Emmerdale‘s Natalie J Robb is one of the show’s leading stars today, but long before she joined the soap, she was known for another hit Brit series.
The Moira Dingle actress played PC Andrea Dunbar on The Bill for two years running, wrapping up in 2005.
Before landing the role on the ITV copper series, the 45-year-old played Jude Carlyle on Doctors.
When the opportunity arose to play undercover journalist Andrea on the show, Natalie jumped ship.
The young reporter was placed in Sun Hill police station by her newspaper editor, to undercover the dirty secrets behind the police force.
(Image: Thames Television)
Things got a little sticky when Andrea embarked on an illicit affair with her married co-worker, Detective Inspective Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel).
Eventually, the other police officers find out the truth about her job as a reporter, and her reputation was left in ruins.
In heartbreaking scenes, Andrea’s character was killed off in the notorious Sun Hill fire of 2005.
(Image: Thames Television)
With her copper’s uniform and extra-neat presentation, Natalie looks completely different from her character on Emmerdale.
Four years later, she joined the ITV soap as Moira, donning farmer’s overalls as she headed out to work in the Dales.
Reflecting on her career, Natalie told The Sun earlier this year: “It’s been the luck of the draw. When I’ve gone up for the parts, I’ve got them.
(Image: ITV)
“I’m very grateful to be in the position I’m in because it’s allowed me to buy my house, which is something a lot of actors aren’t able to do.”
Moira has a devastating few months ahead of her this Christmas, as her drinking habit starts to spiral out of control.
Will her spurned husband Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) ever mend her broken heart?
