Emmerdale star Natalie J Robb has addressed her future with the long-running show as her fan-favourite character faces a shock double murder charge.

The actress, who debuted on the ITV soap in 2009, has confirmed that Moira Dingle will be sent to prison, with “intense” scenes on the way. In upcoming episodes, the character will be charged by police over the murders of Anya and Celia Daniels after the bodies of both women are found buried on Moira’s land, leading to her arrest

But she said fans should not fear that it will lead to her departure on the show after 17 years in the role. Addressing whether she too feared it was the end of Moira once bosses told her what was on the cards, Natalie revealed she was going nowhere for the time being, with no plans for Moira to leave.

She told the Mirror: “I think that would be the first thing they would say to you, they’d say this is going to be it. I’ve been lucky enough just to get another contract so I think they would obviously have to say, sorry you’re going to be leaving and this is gonna be your out.

“So when they just told me about the story I didn’t think that I would be leaving. I just didn’t really know how long I was going to be in for, and how serious the allegations were going to be at that point.”

Moira is set for a “nightmare” ordeal as she fails to prove her innocence. Natalie said: “She just feels like she’s losing everything. She’s got Cain to worry about. In a weird way, I think that’s what’s getting her through where she’s at at the minute.” She added: “She’s just so overwhelmed by the fact that it’s actually all happening. She can’t believe it.”

Natalie said the scenes have been “intense”. She explained: “It’s usually always like a two-hander, so they’re intense. I’ve done a few with Jeff Hordley [who plays Cain Dingle] already. They are good scenes.”