DALE STAR NATALIE READY FOR BATTLE IN NEW PLOT

Actress loves playing 'unbreakable' Dingle, with dark times ahead

- BY CHRISTINE SMITH

Moira Dingle has been through the ringer over the last 16 years, but Emmerdale actress Natalie J Robb is about to tackle one of her character's darkest storylines so far.

From the affair with Cain, to the drug death of her daughter, Holly, and a brain tumour diagnosis, formidable Moira has seen it all, and Natalie says she loves playing someone with such an unbreakable spirit.

The Scottish actress says: "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!

"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 soap favourite Moira, who is 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 that Celia, played by Jaye Griffiths, is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Natalie says: "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.

"Then Celia comes along again to tell her a few things that are going to leave her absolutely fuming. She is put between a rock and a hard place over it all."