James Chase is reportedly leaving Emmerdale later this year following the conclusion of his character Tom King's coercive control storyline.
Tom - son of the late Carl King - returned to the village after a 10-year absence in 2023, with Chase taking over as the fourth actor to portray the role.
After reconnecting with uncle Jimmy (Nick Miles), the vet soon got involved in a whirlwind relationship with Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and the pair tied the knot earlier this year.
The sinister foreboding began on their wedding night, however, as he berated his new bride back at home - and the behaviour has escalated ever since, involving physical violence, emotional abuse, manipulation and even drugging Belle's pet dog Piper.
The storyline will reach a "dramatic" conclusion later this year, according to The Sun, although it is currently unclear whether Tom will leave the village alive or exit in a bodybag.
"It's the right time [for James] to leave," a source said. "James has loved his time on the show playing such a powerful story but the truth is that characters like Tom have a shelf life for a reason.
"There's no long-term redemption for Tom coming - he has to leave one way or the other. And either way it will be dramatic.
"James is rightly proud of the part he's played in raising awareness of the issue with the story but it's time to go and spread his wings."
Emmerdale continues weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Neil Wilkes
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