Emmerdale’s Karen Blick has revealed she used healing crystals to help her cope while filming the soap’s harrowing new rape storyline.
The actress, 48, who has played the role of Lydia Dingle since 2016, has shot devastating scenes for the plot which sees her character assaulted by ex-boyfriend Craig.
Karen recalled how a pal who works as a crystal healer got in touch and offered their services in order to help her find a ‘healthy coping mechanism’.
Telling The Daily Star ‘I’m really open-minded about things like this and I thought ‘Well it can’t hurt. I’ll give it a go”.
Karen said that her friend gave her the precious stones to carry around during filming: ‘I found it was a useful ritual to absorb some of the negative energy and some of the thoughts, feelings, emotions around this story’.
Tough times: Emmerdale’s Karen Blick, 48, has revealed she used healing crystals to help her cope while filming the soap’s harrowing new rape storyline
Heartbreak: The actress, who has played the role of Lydia Dingle in the soap since 2016, has shot a whole host of hard-hitting scenes for the plot which sees her character assaulted by ex-boyfriend Craig (pictured on the show)
Crystal healing is an alternative-medicine practice that uses stones with the idea that they have healing powers, but there is no scientific basis for this claim.
Karen also used a string of other methods to deal with the challenging storyline including hypnotherapy and yoga.
Telling the publication: ‘I was keen to find healthy, productive coping mechanisms. I made sure that I was in a good, strong, physical, psychological place in order to tackle this story’.
Meanwhile the actress revealed she was left in tears and ‘begged’ Emmerdale bosses to save her character from being raped after being told of the storyline.
Recalling the moment she told The Sun: ‘My initial reaction was “Please don’t do this to Lydia. Please!”.
‘I felt very protective of the character, and conflicted as an actor, because it’s an important story. It needs telling. But then, it’s this terrible thing happening to somebody you are so close to, and the repercussions for that character, going forward.’
She went on to reveal how she and co-star James Hooton, who plays husband Sam, were left heartbroken by the writers plans for the beloved character.
‘Both of us had tears in our eyes. It was a really moving, strong reaction. Certainly, it was the strongest reaction I’ve ever had to a potential story, emotionally.’
Trouble ahead: Karen recalled how a pal who works as crystal healer got in touch and offered their services in order to fins a ‘healthy coping mechanism’
Devastating: Meanwhile the actress revealed she was left in tears and ‘begged’ Emmerdale bosses to save her character from being raped after being told of the storyline
The cleaner has been reconnecting with her former pal after sharing that they sadly lost a stillborn child when she was a teenager.
But in dark scenes set to air next month, Craig’s behaviour takes a sinister turn and he forces himself on her.
In a state of shock after the attack, Lydia has to make the decision whether or not to report the rape to the police.
In the coming weeks, Lydia will struggle to come to terms with what has happened and will internalise the attack.
Friendly now! The cleaner has been reconnecting with her former pal after sharing that they sadly lost a stillborn child when she was a teenager
Terrifying: But in dark scenes set to air next month, Craig’s behaviour takes a sinister turn and he forces himself on her
Unaware and oblivious of her ordeal, her family and friends soon grow increasingly worried about her behaviour.
The episodes have been produced with the support of Rape Crisis England and Wales, who have worked closely with Emmerdale to ensure the story is portrayed accurately and sensitively.
Speaking about the hard-hitting storyline, actress Karen Blick said: ‘Lydia’s rape is one of the most important and sensitive stories I have been part of during my time in Emmerdale.
‘The research, preparation and aftermath of this story has been challenging and eye opening for me.
‘One in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult, and after reading this statistic I found myself standing in the canteen at ITV looking around as that figure really shocked me.’
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or www.victimsupport.org.uk.
