Emmerdale fans were left on tenterhooks as Moria Dingle suffered

a terrifying seizure in Tuesday night’s episode. It was a momentous

scene for Natalie J Robb, who has been playing the feisty farmer for

15 years and says the storyline has made her feel “lucky to be alive.”

In the coming weeks, Moira will be dealt devastating health news, as the seizures continue and get worse and worse. And in a gripping twist, they set off a whole series of events that threaten her own life and that of another village favourite. What is causing the terrifying seizures is, for now, being kept a closely guarded secret.

But as viewers go on the tumultuous journey with Moira, Natalie lets slip that what happens to her “will be life-changing.” Meanwhile, the actor’s real-life experience has helped her to bring authe

nticity to the drama, after she went through her own extremely worrying health scare last year.

Moira collapsed in the barn on Tuesday’s episode of Emmerdale ( Image: Emmerdale)

She says: “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.

“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.”

“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,” says Natalie. “A soap can play such a big role in shining a light on many different illnesses, as it has so brilliantly this year with Chas’ cancer diagnosis.

“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 goes on to explain how determined she has been to portray the seizures accurately and sensitively by seeking advice from experts.

“It’s a challenging role and a big responsibility,” she explains. “I have learnt a lot about different seizures you can have and I have been working closely with an expert. He has been giving me lots of wonderful advice on how to show little visual signs, even subtle things when you do have a seizure.

“It’s been important to me to show how much it affects a person. It takes everything out of your body and the confusion afterwards is very hard. My heart goes out to people who have gone or who are going through this.”

Feeling confident in and out of work, as she gets to grips with one of her biggest ever storylines, Natalie, who is currently by herself, is also feeling very happy with where she is in life, both personally and professionally, as she approaches her half century.

“A lot of people go ‘oh you are single?’” she says in a pitying voice. “But I am like ‘no it’s a good thing’. I am happily single. I haven’t got the space for it (dating) if I am honest and I don’t think about it.”

And her screen character more than makes up for any quiet patches in her own love life! Moira Dingle has been married twice – firstly to John Barton, who she married in 1990 and then to Cain Dingle, following an affair. Her other dalliances include a romance with Alex Moss, an affair with her brother-in-law John Barton and a fling with her stepson Nate Robinson.

But the last thing Natalie wants in real life is a complicated love life. She is in a good place. And while she has spoken in the past about people judging her for being single and childless in her late 40s, as 50 beckons, she says she is feeling really happy in her own skin.

Natalie J Robb has played Moira Dingle since 2009 ( Image: ITV)

She says: “If I can make 50 I am happy about that. I have never lied about my age and I have never been one to say ‘I don’t want people to know’. Before I know it, my birthday will be here. I haven’t arranged anything yet, but I am hoping to celebrate it with my friends and do lots of different things.”

These days, she ignores anyone who views her negatively for being a strong, independent woman. She says: “I used to get judged for not having children. But I am happy the way I am. I have got good friends; family and I don’t feel it’s something I need. If it (a relationship) comes later in the future, fair enough but it would have to be someone special.”

And don’t expect to see her performing bush tucker trials or waltzing across the stage any time soon, as Natalie has “no desire” to follow fellow soap stars into Strictly or I’m a Celebrity. She can find enough vipers in the Dingle family without needing a spell in the jungle!