A lookback at Belle’s previous mental health crises as she starts to hear voices again

In Emmerdale, Belle Dingle has struggled with her mental health during her time in the village and recent heartbreaking scenes have seen her start to hear voices again.

Belle, played by Eden Taylor-Draper, has a lot on her plate right now. She recently lost her beloved dad, Zak Dingle, while still dealing with her abusive estranged husband, Tom King.

As she becomes overwhelmed with life again, we take a look back at her history with mental health.

Emmerdale: Belle guilt over Gemma’s death

Belle’s first experience with mental health came following her release from prison in late 2014. Following an argument over Sean Spencer, Belle pushed her best friend Gemma Andrews. Gemma hit her head on a rock and subsequently died from her injuries.

Belle was sentenced to 3 years in a young offenders centre (later reduced to 1 year.) Upon her release, Belle struggled to adjust to normal life. Her behaviour became erratic – she dyed her blonde hair black and befriended local weirdo Lachlan White.

Belle was later discovered by Harriet and Ashley Thomas in the church, crying and covered in blood. But she refused to share who caused the injuries. She went on to trash David Metcalfe’s shop and Edna Birch’s house.

It later emerged that she was having a mental health crisis and believed that Gemma was talking to her. She admitted to herself in her mind that she believed she had graffitied her house and harmed herself because “Gemma” told her to. Belle also believed “Gemma” was responsible for her brother Cain Dingle‘s brain aneurysm.

The voices and erratic behaviour worsened while working with Katie Sugden, where Katie witnessed Belle talking to Gemma. In order to get away from Katie, Belle bit her and then locked herself in Katie’s car.

In the car, Gemma’s voice instructed Belle to run over Zak. Belle did not go through with this and unlocked the car door. But it wasn’t quite the end of her ordeal, as following Katie’s death – in which she fell through the floor at Wylie’s Farm – Belle believed that she was responsible and tried to end her own life in the same way. She was eventually sectioned.

Emmerdale: Bell diagnosed with schizophrenia

In 2016, a 17-year-old Belle started an affair with married doctor, Jermaine Bailey. In order to keep their relationship going, Belle lied to him that she was pregnant.

With life getting on top of her again, Belle then started talking to a friend from prison – Ellie, but it was later revealed that Ellie was one of Belle’s visual hallucinations. Amongst other things, “Ellie” convinced Belle to pour red wine onto Joanie’s wedding dress.

The truth was discovered when Jermaine’s wife Angie overheard Belle talking to Ellie. Belle had a breakdown in front of her family, but later run away. After spending some time living rough, Belle collapsed and was taken to hospital.

At the hospital, Belle lashed out at Lisa, thinking she was planning to kill her. Belle was assessed and her family were informed that Belle was hearing more than one voice. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and sent away to a secure unit.

Emmerdale: Belle suffered a relapse

In 2020 Emmerdale, Belle’s love interest Jamie Tate tried to frame Belle for the hit and run that left Moira Dingle for dead. With the threat of prosecution for a crime she didn’t commit hanging over her, her mental health begun to suffer once again.

Belle stopped taking her medication and the voices returned – including that of her mother Lisa, who died a year prior.

The voice of Lisa warned Belle that Jamie was a danger to the family. So Belle went looking for him with a knife. Fortunately, she was stopped by Mackenzie Boyd.

She then hallucinated that pregnant Tracy Metcalfe was Jamie, and was determined to stab her, but Tracy managed to make Belle see who she really was. Belle was hospitalised and started to take her medication again.

What has happened to Belle now?

Last week, the Dingles received the devastating news that head of the family, Zak Dingle, had died. A week of heartbreaking episodes followed as the family said goodbye to Zak.

In Wednesday’s episode (October 23), Belle was arrested after she breached her bail conditions. After receiving flowers, Belle was convinced Tom had sent them and approached him to share her disgust. Tom then reported Belle to the police as the couple are supposed to stay away from each other.

Back at home, Belle sought comfort at Zak’s graveside. Wearing his oversized shirt, Belle told her dad that she didn’t realise how much she needed him. We then heard her side of a conversation as it became clear she was hearing Zak’s voice.

Will Belle be able to get help before her mental health escalates again?

Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list 2024

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

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