The pair’s domestic abuse storyline reached a turning point last month as Belle walked out of her marriage to Tom, but the villain remains a free man.

Still affected by Tom’s many months of coercive control and manipulation, Belle hasn’t yet confided in anyone about his behaviour.

This week’s episodes see Belle return from a trip to Scotland to visit her family, which leads to Tom putting pressure on her for a potential reunion.

James spoke to Digital Spy about the future of the storyline while taking part in a nominees photoshoot for the Inside Soap Awards 2024.

We filmed an exclusive behind-the-scenes video showing the cast posing for their glam photos, which appear in this week’s issue of Inside Soap. You can see the full video at the top of this page.

Asked whether Tom will succeed in his mission to regain control over Belle, James told Digital Spy: “I think it’s definitely tricky for sure. I think she got stuff off her chest – the way she feels about him – and it’s clear that she’s not under his spell anymore.

“I think whatever strategies he follows now are going to be drastic – very drastic. But I think he has to be careful. She threatened to tell her whole family.

“It’ll be a different side of Tom, I think, almost detective-like. How can he get back with her?”

He continued: “I’ll be honest, when we did the Welsh holiday cottage week, I thought that would be a sort-of end of the story. I suppose it is in a way, because Belle’s had enough.

“From this point, their relationship does change – for the better for her, of course.

“There’s still more to be told. I agree that obviously Tom needs to be found guilty for this and Belle needs some sort of justice.

“She can’t just break up with him and get away from him – there needs to be more done, because otherwise who’s to say he wouldn’t just do this to his next partner?”

Tom and Belle’s issue-based plot has been nominated for the Best Storyline prize at the Inside Soap Awards. Additionally, James is up for Best Villain and Eden Taylor-Draper – who plays Belle – is in the running for Best Actress.

Reflecting on the nominations, James said: “It’s awesome, I feel very honoured for sure – because I know there’s been lots of great performances from across all the soaps. So I’m very thankful and it’s just good to be nominated.”

He added: “I think, across the board, and especially with this storyline, cast, crew, our producers, writers, everyone has just put in everything – blood, sweat and tears into this. Across all of our storylines and I think this is our year.”