Emmerdale’s Natalie J Robb breaks silence on Moira Dingle’s heartbreaking tumour shock and makes promise to viewers
EMMERDALE star Natalie J Robb revealed a harrowing twist after her character Moira Dingle is diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The farmer – who is played by actress Natalie J Robb in the ITV soap – has been suffering from memory loss, seizures and hallucinations for weeks as well as seeing her behaviour spiral out of control.
Moira tried to get Cain to understand that there was something seriously wrong with her, he tried batting it off – until she had a seizure.
Doctors managed to bring her out of it before sending her for a brain scan to get to the bottom of what was going on.
The doctor returned after the brain scan to give Moira the results.
He told her: “I don’t want to alarm you but there was an abnormality on the scan in the form of a mass which is putting a bit of pressure in the brain.”
Moira panicked, asking: “A mass? Like a tumour?”
The doctor told a panicking Moira: “Don’t get ahead of yourself.
“The neurologist will order an MRI scan and then we’ll know more about the abnormality once that’s been carried out.”
Later Moira broke the news to Cain, telling him: “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry.
“It makes sense, the way I’ve been behaving, the things I’ve done. It wasn’t me, and I’m not making excuses.
“I’m so sorry for what I’ve put you through. And Nate, I’ve ruined his life too. Cain, I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.”
In tonight’s episode of Emmerdale, viewers will see the heartbreaking moment Moira is diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Moira finds out she has a type of brain tumour called a meningioma and this is why she has been suffering from symptoms including changes to her personality, confusion, memory loss and seizures.
The tumour, although non-cancerous, leaves Moira apprehensive about her future and concerned about the possibility of surgery and other treatments.
When devising and researching the storyline, Emmerdale has worked closely with the charities Brains Trust and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
They will continue to support the production team to give Moira’s story a realistic and authentic depiction.
Emmerdale Producer, Sophie Roper, commented: “Moira’s diagnosis comes as a huge shock to both her and her family and Moira faces an emotional and challenging time ahead.
“The research and support we’ve received throughout this storyline has allowed us to depict the realities of the condition and though at times it may be distressing to see the symptoms Moira’s experiencing, we’re keen to explore the hope and resilience Moira finds as she comes to terms with her diagnosis.”
Actress, Natalie J Robb said: “I feel really fortunate to be trusted with such a challenging storyline.
“Moira and her family have an extremely challenging time ahead, and I’m hoping I can portray it in a truthful way that does justice to all the people who are really suffering with a brain tumour.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.