Leading ladies

Emmerdale co-stars Eden Taylor-Draper and Beth Cordingly are thrilled to be nominated for top prizes at this year's British Soap Awards

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Emmerdale has a huge 13 nominations at the British Soap Awards - with actresses Eden Taylor-Draper and Beth Cordingly both nominated for Best Leading Performer.

Here, the pair look back on their last year in the soap as they prepare to face off against EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks on awards night.

EDEN TAYLOR-DRAPER

It's been a dramatic year for Eden Taylor-Draper, who will celebrate 20 years of playing Belle Dingle this autumn.

The actress, who has been at the heart of Emmerdale's domestic abuse storyline, is nominated for Best Leading Performer and Best Dramatic Performance, while the plot is up for Best Storyline.

On top of that, her soap family, the Dingles, are nominated in the Best Family category and Emmerdale is up against EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks for Best Soap.

"I'm thrilled," grins Eden, 27. "It's a bit scary but it's been amazing. It's been the most challenging and exciting year I've ever had at Emmerdale."

The soap announced plans for a domestic abuse storyline centered around Belle Dingle and Tom King back in 2023, and it has kept fans hooked. With fight scenes, unique perspectives and even alternative outcomes filmed, the work has been challenging and fulfilling for Eden.