Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper admits there’s further turmoil ahead for Belle Dingle after harrowing Tom King abuse
Belle will be reunited with her dog Piper
EMMERDALE star Eden Taylor-Draper has admitted there will be further turmoil ahead for Belle Dingle.
Fans have been both engrossed and infuriated with the harrowing Tom King storyline on the ITV soap.
Eden, 27, has been at the forefront of a major storyline as her character Belle suffered both mentally and physically at the hands of her husband.
She was put through rounds of traumatic abuse behind closed doors at the hands of Tom (James Chase) with his coercive control tactics.
He burnt her with a hot tap, he instilled cameras in every room to keep watch of her, and the house almost caught fire when he locked her inside.
The corrupt vet also pretended that her beloved pooch Piper was accidently run over and k.i.l.l.e.d, before he gave the dog away to new owners.
In recent days viewers broke down in tears after they saw him get his comeuppance as he was put on remand after trying to flee.
But despite Tom finally getting found my the police and locked up, the actress has teased that there is more turmoil to come.
“I don’t think there will be an end point to that journey or that healing,” she admitted.
“Speaking to the producers and the research team, everyone is so passionate that this story doesn’t end when this side of the story ends.”
She continued: “There’s a whole other world to explore there. I guess this is the side you don’t often see – the aftermath and the healing.
“I’m really proud that’s something they are so focused on.”
Eden is also set to have an emotional reunion with her beloved Border Terrier, whom she thought was dead.
The Emmerdale actress hinted that the canine companion will be an integral part of the character’s journey going forward.
“I think Piper will be a part of that journey,” she remarked.
“Piper is everything to her and, I do think in a way, she’s saved her from this situation. I guess it is her little therapy dog.”
Eden explained that Belle will a journey ahead have to process and heal from what she was put through.
“I think justice would be the main thing that she wants and probably to just fully understand what she has gone through and start the journey of healing.
“Understanding and accepting that this is not on her and this is not her fault. She did not create this.”
“Obviously, Tom stopped her working so she has nothing really. I think she needs to start from scratch and build herself back up again.”
I don’t think there will be an end point to that journey or that healing.
Eden Taylor-Draper
The soap star gushed over the producers and writers of the soap, as Eden felt ‘honoured’ that she would be trusted to bring such a huge story to life.
“It has probably been my biggest year. It has been a huge honour and I feel so blessed, challenged and motivated,” Eden admitted.
“Every day I come into work and I just have the best time.”
She added: “To say how dark it has been I feel like we’ve really tried to embrace and tell that story. So, we’ve just put everything into it.”
Emmerdale continues on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
