Emmerdale viewers are convinced that Belle Dingle didn’t actually attack Tom King with an axe, and it’s another villager who did the deed.

Tom (played by James Chase) has been tormenting his wife Belle (portrayed by Eden Taylor-Draper) for months. She finally confessed the truth to her family and broke things off with Tom, desperate to break free from his control.

Earlier this week, Belle courageously decided to report Tom’s abuse to the police after finding hidden cameras in her cottage, proof that he had been spying on her.

However, when Tom’s new flame, Amelia Spencer (played by Daisy Campbell), discovered Belle’s plan, she spilled the beans to him. Later, in a terrifying twist of events, Tom let himself into the Dingle house leaving Belle frozen with fear.

Tom then assaulted Belle but it wasn’t long before Belle spotted and seized a chance to escape, grabbing a nearby hunting rifle, reports Leeds Live.

Sadly, Tom quickly followed with an axe in hand. Belle found refuge in a cottage flat but was eventually located and, in a shocking move, Tom hacked down the door to reach Belle.

Meanwhile, Belle’s family, Sam (James Hooton), Lydia (Karen Blick) and Vinny (Bradley Johnson) were left horrified after learning Belle was with Tom, and tried to locate her.

In a tense Emmerdale face-off, Belle and Tom stood their ground in the cottage flat. Tom dropped his axe, taunting Belle to take her shot.

She squeezed the trigger only for the safety to kick in, sparing Tom. He wasted no time, unlocking the safety himself and now pointing the gun directly at a trembling Belle.

As Belle’s life hung by a thread, Tom was caught up admiring his reflection in a fragmented mirror. But the next moment, an axe blow took him down from behind.

The camera swivelled back to reveal a shocked Belle, suggesting she might be the assailant. Yet, the fans aren’t convinced it was her hand wielding the axe.

Emmerdale viewers have hit social media with their detective hats on. On one Emmerdale fan page, a viewer is adamant it wasn’t Belle, having studied the footage: “After watching it over and over again I don’t think it was Belle.”

Another is placing bets on Vinny, chiming in with: “I didn’t expect that but I don’t think Bell killed him it might be Vinny.”

The theories don’t stop there, with another hoping for it to be Vinnie, doubting the others could’ve made it in time.