Belle Dingle proposed... but I won’t!
Trouble ahead for Emmerdale couple
Eden, who is reticent when it comes to revealing more about her real-life boyfriend, is far more candid when she talks about the sub-zero conditions she endured filming the wedding.
She says: “It was minus two in the village and so, under my wedding dress, I had Ugg boots on the whole day and heat packs all down my back! But it was fun filming the wedding and picking a wedding dress out for Belle.”
Now one of the soap’s longest-serving stars, despite being so young, Emmerdale feels like part of her DNA.
And she is incredibly proud of it winning Best Soap in this week’s TV Choice Awards,
“It means the world,” she beams. “It’s lovely recognition. I’m so grateful to be part of a wonderful show. I’m also so chuffed that Jeff Hordley won Best Soap Actor. It couldn’t have gone to a better man.”
The joyful news is especially welcome so soon after the death of Steve Halliwell, who played her screen dad Zak Dingle, in December.
Eden says: “Steve really was like a second dad to me. I looked up to him in so many ways – his heart, his talent, his hilarious storytelling.
“I feel blessed to have had him in my life and will cherish our memories.”
And, while many child actors feel they missed out on a normal childhood, she says: “I wouldn’t change things for the world. I definitely don’t think I missed out. It’s not a normal way to grow up, but I still got to see my friends and I made new friends at Emmerdale.
“It made me mature quicker as you are surrounded by adults. I feel blessed to have grown up at Emmerdale.”
In real life, Eden enjoys hiking in the Yorkshire Dales, as well as working as an Ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust, after seeing how much the charity helped her family.
Five years ago, her younger sister, Francesca, now 19, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and endured months of chemotherapy. She is now in remission.
Eden says: “The charity did so much for us as a family, so to be involved with it now is lovely.”
Meanwhile, her fans will be pleased to hear she has no plans to abandon playing Belle any time soon.
“I would love to play Belle for as long as everyone would like me to,” she says. And while Belle will become Mrs King tonight, she adds: “She is very much part of the Dingle family.
“They have been through thick and thin together and everyone can relate to them – as I can too.
“Just like the Dingles, my family is big, people scream at each other but at the same time, we all love each other. I can’t wait to see where the soap will take me with Belle.”
Citing some character traits she shares with Belle, she says: “We are both very family orientated and we share some of the same core values.”
Bursting into laughter, she adds: “But we are different. I’ve not accidentally killed my best friend, for one!”
Watch Belle’s Emmerdale wedding in an hour-long episode tonight on Virgin Media One at 7.30pm.
I wouldn’t change it for the world.. I feel blessed to have grown up at Emmerdale
EDEN DRAPER-TAYLOR ON BEING A CHILD SOAP STAR