Emmerdale viewers have been confusing newcomer DS Thea Ramsden with another village resident, Gabby Thomas, due to their striking resemblance.
DS Ramsden's secret investigation
DS Thea Ramsden, played by Chelsea Edge, arrived in the village earlier this month to investigate the death of Dr Caitlin Todd, portrayed by Caroline Harker. ITV soap viewers know that Sarah Sugden, played by Katie Hill, accidentally killed the evil doctor, but her grandmother, Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, took the blame.
Serena Sugden, played by Casey Al-Shaqsy, helped Charity make the crime look like an act of self-defence by using Dr Todd's lifeless arm to scratch Charity. Serena then fled the scene before police arrived, but it was later revealed that she was very close friends with Thea.
Viewer confusion over resemblance
As Thea continues to worm her way into Home Farm without detection, many Emmerdale viewers have found themselves mistaking her for Gabby Thomas, played by Rosie Bentham, who is preparing to file for divorce from her ex-husband, Vinny Dingle, played by Bradley Johnson.
During the latest episode on Thursday, August 20, now streaming on ITVX, Kev Barton, played by Chris Coghill, asked Gabby if she could speed up the divorce so that Vinny could marry his son, Lewis, played by Bradley Riches. Vinny was slightly apprehensive, telling Gabby in The Hide: "It's just all happening a bit quick, isn't it?" Gabby replied: "I mean, you never know, Vinny. If you don't take this chance, you might regret it. I mean, I definitely don't regret me and you... So, if your heart does tell you to go for this, I think you should listen."
Fan reactions on social media
ITV viewers were distracted by Gabby's likeness to DS Ramsden, with one Reddit user writing: "They should have picked another actress to play DS Ramsden. She looks so much like Gabby from certain angles that I'm getting confused thinking she's actually Gabby." Another added: "I'm getting Gabby x Debbie from her, keeps throwing me off." A third said: "I thought the same! She also isn't very likeable. Cops usually aren't but she seems full of herself."
Thea was last seen sneaking around Home Farm this week, while Joe Tate, played by Ned Porteous, surprised his fiancée, Dawn Fletcher, played by Olivia Bromley, with a joint stag and hen do. Graham Foster, played by Andrew Scarborough, soon arrived to speak to the detective, shortly before warning her that he could call the Chief Constable. Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
