Emmerdale fans may be completely unaware that one soap star, who has been on the ITV series since she was a baby, has another very different career outside of acting
Viewers tuning into Crufts this year might see a very familiar face.
Emmerdale actress Gabrielle Dowling, 18, has revealed to her social media followers that she will be competing at the annual dog show – including in the exciting agility category. The star, who has played Cathy Hope since she was a small child, shared a snap of herself with her pet pooch Fizz.
Gabrielle previously revealed that she and Fizz, a chocolate cocker spaniel, had qualified for two categories.
She had told Inside Soap: “Fizz is a very sensitive dog. She will always try her best in every class, which has led us to win two qualifiers for Crufts in two different categories.
“She’s a brillian dog who knows her job, wants to please, whilst of course having fun.”
The actress continued: “We’ve qualified in the Young Kennel Club Jumping Cup and Pairs Agility, with my partner Lilliana and her dog Fire.”
In fact, Gabrielle is so serious about dog training that she’s completed a course on judging. She explained: “This is so I can become a qualified agility judge, which allows me to judge other dogs and handlers in agility competitions, as well as set grade appropriate courses for them to tackle.”
Gabrielle first got into the hobby three years ago after joining a local “fun club”. But a trainer saw her and her dogs’ potential.
Since then, she has been training to show her dogs across the country. As well as acting and training for dog shows, Gabrielle has been working on her A-levels too.
While Crufts is sure to be an exciting time for Gabrielle, her on-screen counterpart has had it tough as of late. Her brother died at the start of 2024 after a car crash.
In the following months, she developed Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, which has seen her struggling in the Yorkshire Dales.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
