Emmerdale star Natalie J. Robb, best known for her portrayal of Moira Dingle on the popular soap, has opened up
about a recent health scare that left her deeply shaken. The actress revealed that she discovered a lump in her breast
last year, an experience that profoundly changed her outlook on life and health. Although it was a false alarm, the experience
was a stark reminder of how fragile life can be.
In a candid interview, Natalie shared the frightening moment she found a lump in her right breast. “It was pretty scary as I found a lump in my right breast,” she recalled. She immediately sought medical advice, fearing the worst. However, it was during this examination that her doctor expressed concern about a different area—one that Natalie hadn’t even noticed. “I went to see the doctor who told me they were more worried about one on my left breast,” she explained. “I asked what they meant as I couldn’t feel anything. It was higher up.”
This unexpected twist sent Natalie into a whirlwind of anxiety. She was advised to undergo a mammogram to get a clearer picture of what was happening inside her body. The fear of what the results might reveal weighed heavily on her. “I went into overdrive and had to go for a mammogram,” she admitted, describing the overwhelming stress that came with the uncertainty of her situation.
Thankfully, the results of the mammogram brought relief—what had appeared suspicious turned out to be a benign cyst. “Thankfully, it was a cyst and it was benign,” Natalie shared, her voice tinged with relief. While the scare ultimately had a positive outcome, it left a lasting impact on her perspective. “Something like that does change your perspective though,” she noted. The experience has motivated Natalie to prioritize her health and well-being, a commitment she takes seriously in her daily life. “I try to be as healthy and fit as I can be now,” she emphasized, recognizing the importance of self-care in maintaining her health.

Interestingly, life has mirrored art for Natalie, as her character Moira Dingle is currently experiencing her own health crisis on Emmerdale. In a recent episode, Moira suffered a seizure, a storyline that has been both challenging and enlightening for Natalie. When she first learned about the plot, Natalie knew it was an opportunity to contribute to a greater cause. “When I learned about the storyline, I wanted to play my part in helping to raise awareness,” she said.
As an actress, Natalie understands the significant influence soap operas can have in educating viewers about real-world issues. Emmerdale has a history of tackling serious health issues, and this year is no exception, with Chas Dingle’s cancer diagnosis being a prime example. “A soap can play such a big role in shining a light on many different illnesses,” Natalie pointed out. “As it has so brilliantly this year with Chas’ cancer diagnosis.”
For Natalie, portraying Moira’s health struggle is not just another acting challenge; it’s a responsibility. “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,” she explained. The idea of someone experiencing seizures without understanding why is something that strikes a chord with her. “I know I would be petrified if I started to have seizures and had no idea why,” she said, empathizing with those who face such terrifying experiences in real life.
In preparing for this challenging role, Natalie has taken her responsibility seriously, working closely with experts to ensure an accurate and sensitive portrayal of seizures. “It has been a challenging role and a big responsibility,” she admitted, revealing that she has since learned a lot about different types of seizures. Her dedication to the role has involved learning from an expert who has provided her with invaluable guidance. “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,” she said.
Natalie is committed to portraying the reality of seizures as faithfully as possible, understanding the physical and emotional toll they take on those who suffer from them. “It’s been important to me to show how much it affects a person,” she explained. “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.”
Natalie J. Robb’s experience is a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of health awareness. Her personal health scare and her dedication to raising awareness through her role on Emmerdale highlight the vital role that media can play in educating and supporting those facing similar challenges. As Natalie continues to inspire with her performances, she also encourages viewers to pay attention to their own health, seek medical advice when needed, and never take their well-being for granted.