Passenger viewers stunned as they spot Emmerdale’s Carl King 12 years after brutal soap exit

**Emmerdale viewers were quick to spot a familiar face in the latest episode of ITV’s Passenger (Image: ITV)**

Sunday night’s Passenger episode on ITV had a return appearance from a former Emmerdale cast member, who joined the show almost ten years ago.

Watchers of Emmerdale were quick to recognise a familiar face in Sunday night’s episode of Passenger on ITV.

In the third episode of the compelling new drama series, which many have compared to a cross between Stranger Things and Happy Valley, investigator Riya’s estranged spouse Nick was first mentioned. Riya was taken aback by his abrupt reappearance, but fans were also in for a shock.

Since Nick is portrayed by former Emmerdale actor Tom Lister, many fans were able to identify him right away. Between 2004 to 2012, Tom portrayed the antagonist Carl King in the ITV serial opera for eight years.

In a shocking turn of events that occurred during a live programme in 2012, serial murderer Cameron Murray famously killed him. Viewers were taken aback to see Tom reappear on film as Nick on Sunday night.

One admirer wrote on X, “It’s Carl King!” One more admirer said, “Bloomin’ Carl King.” Actor Tom, who was killed off in Emmerdale, has featured in the West End and appeared in Doctors and Casualty among other series.

**When a recognisable face made their appearance on Sunday night’s episode of Passenger on ITV, it was an Emmerdale star (Image: ITV).**

It happens in the midst of a dramatic twist, with Emmerdale viewers likening Carl’s on-screen son Tom King to his evil father. The programme revealed that Tom and his wife Belle Dingle would be the focus of a brand-new abuse plot, with Tom using coercion to manipulate and control her.

Tom’s level of control has increased in recent scenes as he watches her every step and puts a monitoring programme on her phone. In an effort to dominate Belle’s life and drive her away, Tom has been manipulating her.

Tom has taken pleasure in seeing Belle cry and struggle, all the while claiming she is to blame, from undermining her employment and attempting to have her quit to making cruel remarks about her family. Some viewers have drawn comparisons between Tom and his evil father; one commenter on X said, “What a creep, he is definitely his father’s son.”

Another said, “Like father, like son Tom.” “Tom turns out to be a scumbag just like his dad,” said a third admirer on Facebook. “How poetic would it be if Tom receives the same fate as his father?” another fan commented.