ITV Emmerdale viewers were left fuming after Wednesday’s episode as they accused Lydia Dingle of failing to help her niece Belle Dingle who is being abused by her estranged husband Tom King.

Emmerdale viewers are absolutely livid with Lydia Dingle (played by Karen Blick) for apparently turning a blind eye to Belle Dingle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) desperate pleas for help.

In the episode aired on Wednesday (September 4), poor Belle was seen helplessly watching her abusive ex-husband Tom King (James Chase) getting cosy with an oblivious Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell).

Tom, the dastardly vet, has been inflicting physical and mental torture on Belle for ages, yet his vile behaviour keeps getting overlooked. The situation escalated for wedding planner Belle when she left their toxic marriage, only to find Tom creepily monitoring her every move, faking the death of her dog, and chillingly threatening that she’ll never escape him.

A distraught Belle sought refuge on the church steps, eyeing her ex as he wrapped an arm around Amelia. Lydia stumbled upon Belle and invited her over for a cuppa and a heart-to-heart, reports the Express.

However, during their chat, Lydia completely missed the signs of Belle’s anguish as she continued to suffer under Tom’s controlling behaviour.

Initially, Lydia offered Belle some comfort and suggested she move into the family home to avoid being isolated in her cottage.

Lydia then started giving advice on how to handle a break up from a long-term partner, but Belle’s response was one of utter hopelessness as she expressed a wish for Tom to be dead.

“You don’t mean that, not really”, Lydia urged her to talk about her emotions, but their conversation quickly went south.

Viewers took to social media fuming over the mishandling of Belle by Lydia. One fan ranted on X: “I used to like Lydia but I can’t stand her now, seriously, she needs to clear off…” Another disappointed viewer called Lydia out: “Lydia once again failing Belle spectacularly #Emmerdale”, while someone else piled on with: “Lydia, Belle talking about feelings and what’s going on, none of you people isn’t listening to you #Emmerdale.”

Don’t sugarcoat it, folks: “Stop patronising her Lydia #Emmerdale”, blasted another fan.

One viewer wanted better for Belle: “I really wish Belle could have someone decent in her life to confide in. Lydia is as useful as a catflap in a submarine”.