one thing makes us worried for her: she stabbed Tom in the back. This might make a self-defence claim a bit tricky. But hopefully the cuts and bruises on her and his fingerprints on both the gun and the axe will help her case.

There is also the fact Tom has been rather convincing that Belle’s mental health is making her lie about his abuse. He has Amelia and Jimmy fooled (okay, not great examples), but once upon a time Charity, Cain and Lydia were all taken in by it. So will the police think so too?

Could Belle be looking at a stint inside for this? Will the storyline run with her inside until she can prove what really happened?

Emmerdale has not confirmed Belle will be leaving and as such a long-standing character, we can’t imagine she’ll be off any time soon. We need to see her recover and regain her strength and start to feel happy again.

Emmerdale's Tom runs through a field (Credit: ITV) — Tom will be leaving at some point (Credit: ITV)

3. Is James Chase leaving Emmerdale as Tom?

It was recently reported in The Sun that James will be leaving the soap as Tom King. Although Emmerdale hasn’t confirmed anything directly, it seems undeniable that he will be off.

James himself told Entertainment Daily!: “[Belle] needs justice for what happened to her and I think also the viewer needs that. From all the hell we’ve seen Belle get put through, we have to see her win in the end or at the very least, for him to lose.

“I think definitely at least prison, there needs to be at least that,” he added.

That sounds like James confirming his exit to us. But will it be now – or further down the line?

An ambulance is called to the village of Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)

4. What happens next?

Tonight in Emmerdale (Friday September 27) an ambulance arrives in the Dales. Presumably it’s for Tom, but can they save his life?

And who has called it? We know the Dingles are on their way to rescue Belle after Amelia let slip she was in danger, so will it be one of them?Or has Belle herself called for help from the emergency services? And will it lead to her arrest?