'Emmerdale' star Natalie J Robb 'goes nuts' after health concerns arise | Soaps

Emmerdale's Natalie J Robb has spoken about her own health fears following her character Moira Dingle's devastating storyline.

During Matty's (Ash Palmsciano) time in prison, Moira became increasingly stressed and overwhelmed. Understandably, she did everything in her power to prove that Matty never intentionally stabbed Samson Dingle (Sam Hall).

When Matty finally came home, Moira's behavior did not improve. In fact, it got worse.

She argues with Cain (Jeff Hordley) almost every day and turns to alcohol more often than usual. Yesterday, the most worrying twist yet was broadcast, in which Moira suffered a seizure.

In the morning, she had a headache but insisted it wasn't a hangover, pointing out that the bottle of whiskey was still unopened. Cain still accused her of “hiding bottles and getting drunk.” He was so worried that he refused to leave Kyle (Huey Quinn) alone with her, and instead took his reluctant son to work with him.

Moira seems unaware of her problem and seems genuinely baffled by Cain's accusations. She also seemed baffled earlier when he described her outbursts of aggression, as if she really couldn't remember what had happened.

Cain dismissed Nate's (Jurell Carter) comments about menopause and stuck to his belief that alcohol was to blame. Seeing that Cain was at his wits' end with the whole situation, Nate begged him to try harder to get through to Moira and save their marriage.

You can't blame Cain – who likes life to be as straightforward and predictable as possible – for feeling confused by his wife's behavior. One moment she's throwing glassware at his head and physically attacking him, and the next she's being flirtatious and loving.

We got an explanation later in the episode when it became clear that Moira was sick.

She was alone in the barn, caring for a sick animal. As she turned to leave, she suddenly stopped, dropped the bucket she was carrying, fell to the ground like a dead weight – and suffered a seizure.

At the moment, we have no idea what's going on with this popular character. Natalie J Robb, who plays Moira, knows exactly what it's like to be faced with the possibility of a life-changing health ordeal.

“It was quite scary when I discovered a lump in my right breast,” she told the Mirror.

“I went to the doctor who told me they were more concerned about a cyst in my left breast. I asked what they meant as I couldn't feel anything. It was higher up. I got really excited and had to go for a mammogram. Luckily it was a cyst and it was benign. Things like that change your perspective though and I try to be as healthy and fit as possible.”

Natalie explained her reaction to Moira's storyline: “I knew I wanted to do my bit to raise awareness. A soap opera can play such a big role in shining a light on many different illnesses, as it did so brilliantly this year with Chas' cancer diagnosis.

“As a soap opera actress, you're at the mercy of the gods when it comes to your character and what happens to them. But I think it's important that we cover serious illnesses so that people can hopefully realise they're not alone. I would be scared to death if I was having seizures and had no idea why.”

“It is a demanding role and a great responsibility,” she added.

“I learned a lot about the different types of seizures you can have, and I worked closely with an expert. He gave me a lot of wonderful advice about how to recognize little visual signs, even subtle things, when you're having a seizure.

“It was important to me to show how much it affects a person. It takes everything from the body and the confusion afterwards is very hard.

“My heart goes out to the people who have gone through this or are going through this.”

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