Emmerdale character Cathy Hopem played by Gabrielle Dowling has been at the centre of the major plot in the soap after she battled premenstrual dysphoric disorder - which meant she faced bouts of heavy periods and major mood swings.
Cathy was so affected that viewers witnessed the teen rebel binge drinking and even in one scene, attacking her father, Bob Hope.
However, in a bit to help her deal with her gruelling condition, Cathy left the village to stay with her half-brother Scott Windsor.
Now, she has returned and fans saw her open up to Bob's partner Wendy, explaining that she is still struggling with her emotionally draining condition.
Luckily for Gabrielle, who plays the teen on-screen, her life is very different to her character.
The actress has a famous family - including her co-star brother and famous mother, who also shared the spotlight with her children.
Previously, Gabrielle's mother Louise Dowling was a famous professional dancer but she made the decision to pursue a career in acting, securing a number of small parts as an extra in multiple productions.
Louise was keen to secure a better future for Gabrielle and her brother, signing her unborn twins up for a role in Emmerdale - under one condition, which ensured that their acting must not interfere with their home life. Now, 16 years later, it's clear her decision paid off as the child star has been on ITV screens her entire life
Gabrielle is not the only sibling to have found success in Emmerdale, her brother, Sebastian Dowling, joined the long-running soap in 2007 and the pair also play on-screen siblings.
Behind-the-scenes Louise has opened up on how the production would get her kids to cry on cue, finding a secret method to get the job done.
Louise informed bosses that her children, who luckily had a placid nature, would only cry if hungry.
Speaking to The Examiner, Louise explained: "They sometimes want them to cry, which can be difficult because they don't really cry much unless they're hungry.” This meant that production would give the tots a bottle before taking it away for the scene, to prompt them to cry when needed - something which Louise had previously said she was fine with. She added: “It's only for a few seconds while they film. I'm chilled out about it.”
The twins play 16-year-olds in the soap but in actual fact, they are 17 years old. They made their soap debut when they were aged just four weeks old.
Speaking about joining the show, Gabrielle told Metro online: "I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to build the role that I’ve grown up with and develop the character of Cathy whilst learning from experienced actors and directors. I’ve been in the soap since I was four weeks old so it’s second nature to me. It’s one big family, everyone gets on and it’s a great atmosphere to work in.”
She continued: "The studio and village have been a huge part of my life along with my brother’s. Having celebrated birthdays on set allowed me to feel close with the people around me and showed me how much of a family we are."
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