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Emmerdale SPOILER: Laurel STUNNED by Gabby’s behaviour

As Ashley's condition gets worse, it begins to take its toll on the whole family

Emmerdale’s Gabby Thomas is heading for trouble as she struggles to deal with her dad Ashley’s dementia.

It’s been a difficult time for the teenager, as she’s had to watch as Ashley was moved into a residential care home and her stepmum Laurel was left devastated.

And it looks like trying to cope with the heartbreak could be about to bring out Gabby’s rebellious side and turn her into a bit of a wild child.

Not only have the family had to deal with the former vicar no longer recognising them but now Laurel must break the news to Gabby and son Arthur that Ashley has struck up a close bond with one of his fellow residents, Maggie.

On a visit to the home they discover that not only does Ashley now prefer to spend time with Maggie, but he is also not eating properly and is hiding food in his pockets.

Read more: Why is Emmerdale’s Ashley hiding his food?

While Laurel desperately tries to accept and deal with the difficult situation, Gabby clearly isn’t coping with things.

Normally well-behaved, she starts to act out of character – playing truant from school with her friend Liv and spending the day drinking with their schoolmates Jamie and Josh.

And it looks like she’s going to take her new rebellious behaviour even further when, during an illicit afternoon of bunking off and passionate snogging, she and Josh head upstairs to Ashley and Laurel’s bedroom…

Laurel arrives home unexpectedly, but what will she find?

Will Gabby stop herself before things go too far? Or might the pair get caught in the act?

It’s not long before Laurel decides she needs to get the kids away from all this.

Read more: The end of Robron as Robert CHEATS?

Planning a family holiday, she ropes in Jimmy King and Bob Hope to keep an eye on Ashley.

But will a break be enough to fix the family?

One thing’s for sure, there will be more tears before this powerful storyline plays out – and actor John Middleton leaves the soap after more than 20 years.

At a recent press conference, Emmerdale executive producer Iain MacLeod discussed Ashley’s exit.

“I’ve just signed off on the final version on the episode in which he dies and it is unbelievably beautiful,” he said.

“It’s oddly joyous – it’s a celebration of the character. We didn’t want to do a story where he just absconded from the care home and was discovered dead from hypothermia or something, it would be too bleak.

“In a story that is already desperately sad, what we wanted to do was make this the best possible death so that coming out of the other side of it, his family members think ‘well none of us wanted him to go so soon’ but knowing that he had to go, these were the best circumstances.”