If you’ve ever watched Emmerdale and wondered who plays Gabby Thomas with that mix of teenage rebellion and quiet vulnerability, meet Rosie Bentham. She’s been in the role since 2016, growing up on screen while the character navigated everything from family secrets to online catfishing. This article pulls together verified facts about her age, career, relationship, and social media — with named sources throughout.
Age: 24 (born 29 July 2001) ·
Known for: Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale ·
Years active: 2016–present ·
Instagram followers: 82,000 ·
TikTok followers: 28,200 ·
Notable work: Emmerdale (2016–), Crackerjack!
Quick snapshot
- English actress born 29 July 2001 in Nottingham (Wikipedia biography)
- Plays Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale since January 2016 (Emmerdale wiki on Wikipedia)
- Exact identity of her boyfriend — not named in any reliable source
- Future departure from Emmerdale — no confirmation
- Height — not reported in any verified source
- — reveals secret boyfriend in three-year relationship (Mirror exclusive)
- Continues filming Emmerdale as Gabby Thomas — no announced exit
- Public interest in her love life likely to persist given recent coverage
Nine key facts at a glance, drawn from verified sources:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rosie Elizabeth Bentham |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale |
| Instagram handle | @rosie_bentham |
| TikTok handle | @rosie.bentham |
| Contact email | enquiries@rosiebentham.co.uk |
What role did Rosie Bentham play in Emmerdale?
Gabby Thomas character background
- Rosie Bentham portrays Gabby Thomas, the daughter of Laurel Thomas and the late Ashley Thomas, according to Emmerdale’s character page on Wikipedia.
- Gabby first appeared on Christmas Day 2001, played by child actors until Bentham took over in January 2016 (Wikipedia character history).
Key storylines involving Gabby Thomas
- Gabby’s storylines have included family feuds, romantic entanglements, and an online catfishing plot.
- As of 2026, Radio Times reports that Bentham is 24 and continues in the role with new storylines (Radio Times Emmerdale coverage).
Bottom line: Rosie Bentham has been the longest-running actress to play Gabby Thomas, anchoring a character that bridges classic family drama with modern teenage challenges. For soap fans, she’s the definitive Gabby.
Who was the original Gabby in Emmerdale?
Previous actresses who played Gabby Thomas
- Gabby Thomas was originally played by several child actors — including Amelia Flanagan (born 2008) — before Rosie Bentham took over the role in 2016, as documented on Wikipedia’s Gabby Thomas page.
- Bentham is the longest-running actress in the role, having played Gabby for a decade as of 2026.
The implication: The recast allowed the character to mature in real time, giving Bentham the chance to shape Gabby’s identity beyond the initial child-actor portrayals.
Rosie Bentham’s tenure means she’s the only Gabby that many younger Emmerdale viewers have known — her continuity gives weight to the character’s growth from schoolgirl to young adult.
Is Rosie Bentham in a relationship?
Rosie Bentham’s secret boyfriend
- In August 2025, the Mirror (UK tabloid) reported that Bentham revealed she has been in a relationship for almost three years with a quantity surveyor based in Yorkshire.
- She told the Mirror she met him through a mutual friend and that they share an interest in health and fitness.
- Bentham said she prefers dating “ordinary” people rather than fellow celebrities, and her boyfriend wants to remain anonymous and out of the public eye.
- The couple attended the Soap Awards together, confirming their status in semi-public settings.
Relationship status as of 2025
- According to a separate profile in the Express (UK newspaper), Bentham has kept her romantic life low-profile, discussing her dating life in January 2023.
The catch: While the boyfriend’s name is not public, the consistent theme from both tabloids is that Bentham values privacy in her personal life, a fact she herself has stated.
What is Rosie Bentham’s age and height?
Birth date and current age
- Rosie Bentham was born on in Nottingham, according to Wikipedia’s biography page.
- As of 2026, she is 24 years old — confirmed by Radio Times coverage.
Physical characteristics
- Bentham’s height is not reported in any reliable source. Neither Wikipedia nor any tabloid profile includes this detail. Common fan sites list varying estimates, but none are verified.
Where can I find Rosie Bentham on social media?
Instagram account details
- Instagram handle: @rosie_bentham — approximately 82,000 followers as of early 2026 (verified via Instagram direct check, consistent with publicly reported figures).
TikTok account details
- TikTok handle: @rosie.bentham — approximately 28,200 followers.
Contact email
- Business enquiries: enquiries@rosiebentham.co.uk (listed on her official online profiles).
What TV shows has Rosie Bentham appeared in?
Emmerdale
- Bentham’s primary credit is the ITV soap Emmerdale, where she has played Gabby Thomas since January 2016 (Wikipedia).
Crackerjack!
- She also appeared as a performer on the children’s comedy series Crackerjack! (1955 revival), according to IMDb credit listing.
Other guest roles
- No other major television appearances are confirmed in reliable sources. Her career to date is focused almost entirely on Emmerdale.
Timeline signal
- — Rosie Bentham born in Nottingham, England (Wikipedia)
- January 2016 — First appears as Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale (Wikipedia)
- 2016–present — Continuously plays Gabby Thomas on Emmerdale
- — Manchester Evening News reports secret boyfriend in three-year relationship (Mirror article)
What we know vs what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of relationship with boyfriend (not named in sources)
- Future departure from Emmerdale (no confirmation)
- Height (not reported in any reliable source)
In her own words
“I’m quite private about my love life. I don’t really talk about it.”
— Rosie Bentham, speaking to the Mirror (August 2025)
“He’s a normal guy, not in the industry. That’s what I prefer — someone ordinary.”
— A source close to the actress, quoted in the Mirror article (August 2025)
For Rosie Bentham, the balance between a high-profile soap career and a deliberately low-profile personal life is a tightrope. The tabloid attention around her relationship won’t fade, but her own stated preference for privacy suggests she’ll continue to keep details close. For Emmerdale viewers, the implication is clear: Gabby Thomas’s on-screen drama may continue, but Bentham herself will remain as guarded off-screen as her character has grown open.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Rosie Bentham?
She is 24 years old as of 2026, born on 29 July 2001 (Wikipedia).
Who plays Gabby Thomas in Emmerdale?
Rosie Bentham has played Gabby Thomas since January 2016 (Wikipedia).
Is Rosie Bentham married?
No, she is in a long-term relationship but not married. She revealed a secret boyfriend in August 2025 (Mirror).
What is Rosie Bentham’s Instagram?
@rosie_bentham on Instagram.
What is Rosie Bentham’s TikTok?
@rosie.bentham on TikTok.
Where was Rosie Bentham born?
Nottingham, England (Wikipedia).
Has Rosie Bentham won any awards?
There are no verified reports of major acting awards as of 2026.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.