In yesterday’s (September 26) cliffhanger episode, viewers saw a horrific showdown between Belle and Tom King.

Belle agreed to meet up with Tom’s new girlfriend Amelia Spencer, thinking the pair would discuss her husband’s abusive behaviour. Unbeknownst to Belle, the meeting was a trick that left her locked in Wishing Well Cottage with Tom.

The villain once again showed his violent nature, hunting Belle around the Dingle property with an axe and taunting her. The terrifying scene ended as Belle plunged the discarded axe into Tom’s back.

In tonight’s (September 27) episode, distraught Belle told her family that she killed Tom. “I thought I was gonna die,” she told Lydia, Sam and Vinny. “I didn’t have a choice,” she added.

As Vinny went to check it out, he confirmed Tom’s lifeless body was laying on the floor. Meanwhile, Lydia and Sam comforted Belle, asking what had happened.

“I stuck it right in his back and he… he just collapsed,” said Belle, referring to the axe.

The shocked Dingles argued about the best course of action. Vinny suggested calling the police and telling them Belle was acting in self-defence, but Lydia wasn’t convinced.

Taking charge of the situation, she suggested they cover up the incident and instructed Belle to hide her injuries from Tom’s latest attack.

“Okay, so we’re all in agreement,” said Lydia. “We get rid of him for Belle.”

Later, Sam was horrified to find Tom had gone missing – suggesting he was still alive. He was found by Liam, who called an ambulance and took him to hospital.

It was later revealed that Tom had a collapsed lung with internal bleeding.

Meanwhile, Belle heard the news and rushed to see Tom. She told Sam and Vinny that she was “screwed” whether Tom lives or dies.

“If Tom dies, that’s another life I’ve taken. How do I live with myself?” she worried. “And if he survives, if he lands me in it, then my life’s over.”