INSIDE EMMERDALE BELLE DINGLE ACTRESS' FAMILY CANCER HEARTACHE 'A MASSIVE SHOCK'

Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper has faced her own share of heartbreak away from the soap, including her sister’s cancer battle.

The actress shot to fame playing Belle Dingle on the ITV show. Eden joined the show when she was just eight years old and has become one of the show’s beloved stars.Eden's been involved in several dramatic storylines too over the years, including last year's heartbreaking domestic abuse plot.

In real life though, when Eden’s sister, Francesca Taylor-Draper was 14, she was sadly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

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Over the years, both Eden and Francesca - who is now recovered - have spoken about the latter’s cancer journey, including her having chemotherapy.

Eden 'on massive shock' after sister's cancer diagnosis

Eden’s younger sister Francesca was aged just 14 when she found out she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This type of cancer affects white blood cells and is known to progress “quickly and aggressively”, requiring immediate treatment, the NHS reports.

In 2021, a year after being given the all-clear, the siblings appeared on ITV’s Lorraine and talked about the cancer battle. Francesca said: “At the time of my diagnosis, my cancer cells were at 97 percent, so there were only three percent of my blood cells classed as healthy.”

She then talked about her symptoms: “I definitely did feel very tired and I lost quite a bit of weight. I was having really bad leg pains, excruciating, to the point where I couldn’t walk and I was having to leave school earlier.

“I also had this massive rash on my legs, which was when the doctors started thinking it could be something more serious.”

Francesca was then diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with Francesca revealing: “It was a massive shock. I don’t think any of us expected it.”

Eden discovered cancer news while on set

Eden was at the set of Emmerdale when she received a call about her sister’s cancer diagnosis. On Lorraine, Eden said: “They [the Emmerdale team] were amazing.

“We were on tea break and they just said, ‘Go, anything you need we’re here.’ I was just in shock. They gave me a month off, so while Ches was in intensive chemo, I could be there. They’re amazing.”

Eden also reflected on her sister’s cancer battle: “It was so tough to see someone you love so much and so tiny go through all of that and as much as you’re there supporting them, you can’t fix it and you can’t help.”

Eden’s sister celebrates milestone

Recently, Eden’s sister celebrated a huge milestone in her cancer journey. She revealed in September that she was five years cancer-free.

Francesca took to her Instagram Story at the time and wrote: “From 97% of my blood being cancerous, undergoing 2 years of chemotherapy to now, 5 years cancer free!”

She continued: “I was treated on a @teenage_cancer ward. Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that receives no government funding. The difference they make for all young people going through cancer treatment is incredible, but it is only possible with the generosity of the public. If you can donate, please do. I feel the benefits of their impact every single day.”

Eden also re-shared Francesca’s post to her own Instagram Story and gushed: “My beautiful sister. So proud & so grateful @teenage_cancer.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm

2025-12-02T12:07:10Z