Eden Taylor-Draper has faced multiple heartbreaking plotlines on Emmerdale, but the actress has also endured real-life sorrow over the years.
Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper has endured heartbreak off screen, including her sister’s battle with cancer.
The actress, who rose to fame as Belle Dingle after joining the ITV soap at just eight years old, has become a firm favourite with viewers. Over the years, Eden has taken on several intense storylines, including last year’s emotional domestic abuse plot.
But in real life, Eden faced her own trauma when her sister, Francesca Taylor-Draper, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just 14.
Both Eden and Francesca — who has since recovered — have spoken openly about her cancer journey and the chemotherapy she underwent.
Eden described the diagnosis as “a massive shock.”
Eden’s younger sister Francesca was only 14 when she learned she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This form of cancer targets white blood cells and is known to develop “rapidly and aggressively,” requiring urgent treatment, according to the NHS.
In 2021, a year after Francesca was declared cancer-free, the sisters appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to discuss her ordeal. Francesca explained: “When I was diagnosed, my cancer cells were at 97 percent — only three percent of my blood cells were actually healthy.”
She went on to describe her symptoms: “I was constantly exhausted and lost a lot of weight. I also had terrible leg pain — excruciating — to the point I couldn’t walk and had to leave school early.
“And I had this huge rash on my legs, which is when the doctors realised it could be something serious.”
Francesca was then officially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, saying: “It was a huge shock. None of us saw it coming.”
Eden learned about her sister’s diagnosis while she was filming on set
Eden was actually filming on the Emmerdale set when she got the call about her sister’s cancer diagnosis. Speaking on Lorraine, she recalled: “The Emmerdale team were incredible.
“We were on a tea break and they just said, ‘Go. Whatever you need, we’re here.’ I was completely shocked. They gave me a month off so that while Ches was undergoing intensive chemo, I could be with her. They were amazing.”
Eden also opened up about watching her sister fight cancer: “It’s unbelievably hard seeing someone you love so much, and someone so young, go through that. You’re there to support them, but you can’t fix it or make it go away.”
Eden’s sister later reached a major milestone in her recovery.
Recently, Eden’s sister reached an incredible milestone in her recovery. In September, she announced that she is now five years cancer-free.
Francesca celebrated the news on her Instagram Story, writing: “From having 97% of my blood cells cancerous, going through two years of chemo, to now being five years cancer-free!”
She added: “I was treated on a @teenage_cancer ward. Teenage Cancer Trust doesn’t receive government funding. The support they give young people during cancer treatment is unbelievable, but it relies entirely on public donations. If you’re able to contribute, please do. I feel the benefits of their work every single day.”
Eden proudly re-posted her sister’s message on her own Instagram Story, saying: “My gorgeous sister. So proud and so thankful @teenage_cancer.”
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