Eden Taylor-Draper: Child star, family heartache and besties with her Emmerdale cast mates
The Belle Dingle actress has grown up on screen
Eden Taylor-Draper is best known to millions as Emmerdale’s Belle King (nee Dingle). The Yorkshire lass joined the soap in 2005 at the tender age of eight when she took over the part from Emily Mather.
Viewers have watched Belle – and Eden – grow up on screen.
During her two decades on Emmerdale, Belle has been at the centre of several major storylines, including a battle with schizophrenia, an illicit affair with a married doctor, faking a pregnancy and the tragic loss of her mum, Lisa Dingle.
Eden is no stranger to acting out tough scenes, but this year has been particularly challenging as Belle has found herself trapped in an abusive marriage to new husband Tom.
The once bubbly businesswoman has found herself on the receiving end of Tom’s jealous temper as he’s attempted to control every aspect of her life.
Thankfully life away from the cameras is a far happier one for Eden. Here is everything you need to know about the star.
Who is Eden Taylor-Draper and how old is she?
Eden Taylor-Draper is a British actress who plays Emmerdale’s Belle King. She was born on 28 October 1997, making her 26-years-old.
Eden grew up in the market town of Selby, which is situated in North Yorkshire. It is around 30 minutes from where the soap is filmed.
Eden’s real-life family is as close as her on-screen one.
She’s the eldest of five, and her parents Nicola and Richard also have son Sebastian and daughters Pollyanna, Francesca and Posy.
Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle in Emmerdale
Eden plays wedding planner Belle King (nee Dingle). Born Tinkerbelle Lisa ‘Belle’ Dingle, she’s the youngest daughter of Zak Dingle and the only child of his late wife, Lisa Dingle.
She has six half-siblings – Nathan, the late Ben and Butch, Sam, Cain and Tina Dingle.
Belle has lived her whole life in the village, being born and raised in Wishing Well Cottage.
The character made her first appearance on Christmas Day 1998. Viewers have watched Belle grow from a tiny baby to a smart and accomplished businesswoman.
Belle was originally played by twins Emily and James Mather. James stopped appearing in 2000 and Emily in 2005 when Eden took over the role.
Belle’s journey has been nothing short of dramatic.
Her storylines have included a surviving a near-fatal fall down a mineshaft, accidentally killing her best friend, an affair with a married man, faking a pregnancy and battle with schizophrenia.
In February 2024, Belle married her ex-boyfriend and village vet, Thomas King. The pair originally dated as teenagers and reconnected when Tom returned to the village after several years living abroad.
Sadly, married life has got off to the worst start for Belle. Tom has revealed himself to be a jealous and controlling bully. The vet has subjected his wife to appalling physical and mental abuse, including deliberately burning her hand.
Although becoming increasingly more aware of Tom’s actions, Belle has been manipulated into believing she’s the one responsible.
What else has Eden Taylor-Draper been in?
Emmerdale is Eden’s first professional acting gig.
In 2007, at the age of nine, she appeared in a short film titled The Cardiac Oak.
She supported her sister through cancer
In 2017, Eden’s family went through the toughest of times when her young sister Francesca was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Eden took a break from work so she could be by Francesca’s side while she underwent treatment at hospital.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2020, Eden revealed: “Chessie [her nickname for Francesca] had her bed and I had a little bed next to her.
“Mornings would be a snuggle, cup of tea and re-runs of Come Dine With Me. I tried to keep Chess as cosy as possible. We’d always say love you before bed, and that everything would be okay.”
Thankfully, Francesca is now in remission. The life-changing experience prompted Eden to become an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust.
She’s also taken part in the Great North Run for Bloodwise, a UK charity that raises funds into research for all blood cancers.
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Belle Dingle actress’ real-life romance
Belle’s love life might have turned into a living nightmare, but Eden’s couldn’t be more different. The actress has been in a relationship with her high school sweetheart, Ed Lewis, for eight years.
The cute couple first met while they were both pupils at Harrogate Grammar School. Ed, who’s not in the showbiz industry, frequently appears on Eden’s social media account.
Eden looked every inch the proud girlfriend in 2019 when she accompanied Ed to his graduation at Durham University, where he achieved a first class honours degree in geography.
The couple also regularly share gorgeous photographs of their travels together, including summer breaks to Italy and Croatia and a festive getaway in Austria.
Her Emmerdale co-stars are like family
Eden is super close to her Emmerdale co-stars and has come to consider many of them as her second family.
Despite there being 23 years between her and Emma Atkins (aka Charity Dingle), Eden says their unbreakable bond makes it feel like they’re the same age and more like sisters.
Eden also regularly hangs out with Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden), Daisy Campbell (Amelia Spencer) and Jessie Elland (who played Chloe Harris).
And in 2023, the four friends started their own book club called Rather Be Reading so they could discuss their favourite reads.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.