Gabrielle Dowling, known for her role as Cathy Hope, will be leaving the soap for months
Emmerdale’s Gabrielle Dowling, known for her role as Cathy Hope, is set to take a hiatus from the soap after an impressive 18-year stint.
The actress has been portraying Cathy since she was just a tot.
However, Gabrielle will be stepping back from the show to concentrate on her upcoming A-level exams.
It means she will be gone from the soap for a few months.
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An insider told The Sun : “Gabrielle has been working solidly on the show for her entire life but with her A levels coming up thought it was best to take a break to focus on them.
“She will be gone for a matter of months and will return later in the year once exam season is over.
“Her exit storyline is being kept quiet until it plays out on screen but it’s only going to be a temporary one.”
In a twist of fate, last year saw her real-life twin brother Sebastian depart from his role as Heath on Emmerdale.
His character met a tragic end in a car accident on the ITV soap.
Earlier this month, Gabrielle made waves when it was revealed she had a second career as a dog trainer, even competing at Crufts.
At the esteemed dog show, she managed to secure spots in two categories with her chocolate cocker spaniel, Fizz, whom she bred and trained on her family farm.
“Fizz is a very sensitive dog,” Gabrielle told Inside Soap.
“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 brilliant dog who knows her job, wants to please, whilst of course having fun.”