Emmerdale star reveals character faces 'darkest storyline yet' with devious foe

Life is fab at 50 for Natalie J Robb, who is about to take on one of her darkest and most powerful Emmerdale storylines.

Celebrating her 16th year playing formidable Moira Dingle, owner of Butlers Farm, viewers will see the soap favourite being caught off guard by the steely cunning of Dales newbie Celia.

Still grieving over the death of Nate Robinson, while canny 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.

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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.”

But fans of the gobby farmer need not worry - as Celia’s deviousness puts the fight back in Moira’s belly.

“Moira’s going to get her fight back, thanks to Celia,” says Natalie. “She knows she must stand up to her.”

It is this unbreakable spirit - and shocking frankness - that has made Moira a hit with soap fans for so long, according to Natalie.

She says: “People have told me they love Moira because she is so unpredictable. You never know how she is going to react.

“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! She is incredibly protective of her family.”

As well as enjoying playing such a powerful character, Natalie likes the fact Emmerdale reflects some of the real life issues facing farmers - many of whom are struggling to make ends meet.

She says: “Moira is run ragged trying to keep the farm afloat.

“She has lost clients and it’s hard for her. But it’s great that Emmerdale is reflecting what is going on in the farming world.

“My friend works on a farm and she tells me what is happening to Moira is happening a lot. It’s good we are covering farming issues and how tough it is for them.”

But she would like to see Moira diversifying to boost her income.

“With the current climate, farmers are having to diverse and do glamping and other things with the land,” she says. “It would be nice to see Moira have a lucky spell with the farm by doing something different.”

But, in the coming weeks, there will be little time for Moira to consider any future plans, as she becomes embroiled in a massive power struggle with Celia and Kim.

Scottish actress Natalie, who now lives in Yorkshire and is enjoying single life, is delighted to still be heading such dramatic plotlines, as she embraces her fifties.

She says: “I do like being 50 because you know yourself a lot better.

“You know what you don’t want in your life and while you are still always evolving and learning, you get rid of any problematic things.

“One of my favourite sayings is ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. It’s important not to run away and step outside your comfort zone from time to time.

“It’s never as bad as you fear. I try to keep this saying printed in my brain if I ever find myself getting overwhelmed.

“Live life as it comes, try not to worry and it’s important to make things happen. I am a happy person and that’s what I like to radiate.

“Besides, life is too short to worry.”

Natalie, who does not have children, loves working with her Emmerdale family and reveals that her soap husband Cain, played by Jeff Hordley, is a big softie, totally unlike his hard man character.

“When I turned 50, he asked me what I was going to do to celebrate,” she says. “I was really busy with work at the time and I mentioned trying to do lots of things. He insisted I did something at work too. The next minute, he was there organising a lovely meal with the rest of the Dingles for me. It was such a lovely evening. He’s so thoughtful and not at all like Cain!”

Again, unlike their soap characters, in real life the actors who play the Dingles get on famously.

“It would be a nightmare if we didn’t, wouldn’t it?” jokes Natalie.

Friends off set ever since she first joined Emmerdale in 2009, it was in 2011 that she and Jeff’s characters became involved romantically, when Moira - then married to John Barton – had an affair with Cain.

After a tumultuous start to their relationship, they eventually married three years later.

“Off-screen, we are always texting each other and we are good friends,” she says.

“We’ve texted over the summer holidays and we both chatted about how our youngest on screen is now eight in real life. He joined when he was six days old. He is so lovely and I joke to his mum that I am like his other mummy now!”

Natalie – who also played Trish McDonald in Take the High Road and Gemma Clewes in EastEnders - is already pals with Jaye Griffiths, too.

“When someone new comes in, you have to welcome them with open arms, “ says Natalie. “Celia is awful and ruthless to the point you almost cringe at some of the things she says. Jaye is, thankfully, nothing like her character. We have such a giggle and a lot of laughs.”

As for their soap relationship?

“Moira doesn’t expect Celia to be so devious and so you know she is going to come a cropper at some point,” Natalie explains.

“I love the strong women in the soap and, in the future, I would love it if Kim and Moira joined forces – although arch enemies – to battle against Celia.”

But her one great wish for Moira is slightly more left field.

“I love my own dog, Buddy, so much, it would be great if Moira could have one too,” says Natalie. “ Dogs give out so much love and I am sure Moira would love it if she had one.”

*Emmerdale runs every weekday at 7.30pm on ITV1 and STV1