Gabby Thomas

Gabby Thomas

Rosie Bentham as Gabby Thomas (2016)
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by Jemma Giles (2001–02)
Heather Franks (2002-05)
Annelise Manojlovic (2005–15)
Rosie Bentham (2016–)
Duration 2001–
First appearance 25 December 2001
Introduced by Steve Frost
Classification Present; recurring
Profile
Occupation Student
Home Home Farm


Annelise Manojlovic as Gabby Thomas (2015)

Gabrielle Diane "Gabby" Thomas is a fictional character from the British soap opera, Emmerdale. She made her first appearance on 25 December 2001. She was played by Jemma Giles from her birth in 2001 until 2002. Heather Franks then played her from 2002 to 2005 before Annelise Manojlovic played her from 2005 until 2015. The role was recast in 2016 to Rosie Bentham.

Gabby is the daughter of Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles), the stepdaughter of Laurel Potts (Charlotte Bellamy) and Lawrence White (John Bowe) and half-sister to Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke). Gabby's storylines have included her mother Bernice re-entering her life, dealing with her father and stepmother's break up and them eventually reconciling, learning that Ashley has dementia and her teenage rebellion.

Storylines

Gabby is born on Christmas Day 2001, with her paternity in doubt. Her mother, Bernice, had an affair with Carlos Diaz (Gary Turner), the chef at The Woolpack where she was landlady, at the time Gabby was conceived. However, a DNA test reveals Ashley to be the father and he forgives Bernice and the family reunite. However, Bernice does not take to motherhood easily, and decides to leave the village in 2002. Gabby occasionally visits her mother, who later remarries and has a second daughter, Diane.

Gabby continues to live with her father Ashley and on 6 November 2005, he marries Laurel Potts (Charlotte Bellamy), who cares for Gabby as if she was her own. On 26 August 2007, Laurel and Ashley have their first child together, Daniel. Although Gabby initially resents Daniel, when he dies of cot death on 21 February 2008, she is very upset. Months later it is discovered that Daniel was not the Thomas' biological son, due to a baby swap in hospital. Their biological son is Arthur Doland (Alfie Clarke). The stress of this causes Gabby to lean more on her grandfather, Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower), as Ashley and Laurel briefly separate. In June 2008, a court decides that Arthur should go to his natural parents, and Ashley and Laurel take him home. Gabby finds this difficult, and drops Arthur off in front of the house of Greg (Shaun Prendergast) and Mel Doland (Caroline Strong). Eventually, she is taken to a psychiatrist, who finds out that Gabby was afraid she was switched at birth and would be replaced. She soon bonds with Arthur.

When Sally Spode (Siân Reeves) arrived, Gabby was always sent to her bedroom, so she could not see Laurel. At the end of Sally's scheming Gabby became upset. Laurel left and told Ashley that she wanted their children to join her for Christmas Day which Ashley agreed to, even though he was not invited. In 2010, Laurel's father Douglas Potts (Duncan Preston) returned to Emmerdale and this made Gabby very happy as she and her Doug became very close. She enjoyed spending time with him and made him realize that she loved him, by giving him a painting she did at school, with Laurel, Ashley, Arthur, Sandy and herself in the picture.

Gabby returned with Laurel and Arthur in February after Laurel decided to return from her mother's house to give Ashley a second chance, Gabby was overwhelmed to see Ashley and her grandfather Sandy. When Ashley and Laurel split again Gabby went with Laurel and her little brother Arthur to live with Laurel's new boyfriend Marlon Dingle but saw her father Ashley regularly. When Gabby's mother Bernice returned to the village in October 2012, Laurel was a little put out when Gabby wanted to get to know her mother but did not stand in her way. When Laurel and Ashley officially divorced in 2013 she realised she no longer had any rights to Gabby and allowed her to move in with Ashley. Gabby is asked to be a bridesmaid at Laurel's wedding to Marlon Dingle.

In January 2016, Gabby and Arthur both learn that Ashley has dementia. In her mum's salon, Gabby discovers a sex tape of Kerry (Laura Norton) and Dan Spencer (Liam Fox) and she shares it online. Bernice discovers Gabby was responsible and Gabby is forced to clean at the salon. When Bernice refuses to let Gabby get her eyebrows done, Gabby draws them on with permanent maker and Bernice doesn't allow het to go on the skiing trip. When alcohol is found, Ashley suspects it belongs to Laurel, but Douglas Potts (Duncan Preston) finds out it was Gabby's. Gabby is forced to confess to Ashley, who flies off the handle at her. Gabby develops feeling for friend Jacob Gallagher (Joe Warren-Plant) and goes on a date with him. When Jacob gives Gabby a magazine she wants for free, Laurel and Ashley take it back to the shop as she wasn't allowed it. Jacob tells David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) that Gabby and Lachlan broke into Eric's house and took his ring. David confronts Gabby and Lachlan's family, insisting on phoning the police and unhappy with Lawrence White's (John Bowe) suggestion to pay for the damage. Ashley finds out about what Gabby and Lachlan did and he tells Bernice that he wants Gabby to live with him full time. Later, Lawrence admits to Ashley that he wants to be a good father to Gabby, but feels it isn't his place to discipline her and later, they both inform Bernice of the plan for Lawrence to adopt Gabby when his dementia worsens. Gabby and Lachlan later apologise to Eric in front of their family and after, when Gabby complains about being embarrassed and that Lawrence can't tell her what to do as he isn't her father, Ashley tells Gabby that Lawrence is much of a parent to her as him and Bernice. At Laurel's hen do, Gabby learns that Laurel is pregnant. Gabby acts as a bridesmaid at Ashley and Laurel's wedding. Gabby wants to go to a gig that Lachlan is going to, but Ashley and Bernice won't allow her. Lachlan suggests to Gabby that she makes out Ashley gave her permission and forgot. Gabby and Lachlan convince Ashley he gave permission, which is overheard by Jacob. Ashley later tells Gabby about the plan for Lawrence to adopt her, but Gabby doesn't take it well. Jacob tells Ashley what Gabby and Lachlan did when he fears his dementia is worsening. Gabby decides herself not to go to the gig and when she goes to tell her dad, Ashley and Laurel are furious with her. When Gabby feels that Ashley hasn't forgiven her, she gets drunk with Jacob after he tells her that David may have cancer and Gabby later returns home drunk. Gabby overhears Laurel and Ashley discuss discipline methods, with Laurel suggesting boundaries and Ashley suggests talking to her. Gabby also tells Eric that David has cancer. Gabby apologises to Ashley and they make up. Gabby goes shopping with Liv Flaherty (Isobel Steele) for her schoolwear. Gabby falls out with Liv when Liv's half brother Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller) believes Liv has a crush on Jacob and lets it slip to Gabby. Gabby insults Liv and her parents.

Casting

The character of Gabby was played by Jemma Giles from 2001 to 2002. Heather Franks then played the role of Gabby until 2005 when Annelise Manojlovic took over the role from Franks and played Gabby until 2015.[1] The character was recast to Rosie Bentham and she appeared from January 2016.[2][3] Of her casting, Bentham said, "I was out shopping with my mate when I found out I'd got the role. I was jumping around in Boots. It was amazing. I went up to Leeds four times because of call backs. I knew I was down to the last five but I wasn't really expecting to get it. It was incredible when I found out. It's a bit weird, but I had been watching Gabby before I started going up there to see what I could find out about her character." Bentham stated that Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle and James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, helped her as they attended Television Workshop "They were both excited when I told them I was from Television Workshop. I couldn't wish for better people to work with. It sounds like a cliche but we're all one big family." She also added "It was a bit of a shock for people when I first appeared as Gabby. It happens a lot in television and people get used to it. I just took it as 'I'm not playing this character' and didn't really think about whatever had happened in the past." Bentham is chaperoned by her parents.[4]

Development

Ashley and Laurel's separation

When Ashley and Laurel divorced, Laurel started a relationship with Marlon Dingle. Gabby takes a disliking to Marlon, resulting in Laurel losing Gabby to Ashley. Bellamy said, “Gabby’s taken a real dislike to Marlon. It’s not personal but, to Gabby, Marlon is the reason she, Arthur, Laurel and Ashley are no longer a happy family. I think the writers are handling this very well and very realistically. It’s what often happens when a family unravels.” Bellamy added how she ends up losing Gabby, “Gabby’s off school sick and behaving badly to irritate Laurel. She then sees Laurel and Marlon kissing and yells at Laurel, telling her how much she hates her and also saying Laurel’s not her real mum. Not surprisingly, this really upsets Laurel, but worse is to come. Marlon tries to calm Gabby down and she lashes out. Gabby then claims Marlon hit her! She decides to tell Ashley what’s happened and that Gabby’s making things up. Laurel doesn’t want Gabby telling Ashley her own version. She’s also angry with Ashley, believing he’s trying to turn Gabby even more against Marlon than she is already. Ashley makes arrangements for Gabby to move into the pub with him." Speaking of how Laurel is towards Gabby, Bellamy said, "Legally, Laurel is only Gabby’s stepmother. But as far Laurel as concerned, Gabby is her daughter. And I think Gabby would very happily accept Laurel as Mummy again if only Laurel and Ashley would get back together. But I very much doubt that is going to happen.[5][6]

Bernice's return

In 2012, Giles reprised her role of Bernice. Giles explained how her arrival would impact on Gabby, saying, “Bernice thinks they’ll enjoy spending time together. She hasn’t really thought about the hard time that Gabby’s had recently with the breakdown of Ashley and Laurel’s marriage. Bernice isn’t being intentionally horrible, but it just hasn’t occurred to her that Laurel might be worried about how Bernice’s reappearance will affect Laurel’s relationship with Gabby. Bernice has always been rather patronising and dismissive towards Laurel because she sees her as a cleaner, which is what Laurel was when Bernice first met her.”[7]

Reception

In episodes broadcast in February 2016, Gabby was seen drawing on a Scouse brow with permanent marker as part of her under-age drinking storyline. Many viewers took to social media to ridicule Gabby's look, despite the serious nature of plot.[8] A columnist for Inside Soap commented, "Gabby Thomas isn't a bad girl, but she really ought to think twice before listening to sneaky Lachlan."[9]

References

  1. ↑ Tutton, Charlotte (2016). "Emmerdale: Viewers react to unexpected Gabby Thomas recast: 'No wonder Ashley's confused'". OK!. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Harp, Justin (4 January 2016). "Emmerdale fans are shocked as Ashley's daughter Gabby is recast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  3. ↑ Lindsay, Duncan (5 January 2016). "Emmerdale's Gabby Thomas has been re-cast-with a cheeky make-up joke". Metro. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Pritchard, Jon (26 February 2016). "Emmerdale role for Television Workshop's latest star". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Connolly, Lynn (28 September 2012). "Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy reveals "Laurel loses Gabby" after the child claims Marlon hit her". Unreality TV. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Emmerdale's Charlotte: 'Laurel loses Gabby'". What's On TV. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Connolly, Lynn (14 November 2012). "Emmerdale: Samantha Giles says Bernice will be "patronising and dismissive" to Laurel because she sees her "as a cleaner!"". Unreality TV. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  8. ↑ McGeorge, Alistair (18 February 2016). "Gabby Thomas' Emmerdale eyebrows cause social media meltdown as viewers mock 'Scouse brow' despite serious story". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Our 5 top soap picks for this Wednesday night!". Inside Soap. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.

External links

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