Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays the beloved Belle Dingle on ITV’s Emmerdale, recently gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes of the soap, sharing a hilarious and heartwarming story that had her host bursting into laughter.
During a recent interview, Taylor-Draper revealed a special tradition that has become a part of every major milestone celebration on set.
The tradition is so well-loved that it sparks a playful competition among the cast and crew—and Eden herself is no exception when it comes to getting involved in the friendly chaos.
As Emmerdale is one of the longest-running soaps on British television, the show regularly celebrates significant milestones, whether it’s an anniversary, an award win, or a major storyline achievement. For the cast and crew, these moments are more than just professional accomplishments—they’re opportunities to come together and celebrate their hard work with a bit of fun. But as Taylor-Draper shared with her audience, there’s one quirky tradition that everyone looks forward to whenever these milestones roll around, and it always ends up in a bit of a battle to claim the prize.
The tradition centers around a coveted item that, according to Taylor-Draper, sparks a playful scramble every time it makes an appearance. Though she didn’t specify exactly what the item is, she gave enough hints to suggest that it’s something highly sought after by the entire team—a treat or gift that’s as much a part of the soap’s celebrations as the speeches and toasts.
Taylor-Draper’s recounting of the tradition had her host in fits of laughter, as she described how the cast, who are usually busy portraying the intense drama of the Dales, turn into fierce competitors when this particular milestone celebration rolls around. The idea of seeing actors who play characters like the stoic Cain Dingle or the cunning Kim Tate suddenly racing to grab hold of this prized item is enough to bring a smile to any fan’s face.
For Eden, the tradition is more than just a fun aspect of Emmerdale’s milestone celebrations—it’s a reminder of the close bond shared by the cast and crew. She spoke fondly about how, despite the high stakes and dramatic storylines they deal with on screen, behind the scenes they are like one big family, always up for a bit of laughter and friendly rivalry. The playful atmosphere during these milestone moments is a testament to the camaraderie that has developed over the years among the Emmerdale team, who work long hours to bring the much-loved soap to life.
When asked whether she’s ever succeeded in winning the coveted item, Taylor-Draper responded with a chuckle, admitting that it’s always a tough competition but that she’s certainly tried her best every time. “I’m no exception,” she confessed with a grin, making it clear that she, too, gets swept up in the fun of trying to claim the prize. Her openness and sense of humor about the whole situation made it even more endearing, and it’s easy to imagine the good-natured rivalry that takes place whenever Emmerdale reaches a significant milestone.
This behind-the-scenes story shows a lighter side of the show, contrasting the often serious and emotional moments that viewers see on screen. As Belle Dingle, Taylor-Draper has been involved in some of Emmerdale’s most heart-wrenching and dramatic storylines, so it’s refreshing for fans to learn that she, along with the rest of the cast, gets to enjoy these moments of fun and celebration when the cameras aren’t rolling.
The tradition Taylor-Draper described is likely to resonate with many viewers, not just for the humor it brings, but because it humanizes the actors behind the characters they’ve come to love. It’s easy to forget, amidst the gripping plots and emotional performances, that the people who bring these characters to life also enjoy the same lighthearted moments and friendly competition as anyone else in a workplace setting.
By sharing this story, Eden Taylor-Draper gave fans a peek into the real-life dynamics that make Emmerdale such a close-knit team, and she did so in a way that left her host—and undoubtedly her fans—laughing along with her. It’s moments like these that remind us why soap stars like Taylor-Draper are so beloved: not only do they deliver gripping performances on screen, but they also share their warmth, humor, and relatability with audiences off-screen.
As Emmerdale continues to reach new milestones, fans will no doubt be thinking of Taylor-Draper’s hilarious description of the on-set tradition, imagining the cast in their good-natured scramble for that coveted item. And who knows—maybe one day, Taylor-Draper will come out on top in the friendly competition, finally claiming the prize she’s been eyeing for so long! Until then, she’ll continue to enjoy being part of one of the most iconic soaps in British television history, and fans will continue to adore both Belle Dingle and the delightful actress behind her.
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