Eden Taylor-Draper has played Belle Dingle on the ITV soap since 2005, after twins Emily and James Mather – who played the toddler from 1988 to 2005 – left Emmerdale

Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper stunned fans with her chic outfit as she shared pictures from the Inside Soap Awards.

The Selby-born star, 26, scooped the Best Actress gong at the ceremony on Monday, and celebrated with her Emmerdale co-stars as The Dingles won the award for Best Family. Eden, who has played Belle Dingle since 2005, posted snaps on Instagram showing off her outfit as she posed in a hotel bathroom before heading to the ceremony at the Salsa Temple in London.

Eden rocked a structured black mini dress by luxury British fashion brand Odd Muse, and is priced at £125. She finished off the look with her blonde hair slicked back into a chic bun, and gold accessories – including chunky gold earrings – to compliment the look. Eden has been part of the fictional village since 2005, when she took over from twins James and Emily and Mather, who had left the soap in 2000 and 2005 respectively.

Eden could be set to celebrate 20 years on the ITV soap next year, and since her arrival, she’s been involved in a string of gritty storylines, including killing her best friend Gemma, having an affair with Dr. Jermaine Bailey, faking a pregnancy, falling down a mineshaft and being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Belle is currently embroiled in another explosive storyline, after the young Dingle feared she had killed estranged husband Tom King with an axe.

Tom’s new girlfriend Amelia Spencer lured her to Wishing Well Cottage, and then locked her inside, threatening her with an axe. Belle fled the scene after seriously injuring Tom with the axe, and she feared she had killed him. Guilt-ridden, she confided in Charity, who convinced her to avoid speaking to the police, and talked her out of turning herself in.

Tom was axed in the back by Belle after he lured her to the cottage (Image: ITV)

Meanwhile, during Monday’s episode, Amelia pleaded with detectives to arrest Belle, after she and Jimmy were told by doctors that while Tom had stabilised, he wasn’t well enough to speak to police. “It has to be Belle,” Amelia said, as she claimed Belle had been telling “lies” about Tom abusing her. Detectives arrived to speak with Belle, but they failed to uncover any information as the Dingles closed ranks to protect the young woman from her evil ex.

Sam revealed he had buried the axe in the garden, while Charity lied to police when they asked if she knew anything about Belle’s involvement. Viewers were stunned when it was revealed Tom had in fact lied to the police, and claimed he couldn’t remember who had attacked him. But he later called his estranged wife and issued a chilling threat, as he demanded a secret meeting or he would tell police what really happened.

During a recent interview on This Morning, Eden hinted at the future of her evil ex on the soap. When asked by co-host Ben Shephard on whether Tom will face retribution, she cryptically replied: “I hope so.”