Eden Taylor-Draper’s “mum” is so proud of her progress

Emmerdale veteran Jane Cox has told of her pride at the amazing progress of rising star Eden Taylor-Draper.

Eden, just 17, plays Belle, daughter of Jane’s Lisa Dingle, and The two have the closest of bonds off-screen as well as on.

And such is the regard in which Eden is held by show bosses, the youngster has been chosen to be at the heart of the big New Year dramas on the ITV soap.

“I’m so proud at the way she’s grown,” confides Lisa.

“Any acting challenge the writers throw at her she picks up and runs with it. She’s working really hard and I’m so impressed how she’s approaching a very difficult storyline.”

One of the big stories of the past year saw Belle accidentally kill pal Gemma. She spent time in prison as a result but is out and back in the bosom of her family.

While all seems OK initially, it has become clear the troubled youngster is far from well.

This week sees her start a new job at the stables in a bid to help her get back on the right track. But she’s been turning to legal highs to help her cope and that turns to disaster in the hour-long New Year’s Day episode.

She urges Lachlan to try one of the pills and he collapses, leaving her fearing he’s going to die.

It’s just one of a spiral of woes for the troubled teen with the mental health issues set to deepen in the New Year. And Jane reveals that Eden has done a lot of research.

“You have to take these topics very seriously,” said Jane, whose character’s stressful plotlines have seen her health suffer.

“You have to try to be as truthful in your representation of the character and what they go through. People go through this in real life so it’s important. Eden’s being very responsible.

“I think there are a lot of troubled youngsters out there. I’m not saying that everybody would go like Belle, but youngsters need to talk. They need support because there is a lot of pressure on young people.”

In reality, level-headed Eden has knuckled down to get her exams before leaving school and is now focusing on her thriving acting career.