Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper reveals ‘unnerving and sickening’ twist in Belle Dingle abuse ordeal

EMMERDALE star Eden Taylor-Draper has addressed an ‘unnerving and sickening’ twist in Belle Dingle’s abuse storyline.

The actress, 26, joined the ITV soap in 2005, taking over the role of Belle Dingle.

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Belle Dingle is at the centre of a harrowing Emmerdale storyline[/caption]

ITV

The character has endured months of abuse from villain husband Tom King[/caption]

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Tom’s actions even included secretly recording Belle in her own home[/caption]

Rex

Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle, at the National Television Awards[/caption]

Over several months, Belle endured physical and psychological torture at the hands of her husband Tom King (James Chase).

Although she managed to escape the toxic environment, Belle’s ordeal was far from over.

Addressing the character’s struggles, Eden said: “I think it’s so hard because, you know, she’s been so brave in the episode that we saw where she tells Charity and she really feels like that’s the turning point.

“Then it’s all these little things that just keep happening or the control he has or certain people aren’t sure whether to believe her and then obviously she finds a camera.

“So she knows he’s been spying on her.

“I just think she’s constantly trying to stay positive and trying to, you know, have hope but he’s battering her down constantly.”

The actress added: “I think it’s the most unnerving, sickening thing that has happened so far.

“In terms of, you know, obviously there’s the physical side of it but mentally this is horrific because it’s in her home, it’s where she’s felt safe.

“I don’t think she can really wrap her head around it.”

Belle’s nightmare began at the start of the year, when she tied the knot with Tom.

However, it didn’t take long for the vet to show his true colours.

On the pair’s wedding night, disturbing scenes saw Tom drag his new wife to consummate their marriage on the sofa.

Further abusive behaviour has included forcing Belle’s hand into boiling water.

In a cruel twist, he also staged the supposed death of her beloved dog, Piper.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

With his sick abuse finally exposed, Tom made his exit from the village.

Friends and family turned their back on the villain, but it doesn’t appear he’ll be gone long.

Will Belle somehow get justice for what has happened to her?

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

ITV

The characters tied the knot at the start of the year – and it didn’t take long for Tom to show his true colours[/caption]