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Emmerdale's Eden Taylor-Draper opens up on finding out about sister's cancer diagnosis on set

Eden Taylor-Draper spoke about her sister's cancer diagnosis. (Getty Images)
Eden Taylor-Draper spoke about her sister's cancer diagnosis. (Getty Images)

Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper has shared the emotional moment she took an on-set call to hear the devastating news that her sister had been diagnosed with cancer.

The actor, who plays Belle Dingle in the ITV soap, told Lorraine on Tuesday morning how she had heard that younger sister Francesca had blood cancer while at work.

Read more: Emmerdale soap spoilers - Meena's angry clash with Amy

Taylor-Draper, 24, told Lorraine Kelly of her Emmerdale bosses: "They were amazing. We were on tea break and they just said, ‘Go, anything you need we’re here’, and I was just in shock. They gave me a month off, so while Chess was in intensive chemo, I could be there. They’re amazing.”

FROM ITV

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Wednesday 6th October 2021

Rodney Blackstock [PATRICK MOWER] continues his campaign to win Diane Sugden [ELIZABETH ESTENSEN] back but they’re scuppered when Belle Dingle [EDEN TAYLOR DRAPER] offers her services at the B&B.  

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This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on  www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/termsFROM ITV

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Print media - No Use Before Tuesday Tuesday 28th September 2021
Online Media - No Use Before 0700hrs  Tuesday 28th September  2021

Emmerdale - 9171

Wednesday 6th October 2021

Faith Dingle’s [SALLYDEXTER] self-medicating with alcohol to cope with the pain of her arthritis.

Picture contact David.crook@itv.com 

This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on  www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
The actor plays Belle Dingle in 'Emmerdale'. (ITV)

Francesca, who is now 17, said that she was doing really well now but that when she was first diagnosed, only 3% of her blood was classed as healthy.

Talking about her symptoms, she said: "I felt tired and I lost quite a bit of weight but the most telling thing was I was having these really bad leg pains, like excruciating to the point where I couldn’t walk and I was having to leave school early, and I also had this massive rash on my legs which was when doctors starting thinking it could be something more serious.

"But a lot of the symptoms were quite generic, which I think is the scary thing about it because feeling tired and a little bit under the weather, your mind would never go to cancer."

The sisters appeared on video call together, where Francesca admitted her treatment had taken a huge toll on her mental health while her older sister talked about how tough it had been to see her so ill.

Read more: Emmerdale's action week reviewed

The teen said: "I didn’t want to say to my mum and dad that I really couldn’t keep going with treatment - that was one of the things I could speak to the psychologist about. Everyone is affected by it. It wasn’t just me."

Taylor-Draper added: "It was so tough to see someone you love so much and so tiny go through all of that and as much as you’re there supporting them, you can’t fix it and you can’t help."

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