Emmerdale's Gabby Thomas is heading down a dangerous path as her healthy eating obsession becomes a pathological fixation, actress Rosie Bentham has revealed. What began as an interest in proper nutrition has rapidly turned into a worrying compulsion that borders on starvation, disguised as 'clean eating'.
Control at the core
According to Bentham, Gabby's fixation stems from a deep need for 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.'
After a failed marriage to Vinny Dingle and rejection by Ross Barton, Gabby's self-esteem hit rock bottom. She reasserted control by putting all her energy into working out and adopting a strict diet. This lifestyle is now impacting not only her mental health but also those around her. She has forbidden her son Thomas Tate from having a frozen lolly and even prevented him from attending a friend's birthday party because the food was not up to her standards.
Enabling by those around her
So far, only her housemate and sister figure Dawn Taylor has found Gabby's fitness fixation concerning. After finding Gabby collapsed on the kitchen floor from a dizzy spell, Dawn urged her to see a doctor. Gabby agreed, but she managed to hide the sinister side of her 'healthy lifestyle' from GP Manpreet Sharma. '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.'
Gabby's boyfriend Billy Fletcher, a personal trainer, also inadvertently enables her. '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.' However, Gabby's relationship with Billy is plagued by insecurity because he is Dawn's ex-husband. According to Rosie, '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.'
Dawn's interference and a bleak future
When Dawn discovers Gabby has stopped birth control, she tells Billy, hoping to scare him off. Gabby reacts with jealousy. '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.'
Rosie warns that the future is bleak. '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.'
Despite the dark story, Rosie advocates for balance. '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.'
