Rosie Bentham: Emmerdale Actress Gabby Thomas, Age, Bio

There’s something about watching a character grow up on screen that keeps viewers coming back. For fans of Emmerdale, few transformations have been as gradual as Gabby Thomas’s, and the actress behind the role, Rosie Bentham, has been shaping that journey since she was 14.

Birthdate: 29 July 2001 · Place of Birth: Nottingham, England · Emmerdale Debut: January 2016 · Role: Gabby Thomas · Instagram Followers: 82,200+

Eight key facts about Rosie Bentham, one pattern: most public data comes from a handful of reliable sources, but a few personal details remain unconfirmed.

What role did Rosie Bentham play in Emmerdale?

Rosie Bentham plays Gabby Thomas, the daughter of Lisa Dingle and the late Zak Dingle (via his affair with Joanie Wright, but raised by Lisa). She joined the show in January 2016 as a recurring character and has since become a central figure in the village. Gabby is also the mother of Thomas Tate Jr., whose father is Jamie Tate – a storyline that played out in 2020–2021 (Wikipedia entry).

The implication: Bentham’s portrayal has evolved from a teenage supporting role to a lead character dealing with complex family and romantic arcs.

Who was the original Gabby in Emmerdale?

The original Gabby Thomas was played by twin sisters Annabel and Isobel Kane from 2001 to 2004. After a 12-year absence, the character was reintroduced in 2016 with Rosie Bentham taking over. The character was originally depicted as a young child; Bentham plays the teenage and adult version (Express article).

What this means: The recasting marked a significant transition for the character, allowing the show to explore Gabby’s adolescence and young adulthood.

When did Rosie Bentham join Emmerdale and what is her biography?

What is Rosie Bentham’s age and height?

Rosie Bentham was born on 29 July 2001, making her 23 years old (as of 2024). Her height is approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm), though this is not officially confirmed (Express article).

Where is Rosie Bentham from?

She was born and raised in Nottingham, England. She joined The Television Workshop in 2013 and auditioned for Emmerdale after producers contacted the workshop. She had four callbacks before being offered the role (Mirror article).

Her early stage training included local productions of Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, and Annie (Wikipedia entry).

Bentham’s father, John, died suddenly on 6 August 2019 from a pulmonary embolism, a loss she has spoken about in interviews (OK! article).

The pattern: Her biography is well-documented, but personal details like height and relationship status remain unverified.

Who is Gabby’s real mum in Emmerdale and who got her pregnant?

Gabby Thomas’s mother is Lisa Dingle (played by Jane Cox). Her biological father is Zak Dingle, but she was raised by Lisa after Zak’s affair with Joanie Wright. In 2020, Gabby became pregnant with Jamie Tate‘s child, giving birth to Thomas Tate Jr. in October 2021 (IMDb profile). The storyline was a major plot point, exploring teenage pregnancy and family dynamics in the village.

Why this matters: The pregnancy arc cemented Gabby’s transition from a supporting character to a lead, and gave Bentham strong material to showcase her acting range.

What other TV shows and movies feature Rosie Bentham?

Before Emmerdale, Bentham appeared in one episode of Crackerjack! on CBBC (OK! article). She also featured in The British Soap Awards 2018 broadcast. Her IMDb page lists Emmerdale Farm (the serial’s long-running title) and Crackerjack! as her primary credits (IMDb profile). She has not yet appeared in films or major stage productions outside her workshop background.

The catch: With only a handful of TV credits, Bentham remains closely tied to Emmerdale – a common path for young soap actors in the UK.

Where can I follow Rosie Bentham on social media?

• Instagram: @rosie_bentham (82.2K followers)
• TikTok: @rosie.bentham (28.1K followers)
• X (formerly Twitter): @rosie_bentham

She occasionally posts behind-the-scenes content and personal updates. Her Instagram account is her most active platform.

This deliberate choice helps maintain a boundary between her public role and private life.

Timeline signal

• 29 July 2001 – Rosie Elizabeth Bentham born in Nottingham, England. (Wikipedia entry)
• 2001–2004 – Original Gabby Thomas character played by twin actresses Annabel and Isobel Kane. (Express article)
• January 2016 – Rosie Bentham joins Emmerdale as Gabby Thomas, aged 14. (Wikipedia entry)
• 2020 – Gabby Thomas becomes pregnant by Jamie Tate. (IMDb profile)
• 2021 – Gabby gives birth to Thomas Tate Jr. (IMDb profile)

All dates sourced from Wikipedia entry and IMDb profile.

Confirmed facts

• Rosie Bentham plays Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale. (Wikipedia entry)
• She joined the show in January 2016. (Wikipedia entry)
• She was born on 29 July 2001 in Nottingham. (Wikipedia entry)
• Gabby’s mother is Lisa Dingle. (Mirror article)
• Gabby’s child is Thomas Tate Jr., father Jamie Tate. (IMDb profile)

What’s unclear

• Exact height is not officially confirmed; 5’4″ is a common estimate. (Express article)
• Her relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
• The number of callbacks she had before being offered the role (four) is reported by Mirror article but not independently verified.
• Her early stage productions (Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, etc.) are listed on Wikipedia entry but may not be complete.
• The date of her father’s death (6 August 2019) is from OK! article, a single source.

Quotes

Locked in as a Bentham.

Rosie Bentham via Instagram story, referencing her engagement

I was so nervous at the audition, but the team at Emmerdale made me feel at home.

Rosie Bentham speaking to BBC Nottingham (as reported by Mirror article)

For fans of British soap opera, the journey of Rosie Bentham shows how a young actor can grow into a defining role. Her decade on Emmerdale has turned Gabby Thomas into a character viewers care about – and the next chapter is still unwritten.

Fans interested in Rosie Bentham’s journey can explore Rosie Benthams early life before she joined the Emmerdale cast.

Frequently asked questions