Emmerdale fans have been left gobsmacked after realising Dales legend Moira Barton star Natalie J. Robb previously appeared in a rival soap. Since 2009, the 49-year-old has played the iconic Moira Barton and has become a firm favourite with viewers so much so, that she’s scooped plenty of awards over the years.
And it’s fair to say Moira has had many ups and downs during her time on the soap, including marrying into the Dingle clan and her beloved daughter overdosing on drugs. And of course the character’s countless steamy affairs. What’s more, over in the famous village recently, Moira was given the life-changing news that she had a brain tumour, leaving her and her family devastated.
Prior to her stint on Emmerdale though, Natalie had roles in a range of TV shows and films. In 2001, she took on the role of Jude Carlyle in the BBC daytime soap Doctors – which is where her soap career began. However, fans of Emmerdale are only just realising that Natalie appeared on the rival soap EastEnders - and she starred alongside a Walford legend.
The actress popped up in EastEnders in July 2006 as Gemma Clewes, Max Branning’s (Jake Wood) mistress. Over on an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one fan uploaded photos of Natalie on the BBC soap and shared their shock at her forgotten role. They captioned the post: “Max's bit on the side.
“None other than the woman who plays Moira Dingle now in Emmerdale. I didn't even remember it,” they added. Someone else chimed in and repli.
