Emmerdale star warns Gabby’s ‘pathological fixation’ will take dark turn

The danger facing Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale is hiding in plain sight. What started as an interest in proper nutrition is rapidly becoming a worrying obsession. Actress (Rosie Bentham) is here to reveal just how bad it gets…

At first glance, Gabby looks like a perfectly healthy young woman. A promising young entrepreneur managing Hawksford Outdoor Pursuits, promoting healthy eating at the Hide Bistro, which she co-owns, dating personal trainer Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) and preaching the benefits of sensible eating to legions of online followers.

However, the truth is that Gabby has fallen into a dark rabbit hole of extremely restrictive eating that borders on starvation, masquerading as ‘clean eating’.

Why has Gabby fallen prey to this troubling compulsion? Actress Rosie Benthan, who portrays the character, has the answer – and it’s all about control.

‘It is a massive sense of control. Gabby has had a difficult time-failed relationships, rejection, failed marriages. She has tried to fix her life with men, romance, business, and money, and now she is trying to prioritise herself. She wants to be in control of her health, her child, and her life. But it becomes a compulsive, pathological fixation. She is also judging others, which reflects the current social media pressure to fit into a certain bracket’.

Control is certainly something that Gabby is struggling for. After a failed marriage to Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) and being rejected by Ross Barton (Michael Parr), the poor girl’s self-esteem hit rock bottom and she re-asserted control by putting all her energy into working out and adopting a strict diet.

Unfortunately, this ‘lifestyle’ is not only impacting Gabby’s mental health, but the people she cares for. She forbid her son Thomas Tate (Bertie Brotherton) from having a frozen lolly, and even prevented the poor lad from going to a friend’s birthday party because the food being served was not up to standard.

So far, the only one to find Gabby’s new fitness fixation somewhat concerning his her housemate and sister from another mister, Dawn Taylor’s (Olivia Bromley). So when Dawn found her bestie collapsed on the kitchen floor after being struck by a dizzy spell, she urged Gabby to see a doctor. Surprisingly Gabby agreed. Unfortunately, she is able to hide the sinister side of her ‘healthy lifestyle’ from anyone, including an experienced GP like Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) – and even herself.

‘She is completely unaware that it is becoming obsessive.’ Rosie insists.

‘She has a dizzy spell, and Manpreet talks to her about health and potential pregnancy, but overall, it’s just seen as a “pat on the back” for living healthily. It reinforces Gabby’s mindset that she is doing the best thing for herself. While eating healthy is a positive thing, for Gabby, this is developing into a complete, pathological fixation.’

‘Manpreet asks if she is eating healthily, and Gabby says “absolutely”- which is technically true, but she’s not eating enough of it. It’s reinforcing her mindset that she’s doing the best for herself’

This is just one example of Gabby being inadvertently enabled by her those around her. Viewers have seen Billy do his best to be the supportive boyfriend and encourage Gabby to focus on what makes her feel good.

‘Billy is a personal trainer, so they have the same vibe and work ethic.’ Rosie explains ‘He supports her, telling her it’s a great idea to focus on something new. Gabby loves that he likes her for who she is and that there is no criticism.’

Unfortunately, even her relationship with Billy is plagued with insecurity… because he just so happens to be her best friend’s ex husband, an ex that Dawn seemingly still carries a little torch for. According to Rosie, Gabby knows this deep down – and it’s making her worse.

‘I think Gabby does secretly think there is still something there between Dawn and Billy. Whether there is or not, it speaks to Gabby’s depth of insecurity and feeling not good enough.’

‘It would be heartbreaking. If Billy were to dump her, it would likely push her further into this obsessive behavior. She should probably stay away from men for a while and establish herself.’

Another factor that could push Gabby over the edge is Dawn herself. The Home Farm gal is definitely not okay with her mate dating her ex, so she’s ABSOLUTELY not okay when Gabby decides to come off birth control. So in an act of meddling, she blabs this to Billy, hoping it will scare him off. Needless to stay, Gabby does not take this well.

‘Gabby doesn’t want any interference in her relationship with Billy. She wants “tunnel vision” – the love story and her business. Dawn’s interference brings out Gabby’s jealousy, which shows the fragile aspect of her emotions.’

Gabby’s present circumstances look pretty grim as she continues to suffer in silence with crushing insecurities, and according to Rosie, it’s about to get a whole lot worse.

‘I think the future is more bleak than bright with this behavior. While she has found stability in her business, the dark tunnel she is going down is extreme. She is making food the “villain” – for example, not wanting Thomas at a party because of the menu. It is consuming her whole brain.’

Gabby may have an obsessive and dangerous relationship with food, but Rosie’s definitely got the balance right as she opens up about her own tips for healthy living.

‘I enjoy the gym, I enjoy eating healthy, but I also enjoy a takeaway on a Friday. It’s all about balance. My secret is moderation. Do your own research, ignore the misinformation online, and do what makes you feel good. Don’t be easily influenced by people online who have a different metabolism or age than you.’

‘We can all get more sleep can’t we? But I think the important thing with health it’s getting balance and moderation to avoid the “food noise” that Gabby is experiencing.’