Yahoo News Emmerdale's Eden Taylor-Draper reacts to NTAs nomination
The following article references animal abuse and coercive control.
Emmerdale actor Eden Taylor-Draper has reacted to her big NTA nomination, saying that she feels "honoured".
The Belle King star is up for the Serial Drama Performance prize at the 2024 National Television Awards following her hard-hitting domestic abuse storyline.
Belle's evil husband Tom King has spent months abusing and controlling her, lately going so far as to lead her to believe that her dog Piper had died after he hit the pet with his car - although viewers now know that Tom faked Piper's death to further upset Belle.
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Speaking about what it's like to be nominated, the actor said: "It feels amazing. I feel honoured as I am up against some amazing names Angela Wynter [EastEnders' Yolande Trueman], Peter Ash [Coronation Street's Paul Foreman], Di Parish [EastEnders' Denise Fox], and David Nielson [Corrie's Roy Cropper]."
She added that she is "so pleased" that Belle's storyline has received so much attention, stating that: "I think that is the point why we do storylines like these, as it is to raise awareness.
"And I've said from the beginning, if it helps, just one person that would mean the world to me. So the fact it's getting this subject out there. It’s a long-running storyline so people have really been on a journey with it."
Speaking about the real world impact of the plot, she said: "It is amazing the way people let me hear about their stories and how they have come out the other side.
"It's such an honour the way they share these deeply personal things with me. I feel it helps me, as I take on board every little thing. Also I'm really glad to hear people feel we are portraying it correctly."
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Eden also spoke about how much she's looking forward to attending the awards, despite her nerves. She added that although she doesn't know what she'll be wearing yet, she does know who she is taking as her guest.
"I'm taking my mum," she explained. "She is very excited. I have not been to any awards with my mum since I was about 10. So this is such a lovely moment for us to share together.
"Throughout my early career my mum was my chaperone at work and she one hundred percent helped me so much. And I am so grateful."
Soap bosses have confirmed that the Belle and Tom plot will run until the end of the year, with Eden having recently given a few clues about what we can still expect to see.
The National Television Awards 2024 airs on ITV on September 11. Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk), New Beginnings Peer Support (www.newbeginningspeersupport.com) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
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