Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper has opened up about her character Belle Dingle’s devastation as she is separated from her beloved pet dog Piper
Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper has recently expressed her desire for a dramatic return of Piper the dog to the acclaimed ITV soap.
In recent storylines, the beloved village canine disappeared after a horrific encounter with malicious Tom King (portrayed by James Chase), who was part of an appalling scheme.
Audiences were horrified last month when heinous Tom deliberately hit Piper with his car and then deceitfully told his on-screen wife, Eden Taylor-Draper’s character Belle, that their pet was found injured on the road.
Belle’s heartbreak was palpable as she visited Piper at the vet’s, where Tom chillingly acted preparing to put down the dog due to her critical injuries from the accident, making it seem as if she could not be saved.
In a sinister turn of events, Tom had actually given Piper away to a different family, accusing “an abusive owner” of being the cause of the rehoming. Meanwhile, he even arranged a fake funeral for the dog.
This shocking element is part of a wider narrative focussing on Belles experiences of domestic abuse at Tom’s hands.
For a considerable time now, the malevolent vet has been subjecting Belle to emotional and physical torment, even deceiving their friends and family into believing he is the one being mistreated, reports Leeds Live.
Viewers have also seen Tom employing cruel tactics with Piper, confining the dog in the garden and using her as a pawn in his manipulative game against Belle.
Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle, disclosed her wishes for Piper’s eventual return during an interview with Digital Spy, looking forward to the day the dog might come back to the village.
The 26 year old actress shared her hopes for a storyline, saying: “I would love that more than anything, because Piper meant everything to Belle.
“When Belle and Tom are in the holiday cottage in Wales, Belle didn’t leave because she was hurt she left because Piper was hurt and that is huge.”
She added: “Piper is Belle’s little lifeline and has saved her. For her to know her best friend is there, of course she would fight to get her back and I hope that happens.”
In a delightful twist, away from the drama of Emmerdale, the dog who plays Piper, named Minnie, is in the running for the Best Pet accolade at the Inside Soap Awards 2024 later this month.
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