Lost Belle’s Dingle dilemma!
EMMERDALE | ITV FRIDAY AS BELLE CHOOSES JAMIE OVER HER FAMILY, STAR EDEN TAYLOR-DRAPER KNOWS WHERE HER LOYALTIES LIE…
My Nanna isn’t happy with me because of what Belle’s doing!” confesses actress Eden Taylor-draper. “I’d say that my Nanna is the person in my family who watches Emmerdale the most, and has done since before I was on the show. I saw her the other day for the first time since lockdown – obviously she knows it’s not real and loves all the stories, but she did say, ‘I do not like Belle and Jamie!’”
We’re inclined to agree with Eden’s Nanna, as what started out as love against the odds for Belle and Jamie has recently taken a more sinister turn, now that his ruthless streak has slowly begun to emerge. And it seems the new relationship may be about to tear her away from her beloved family. Like Belle, Eden grew up in the Dingle family bosom after landing the role of Zak and Lisa’s daughter when she was just seven years old. So is the now 22-year-old actress pleased that Belle is flying the family nest in the name of love? Or is she of the opinion that blood is thicker than water?
“That’s a tricky one, but I think I’m a Dingle for life,” declares Eden, happily. “Up until now, Belle has been a solid, loyal Dingle, so it’s been hard to see her do this. I like the fact that she knows what she wants and is going for it – however, it just so happens that the man she has fallen for is a cheating Tate! If Belle’s not 100% happy, she needs to get out.”
Jamie and Belle’s romance has the hallmarks of a classic story, as they hail from two bitterly opposing families. Hard as it may be for Belle to disown her beloved clan, we’d actually love to see her marry Jamie, and give wicked mother-in-law Kim a run for her money – like only a Dingle knows how!
“Kim would hate it!” laughs Eden. “That would be really fun to play actually, as I’ve only had a few scenes with Claire [King, who plays Kim] where our characters have clashed, and it’s so fun because she plays the bad bitch so well.
“The Tates are an amazing family, but I could never go to work and look at my Dingles in the same way,” adds the star, weighing up the idea. “I’d feel like a traitor!”
The loyalty that Eden has for her onscreen roots, and also for the show that turned her into a household name, is so lovely to hear, especially as we’ve watched her grow up on the show. In fact, Inside
Soap can still recall the days when young Eden would come along to our glitzy photo shoots with her mum, and we’re pleased to report that she is still as sweet and grounded as she was then.
“My mum will be buzzing that you’ve said that!” exclaims Eden. “I do remember those days, arriving on the shoots and thinking, ‘Oh, my word, this is an outfit that I get to put on for a picture!’ Everything was just so exciting back then, and it still is. I never take it for granted.
“I do look at the younger cast members on the show, such as little Amelia [Flanagan, who plays April] when she first joined and think, ‘How was I that age on the show?’ I can’t picture it!” continues the actress. “I think it has just always felt normal. When I was at school, no one was that bothered, so being in the show and on TV has never felt alien to me, which is such a good thing, and why my friends are so amazing. I never thought back then that Emmerdale would become such a big part of my life – however, I can’t imagine being without it now.”
As Eden and Belle have grown up alongside each other, we can’t let Eden go without asking what she makes of her character’s journey – especially Belle’s taste in men!
“Her choice in men is shocking!” concludes the star, who has been loved-up with boyfriend Ed Lewis for four years. “Apart from this situation, Belle’s principles are that she wants to do the best thing. Belle doesn’t always go about things in the right way, but her intentions are good, and she has morals. I do really like Belle as a person!”
Jamie is a cheating Tate – Belle’s taste in men is shocking!