Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) is delighted to see The Hide suffer another setback in Emmerdale soon, as his plan to take over the business continues. The local restaurant recently underwent huge change after Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) decided the menus needed to be healthier.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Gabby has developed orthorexia, and switched the dishes on offer at The Hide to encourage people to consume 'pure' or 'clean' food. While there is no doubt the overnight oats and plant-based burgers are tasty, Gabby is not thinking about the fact that not everyone wants to eat the things she has become hyper-fixated on.
Robert overhears The Hide's money troubles
On top of not having as many customers as normal, constantly sourcing organic ingredients is also causing problems for The Hide's finances. Next week, Robert overhears a conversation about how the restaurant is struggling with money, and is pleased to learn that things are going badly for Gabby and Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy).
Later, Laurel faces a massive problem when she finds Gabby on the floor. Learning that she has experienced a panic attack, Laurel tries to find out what is troubling Gabby. She cannot get her answers immediately, as Gabby collapses and Laurel is forced to call an ambulance.
Gabby agrees to reveal her orthorexia
In the hospital, a nervous Gabby confirms to Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) that she can tell Laurel about her orthorexia. She is emotional, but ready to accept she needs help.
'Gabby has had a lot of heartbreak recently and rejection from men', star Rosie Bentham said, reflecting on what Gabby has been through. 'This is why, when this story came up, I thought it was the perfect fit for her because she has dealt with grief, heartbreak, failed marriages, her mum's not there. I picture Gabby as the kind of people who wakes up everyday and asks "what can I do today to make my life better and make sense of all this chaos around me?"'
'This is where orthorexia creeps in. You think that you're taking control, but actually, at what point is it a complete pathological fixation that you can't like go of?'
'If you don't meet those expectations of yourself by your diet, it can then fall into self-destructive behaviours of feeling guilty, having horrible days where you have got to make up for the fact that maybe yesterday, you ate something you shouldn't have eaten.'
'I felt that was a really important subject to touch on and fit Gabby's narrative of searching for something and trying to take control as much as she can, but bless her, she hasn't really ever had that.'
