Natalie J. Robb has been blessing our screens on Emmerdale since she joined the show in 2009, until today. Her character, Moira Dingle, has been through a lot, and she suffered a seizure in a recent episode, which has viewers to speculate about a tragic exit for the character.
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Amid the speculation, the actress has chosen to speak up about her own health scare. Similar to other actors who chose to open up, she hopes she can encourage other women to visit their doctors more regularly, and take care of their health. Here's what she said.
Moira Dingle suffered a scary seizure on Emmerdale
On Tuesday, 27 August 2024, the actress' beloved character Moira Dingle experienced a terrifying seizure, which should impact her storyline in the next few weeks, as well as threaten her own life. The actress said Moira will be dealt with 'life changing news' in the next episodes. Although fans are still divided about what caused her seizure, Natalie J. Robb has expressed that the latest episode made her 'feel grateful to be alive', as she dealt with a health scare of her own last year.
The actress felt her character's health issues could be a way to raise awareness, and to push people, especially women, to look after themselves. She told the Mirror:
When I was told Moira would be suffering from a serious health condition, I knew I wanted to play my part in helping to raise awareness.
She also explained how important it is to her that Emmerdale deals with serious issues, such as health scares and substance abuse, as the soap reflects real people's lives and their daily struggles.
As a soap actress, you are very much in the lap of the gods when it comes to your character and what happens to them. But I think it is important we do cover serious illnesses that hopefully will help people know they aren’t alone. I know I would be petrified if I started to have seizures and had no idea why.
Natalie J. Robb opens up about life off-set
Natalie J. Robb suffered a health scare of her own last year, after noticing a lump in her breast. She immediately went to visit her GP, and got some tests done. She told the Mirror:
It was pretty scary as I found a lump in my right breast. I went to see the doctor who told me they were more worried about one on my left breast. I asked what they meant as I couldn’t feel anything. It was higher up. I went into overdrive and I had to go for a mammogram.
Fortunately for the actress, the lump turned out to be a benign cyst, but it changed her outlook on life, and remains a traumatic experience, as the actress felt extremely stressed while she waited for her results. She explained:
Thankfully, it was a cyst and it was benign. Something like that does change your perspective though and I try to be as healthy and fit as I can be now.
If you have been affected by a seizure, or are caring for a loved-one who went through the ordeal, you can contact the Epilepsy Support Group at 0808 800 5050, or the Stroke Association at 0303 3033 100.
Read more:
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: Emmerdale actress Natalie J Robb, 49, details her own health scare after finding a lump in her breast as her character Moira Dingle suffers a terrifying seizure
Mirror: Exclusive:Emmerdale Moira Dingle star's three-word reaction to character's terrifying plot twist
Manchester Evening News: Real life of Emmerdale's Moira Dingle actress Natalie J Robb - co-star split, rival soap role, real age, new look and pop past
