Belle Dingle

Belle Dingle
Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle (2015)
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	James Mather (1998–2000) Emily Mather (1998–2005) Eden Taylor-Draper (2005–)
Duration	1998–
First appearance	25 December 1998
Spin-off appearances	Emmerdale: The Dingles – For Richer for Poorer (2010)
Classification	Present; regular
Profile
Occupation	Student Personal assistant Ambassador Businesswoman
Home	Wishing Well Cottage
Emily Mather as Belle Dingle
Father Zak Dingle Mother Lisa Dingle Stepmother Joanie Wright (2016–2017) Half-brothers Nathan Dingle Ben Dingle Butch Dingle Sam Dingle Cain Dingle Half-sisters Tina Dingle Grandfathers Jedediah Dingle Grandmothers Peg Dingle Uncles Shadrach Dingle Albert Dingle Caleb Dingle Ezra Dingle Nephews Samson Dingle Kyle Wyatt Nieces Debbie Dingle First cousins Mandy Dingle Marlon Dingle Eli Dingle Chas Dingle Genesis Walker Lilith Dingle Delilah Dingle Other relatives Charity Tate Sarah Sugden Jack Sugden Lizzie Lakely Aaron Livesy Noah Dingle

Tinkerbelle Lisa "Belle" Dingle is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Eden Taylor-Draper. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 25 December 1998 and was originally played by twins James and Emily Mather, with the latter leaving the role in 2005. Belle has featured in many storylines throughout her time on the show such as falling down a mineshaft, killing her best friend Gemma Andrews (Tendai Rinomhota), and suffering from psychosis, a mental illness triggered by what she did.

Belle is born on Christmas Day 1998 to Zak (Steve Halliwell) and Lisa Dingle (Jane Cox). Lisa is unaware that she is pregnant until she goes into labour and local vet Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) delivers Belle. When Belle is seven-years-old, she goes missing, after she is left at home under the care of her uncle Shadrach (Andy Devine), who had fallen asleep. Daz Eden (Luke Tittensor) visits, bringing his pet ferret Spike. Although being warned not to, Belle lets the ferret out of his cage and in a panic, chases him through the fields. As she pursues him, she falls down a mine shaft. Daz is forced to leave the house, and when he finds her, dives in to help her out, but discovers that they are trapped, with the risk of freezing or drowning in the water. Daz manages to keep Belle afloat, until they are eventually rescued by the Dingles and the fire brigade. Belle acts as ring bearer at her cousin Marlon's (Mark Charnock) wedding to Donna Windsor (Verity Rushworth) and she briefly moves in with Marlon shortly after.

Belle's test results show that she is amongst the cleverest 2% of children her age and she wins a place at a private school, but she does not receive a full scholarship. The Dingles worry about how to pay the fees, and have to tell Belle that she is unlikely to go. Rosemary King (Linda Thorson) takes a liking to Belle and offers to pay the fees. Lisa initially refuses, but when Belle falls ill and Rosemary visits her in the hospital, Lisa changes her mind. On her first day at the school, Belle is paired with Ayesha, who helps her get to know the school. They become fast friends, but when Ayesha convinces her to talk about Shadrach in class, the teacher is unimpressed. Belle convinces Rosemary to help her throw a party at Mill Cottage for her friends. At the party, she impresses the girls by claiming to live at Mill Cottage with Rosemary and Grayson Sinclair (Christopher Villiers). Belle's parents find out about the party and later discuss taking her out of the school. The Dingles end their friendship with Rosemary and Zak briefly take up bare-knuckle fighting to raise money for the school fees. His granddaughter Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) lends them the money so Belle can keep her place.