Eden Taylor-Draper is taking a well-earned break amid her intense storyline in Emmerdale.
Eden plays Belle Dingle in the ITV soap, a character who has been physically and mentally abused by partner Tom King (James Chase) for the best part of a year.
While on a recent trip to Wales, things started to seriously change for Belle as Tom put her in danger time and time again. Desperate to escape her husband, Belle grabbed Piper the dog and ran from the Welsh cottage. She eventually managed to jump on a bus and make her way back to the Emmerdale village.
After this, Belle has slowly grown stronger and has stood up to Tom multiple times – and he’s hated every single second of it.
With this storyline drawing to a close, Eden has been given some time off from the soap. She recently revealed some updates from her holiday, confirming she has jetted off to Italy to enjoy sun, sea and relaxation.
On her Instagram, Eden shared multiple snaps of some incredible Italian views, enjoying wine, and small restaurants which no doubt serve up delicious food.
This coming week, Eden will take centre stage in an episode of Emmerdale that will focus on Belle’s future.
Belle will continue to stand her ground and push back at Tom but, when she is hit by a setback when making a Clare’s Law request, which can give access to a person’s history of violence or abuse, she is feeling more and more helpless.
This is coupled with her chilling realisation that Tom is still tracking and spying on her, before then discovering with a spine-tingling shock that he is getting close to Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell).
What comes next is Belle, whose history of mental illness has been weaponised against her by her cruel husband, wandering about the village in a haze, with an unsettling episode exploring three potential scenarios on how her situation may end.
The night before Tom has threatened Belle saying he will never give up on her. His words are the catalyst that propels Belle into a dream-like day, as what might happen in her future life is reflected back at her.
This will likely include her escape from the ordeal and, as horrendous statistics show, the danger that Tom could take her life.
Actress Eden Taylor-Draper, who has grown up on the show, told us: ‘I’m excited for everyone to see this “dream” episode as I feel it’s a great representation of what’s going on inside Belle’s mind and the constant fear even though she is no longer “in“ the abusive relationship.
‘It was a very special episode to film, I understand viewers will find it distressing and uncomfortable but I am so proud we are exploring this to its full potential to give people a real insight to what can go on.
‘I have worked with Tim O’Mara since I was so young and I get on with him so well and it was lovely to do something that felt very different.’
