An Emmerdale star won a prize at Crufts 2026 a year after 'disappearing' from the ITV soap. 

Actress Gabrielle Dowling, 18, who has played Cathy Hope in the show 2007, but went on a temporary break last year, shared her huge success with her 6,982 followers on Instagram. 

Gabrielle posted a sweet snap of her pooch lying next to a rosette that she won at this year's annual event. 

Emmerdale star wins prize at Crufts a year after 'disappearing' from soap - sharing pic of adorable pooch with rosette

Her pup Fizz placed second in the ABC Agility in the Young Kennel Club competition.

She captioned the post: 'She's the best girlie 2nd in the ABC.' 

It's not the first time that the soap star has attended Crufts with her four-legged friend.

Sharing some adorable pictures of Fizz, Gabrielle said on Instagram last year: 'CRUFTS 2025. 

'What an experience!

'Both mine and fizz’s first time on the green carpet didn’t disappoint!

'Fizz tried her best and I couldn’t have asked for much more. She really is the best, most honest dog. Thursday was the jumping cup, she gave me a nice clear and placed 7th.

'Sunday was the pairs agility with Liliana and fire, unfortunately fizz got eliminated on the last jump after a very lovely run, but lil made up for it in a super quick clear and we ended up 5th ( we had the quickest time though!)

'Bring on next year!' 

Gabrielle has played Cathy on the ITV show over the past 19 years.

She's taken on a number of storylines, including April Windor's bullying and her premenstrual dysphoric disorder diagnosis. 

But in March 2025, it was revealed she was going on a 'temporary' break' from the soap. 

A source 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.'  

Gabrielle took on the role of Viv (Deena Payne) and Bob Hope's (Tony Audenshaw) daughter Cathy from Ella Whitehouse Downes in 2007. 

Her real-life brother Sebastian plays her on-screen twin Heath. 

The siblings became a part of the Emmerdale family just four weeks after they were welcomed into the world. 

But Sebastian left the show in 2025 after his character Heath's death.