One Emmerdale character has some very clear aims for the next 12 months

Emmerdale fans have been given a hint of what to expect in 2025.

The past 12 months have been pretty major for Eden Taylor Draper and her character Belle Dingle. The latter has lost her father and she’s also received horrific abuse from partner Tom.

The traumatic scenes have resulted in acting star Eden receiving lots of praise. Appearing at an Emmerdale press day, Eden discussed Tom’s eventual downfall and where that leaves Belle.

She said: “I don’t think there will be an end point to that journey or that healing. Speaking to the producers and the research team, everyone is so passionate that this story doesn’t end when this side (Tom finally being punished) of the story ends. 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 said that pet dog Piper, who returns over Christmas after being feared dead, will be an essential part of Belle’s 2025.

“100 per cent, I think Piper will be a part of that journey,” Eden stressed. “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.”

Elaborating further on what Emmerdale viewers will see from Belle in 2025, Eden said: “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.”

Eden added: “To get her life back on track (is the 2025 aim). Obviously, Tom stopped her working so she has nothing really. I think she needs to start from scratch and build herself back up again.”

From a personal point of view, Eden has been overwhelmed by the response to the harrowing storyline. Believing that being trusted with something, so important, has been a major ‘vote of confidence’.

A lot of special episodes have focused on her and co-star James Chase – who has portrayed Tom. Eden stated: “It has probably been my biggest year.”

She went on to add: “It has been a huge honour and I feel so blessed, challenged and motivated. Every day I come into work and I just have the best time. 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.”