Moira's fun... and she's getting her fight back

Soap character is set to land in row with newbie Celia

- BY CHRISTINE SMITH

EMMERDALE star Natalie J Robb is celebrating both 16 years of playing the formidable Moira Dingle and her 50th year with the gift of having to tackle one of her darkest storylines so far.

From the affair with Cain, to the drug death of her daughter, Holly, and a brain tumour diagnosis, Moira has been through the ringer but Natalie says she loves playing someone with such an unbreakable spirit - and shocking frankness.

The Bellshill-born actress said: "Moira is so much fun to play, because she sometimes does things I certainly would not do.

"The other day, she grabbed a gun and said, 'Stay away from my kids', which is obviously not the norm. She is incredibly protective of her family.

"People have told me they love Moira because she is so unpredictable. You never know how she is going to react"

In her latest challenge, viewers will see Moira, owner of Butlers Farm, being caught off-guard by cunning newbie Celia as she grieves over the death of Nate Robinson.

While Moira knows conniving duo Kim and Joe Tate will be circling to take over the farm, she does not realise Celia, played by Jaye Griffiths, is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Natalie said: "She doesn't expect Celia to be so devious.

"Moira is dealing with the loss of Nate, she is trying to keep everyone afloat and she has money troubles.