Gabby Sharpe
Encyclopedia
Gabriella "Gabby" Sharpe is a fictional character
from the British Channel 4
soap opera
Hollyoaks
, played by Phina Oruche
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 June 2010.
reported that former Footballers' Wives
actress Phina Oruche
would join Hollyoaks as the mother of the soap's new four-member mixed race family as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation. Of the casting, a Hollyoaks source stated: "Paul [Marquess
] [series producer] has a clear ambition for Hollyoaks - to make it as it's ever been. He really rated Phina during her time on Footballers' Wives, so knew she was right for the job of heading up the new clan." The family were given the name of Sharpe, who would arrive "in dramatic circumstances". In April 2010, Oruche's character was revealed to be Gabby Sharpe, the wife of Phil Sharpe (Andonis Anthony) and the mother of fifteen-year-old Taylor (Shaun Blackstock) and twelve-year-old Amber
(Lydia Lloyd-Henry). Of the castings, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess
stated: "We can't wait for this huge new boost of energy exploding on screen. These exciting new characters join our fantastic core cast. Together they will ensure that 2010 will be a year to remember on Hollyoaks." Oruche was the first major signing of Marquess.
in Footballers Wives. She added: [...] "She's not lairy like Liberty, falling down stairs or falling out of cabs. She's the opposite. She's quiet but there's a few surprises in store. I'm a mum now and you never know what you'll do to protect your children or where your strength will come from until you test it. She's a ma!"
Channel 4 publicity describe Gabby as "strong yet nurturing" and make note of her ability to be "extremely tolerant", unless pushed to her breaking point. Channel Five
's soap opera reporting website Holy Soap
described her as being a gentle mum-of-two who is ready to make some big changes in her life."
(Nick Pickard
) decides to visit Wales to find a new house for his family, and meets Gabby for the first time. Gabby walks away from Tony and is knocked over by a passing car and falls unconscious. She goes to hospital and wakes up with Tony by her side. Gabby asks Tony to make sure her children are safe as her husband is away on business in Dubai. Gabby's children Amber
and Taylor visit her and she asks Tony to look after them. Gabby confesses that she was leaving her husband as she was knocked over, and she was taking the children with her. Tony confronts Gabby and tells her she is wrong to run away from her husband, however she tells him that he does not know anything about her life. Gabby and Tony make up after he grows closer to her children. She plans to start a new life with Tony, but husband Phil arrives from his business trip. Gabby and Tony then walk away from each others lives.
Gabby is not seen again until August 2010, when she and Phil go for a meal at il Gnosh restaurant. Gabby and Tony are delighted to see each other. Gabby argues with Phil as he continues to be abrupt with Tony. Gabby becomes upset as Phil gets angry and smashes a glass, causing him to walk out. Tony comforts Gabby and she explains she is unhappy. Gabby visits Tony again and Theresa McQueen
(Jorgie Porter
) takes her phone before she leaves. Gabby is shocked when she finds Tony at her home and he returns her phone. Gabby tells him she is going to leave Phil and asks Tony to help her. Gabby packs her suitcase and gathers Amber and Taylor's things. She prepares to leave as Phil arrives. Gabby opens the door and Phil sees the suitcases. Tony hides outside in the garden. Gabby tells Phil she is going on holiday and asks him to leave but he refuses. Phil becomes angry and grabs her, making Tony run into the house. Gabby moves away from Phil as Tony pushes him off her. Amber and Taylor arrive home and Gabby runs towards them and tells them their leaving. Gabby, Amber and Taylor leave the house with Tony. She arrives at Tony's flat and he tells her she can stay as long as she needs.
Gabby is shocked when Theresa tells her that Amber and Taylor have their suitcases with them. Gabby finds them at Relish with Phil. She tells Phil that he is not taking Amber and Taylor but he ignores her. Gabby threatens Phil and tells him she will reveal what has happened between them. Phil then leaves alone. Gabby trys to reason with Amber but she ignores her. Gabby meets Cindy Hutchinson (Stephanie Waring
) at Cincerity boutique and they become friends. She goes to the charity fashion show and sees Cindy. Gabby invites Cindy to Tony's flat not realising she is Tony's wife. Tony arrives and Gabby asks him if he knows Cindy. Gabby is shocked when Cindy tells her that she is Tony's wife.
Gabby admits her feelings for Tony to Taylor, and he tells her to talk to Tony. Gabby tells Tony who also admits his feelings and they kiss. Amber sees them and tells Phil who punches Tony. Gabby tells him that they are not having an affair and threatens to tell Amber their secret. Later, Gabby buys Cincerity with Heidi Costello
(Kim Tiddy
). Gabby also becomes a school governor at Hollyoaks High School. Gabby brings Phil to Tony's for the night after picking him up from the police station for drink driving, leaving Tony unhappy. The next day, Taylor tells Gabby that Phil has another wife and two children, leaving her shocked. Phil visits Gabby and asks her to give their marriage a second chance, and Gabby tells him she knows about his other family. Gabby then tells Phil that she loves Tony, to the dismay of Amber.
Gabby grounds Amber for her behaviour and asks Amy Barnes
(Ashley Slanina-Davies
) to babysit. Gabby and Tony go to Heidi and Carl Costello
's (Paul Opacic
) reopening of The Dog in the Pond
public house. They go home and see a fire in Il Gnosh and the upstairs flat. Gabby frantically screams for Amber who escapes onto the rooftop, however she slips but Tony rescues her. She later speaks to Frankie Osborne
(Helen Pearson
), who tells her that Amber stole a pregnancy test from Drive 'n' Buy shop. Gabby confronts Amber who tells her that the pregnancy test was for her and that she is pregnant. When Gabby goes to Taylor's football match, she meets Helen (Emma Vaudrey) and Arlo Davenport (Travis Yates
) who are Phil's other family. They go for lunch and she discovers that Helen began a relationship with Phil first, but they did not marry. Gabby, Amber, Taylor and Tony move in with the O'Connor family following the fire. Amber agrees to let Diane O'Connor
(Alexandra Fletcher
) raise her baby after it is born. When Diane discovers that her stepson Finn
(Connor Wilkinson) is the baby's father, she tells Gabby she cannot raise Amber's baby, leaving her angry. Gabby leaves Chester with Amber and Taylor to live at her father's house.
describe Gabby's most memorable moment as being: "She arrived on the soap with a bang when she got hit by a car."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the British Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, played by Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche is a British actress, radio presenter and former model best known for her performances as Liberty Baker in ITV's Footballers' Wives, for which she won a Screen Nations Award for Favourite TV Star....
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 June 2010.
Character creation and casting
On 29 March 2010, media entertainment website Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
reported that former Footballers' Wives
Footballers' Wives
Footballers' Wives is a British television drama surrounding the fictional Premier League Association football club Earls Park F.C., its players, and their wives. It was broadcast on the ITV network from 8 January 2002 to 14 April 2006...
actress Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche is a British actress, radio presenter and former model best known for her performances as Liberty Baker in ITV's Footballers' Wives, for which she won a Screen Nations Award for Favourite TV Star....
would join Hollyoaks as the mother of the soap's new four-member mixed race family as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation. Of the casting, a Hollyoaks source stated: "Paul [Marquess
Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess is a Northern Irish-born British television producer.-Television career:His credits include Brookside, The Bill and Family Affairs. He also originated the idea for the series Footballers' Wives...
] [series producer] has a clear ambition for Hollyoaks - to make it as it's ever been. He really rated Phina during her time on Footballers' Wives, so knew she was right for the job of heading up the new clan." The family were given the name of Sharpe, who would arrive "in dramatic circumstances". In April 2010, Oruche's character was revealed to be Gabby Sharpe, the wife of Phil Sharpe (Andonis Anthony) and the mother of fifteen-year-old Taylor (Shaun Blackstock) and twelve-year-old Amber
Amber Sharpe
Amber Sharpe is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lydia Lloyd-Henry. The character was introduced as a member of the new Sharpe family, as part of series producer Paul Marquess' rejuvenation of the serial in 2010. She made her first on-screen...
(Lydia Lloyd-Henry). Of the castings, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess is a Northern Irish-born British television producer.-Television career:His credits include Brookside, The Bill and Family Affairs. He also originated the idea for the series Footballers' Wives...
stated: "We can't wait for this huge new boost of energy exploding on screen. These exciting new characters join our fantastic core cast. Together they will ensure that 2010 will be a year to remember on Hollyoaks." Oruche was the first major signing of Marquess.
Characterisation
Speaking to Digital Spy of her character, Oruche stated, "She wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a mum first and foremost and she's got her identity from being a mum. [...] She's a quiet person. [...] She's strong and she's way classier than I'll ever be!" Gabby is also portrayed as being "quiet". In the same interview, Oruche noted the differences between Gabby and her character Liberty BakerLiberty Baker
Liberty Gidigbi is a fictional character on ITV British drama Footballers' Wives, played by English actress Phina Oruche. She is a parody of English model Naomi Campbell.-Character Description:...
in Footballers Wives. She added: [...] "She's not lairy like Liberty, falling down stairs or falling out of cabs. She's the opposite. She's quiet but there's a few surprises in store. I'm a mum now and you never know what you'll do to protect your children or where your strength will come from until you test it. She's a ma!"
Channel 4 publicity describe Gabby as "strong yet nurturing" and make note of her ability to be "extremely tolerant", unless pushed to her breaking point. Channel Five
Channel Five
Channel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
's soap opera reporting website Holy Soap
Holy Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
described her as being a gentle mum-of-two who is ready to make some big changes in her life."
Storylines
Tony HutchinsonTony Hutchinson
Anthony "Tony" Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. Tony first appeared on-screen on 23 October 1995, the first episode of the series, and is the only original character still on the show to the present day...
(Nick Pickard
Nick Pickard
Nicholas "Nick" Pickard is an English actor, best known for his role as Tony Hutchinson on soap opera Hollyoaks.He is currently the longest serving cast member and appeared in the very first episode in 1995...
) decides to visit Wales to find a new house for his family, and meets Gabby for the first time. Gabby walks away from Tony and is knocked over by a passing car and falls unconscious. She goes to hospital and wakes up with Tony by her side. Gabby asks Tony to make sure her children are safe as her husband is away on business in Dubai. Gabby's children Amber
Amber Sharpe
Amber Sharpe is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lydia Lloyd-Henry. The character was introduced as a member of the new Sharpe family, as part of series producer Paul Marquess' rejuvenation of the serial in 2010. She made her first on-screen...
and Taylor visit her and she asks Tony to look after them. Gabby confesses that she was leaving her husband as she was knocked over, and she was taking the children with her. Tony confronts Gabby and tells her she is wrong to run away from her husband, however she tells him that he does not know anything about her life. Gabby and Tony make up after he grows closer to her children. She plans to start a new life with Tony, but husband Phil arrives from his business trip. Gabby and Tony then walk away from each others lives.
Gabby is not seen again until August 2010, when she and Phil go for a meal at il Gnosh restaurant. Gabby and Tony are delighted to see each other. Gabby argues with Phil as he continues to be abrupt with Tony. Gabby becomes upset as Phil gets angry and smashes a glass, causing him to walk out. Tony comforts Gabby and she explains she is unhappy. Gabby visits Tony again and Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jorgie Porter. She made her first appearance in November 2008. The character was introduced as an extension of already established McQueen family...
(Jorgie Porter
Jorgie Porter
Jorgina Alexandra "Jorgie" Porter, is an English actress, notable for her role as Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks...
) takes her phone before she leaves. Gabby is shocked when she finds Tony at her home and he returns her phone. Gabby tells him she is going to leave Phil and asks Tony to help her. Gabby packs her suitcase and gathers Amber and Taylor's things. She prepares to leave as Phil arrives. Gabby opens the door and Phil sees the suitcases. Tony hides outside in the garden. Gabby tells Phil she is going on holiday and asks him to leave but he refuses. Phil becomes angry and grabs her, making Tony run into the house. Gabby moves away from Phil as Tony pushes him off her. Amber and Taylor arrive home and Gabby runs towards them and tells them their leaving. Gabby, Amber and Taylor leave the house with Tony. She arrives at Tony's flat and he tells her she can stay as long as she needs.
Gabby is shocked when Theresa tells her that Amber and Taylor have their suitcases with them. Gabby finds them at Relish with Phil. She tells Phil that he is not taking Amber and Taylor but he ignores her. Gabby threatens Phil and tells him she will reveal what has happened between them. Phil then leaves alone. Gabby trys to reason with Amber but she ignores her. Gabby meets Cindy Hutchinson (Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring
Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring Stephanie Waring (born 19 February 1978; Urmston, Greater Manchester, England is an English actress, best known for portraying Cindy Cunningham in the early evening soap opera Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
) at Cincerity boutique and they become friends. She goes to the charity fashion show and sees Cindy. Gabby invites Cindy to Tony's flat not realising she is Tony's wife. Tony arrives and Gabby asks him if he knows Cindy. Gabby is shocked when Cindy tells her that she is Tony's wife.
Gabby admits her feelings for Tony to Taylor, and he tells her to talk to Tony. Gabby tells Tony who also admits his feelings and they kiss. Amber sees them and tells Phil who punches Tony. Gabby tells him that they are not having an affair and threatens to tell Amber their secret. Later, Gabby buys Cincerity with Heidi Costello
Heidi Costello
Heidi Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kim Tiddy. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 2010 and made her final appearance in the series on 1 November 2011, after the character was accidentally murdered by her father, Silas...
(Kim Tiddy
Kim Tiddy
Kim Tiddy , is an English actress, is known for playing the part of PC Honey Harman, in the ITV soap opera The Bill, and Heidi Costello in the British Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
). Gabby also becomes a school governor at Hollyoaks High School. Gabby brings Phil to Tony's for the night after picking him up from the police station for drink driving, leaving Tony unhappy. The next day, Taylor tells Gabby that Phil has another wife and two children, leaving her shocked. Phil visits Gabby and asks her to give their marriage a second chance, and Gabby tells him she knows about his other family. Gabby then tells Phil that she loves Tony, to the dismay of Amber.
Gabby grounds Amber for her behaviour and asks Amy Barnes
Amy Barnes
Amy Barnes is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ashley Slanina-Davies. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 14 November 2005. Amy was created by executive producer David Hanson and Slanina-Davies was offered the role whilst looking for...
(Ashley Slanina-Davies
Ashley Slanina-Davies
Ashley Slanina-Davies is an English actress born in Standish, near Wigan, who is notable for playing the role of Amy Barnes on Channel 4's teen soap, Hollyoaks...
) to babysit. Gabby and Tony go to Heidi and Carl Costello
Carl Costello
Carl Costello, is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Paul Opacic. The character was introduced by executive producer Paul Marquess and debuted onscreen during the episode airing on 19 July 2010. He came to the village as the new owner of The Dog in the...
's (Paul Opacic
Paul Opacic
Paul Opacic is an English actor. He is currently best known for his role as Carl Costello in Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...
) reopening of The Dog in the Pond
The Dog in the Pond
The Dog in the Pond is a fictional public house in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. It has been at the centre of the show's setting since it began in 1995. The pub was burnt down in episodes airing in September 2006 during the 'Fire at The Dog', which killed five regular characters...
public house. They go home and see a fire in Il Gnosh and the upstairs flat. Gabby frantically screams for Amber who escapes onto the rooftop, however she slips but Tony rescues her. She later speaks to Frankie Osborne
Frankie Osborne
Francine "Frankie" Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Helen Pearson. She made her first on-screen appearance on 9 October 2002...
(Helen Pearson
Helen Pearson
Helen Pearson is an English television actress, currently seen as Frankie Osborne in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks....
), who tells her that Amber stole a pregnancy test from Drive 'n' Buy shop. Gabby confronts Amber who tells her that the pregnancy test was for her and that she is pregnant. When Gabby goes to Taylor's football match, she meets Helen (Emma Vaudrey) and Arlo Davenport (Travis Yates
Travis Yates
Travis Hamilton Yates is a British actor. He is best known for portraying the title role of Billy in the London production of Billy Elliot the Musical from 2005 to 2007.He was in born Manchester and lives in Middleton, Greater Manchester...
) who are Phil's other family. They go for lunch and she discovers that Helen began a relationship with Phil first, but they did not marry. Gabby, Amber, Taylor and Tony move in with the O'Connor family following the fire. Amber agrees to let Diane O'Connor
Diane O'Connor
Diane O'Connor is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alex Fletcher. In 2010, Hollyoaks series producer, Paul Marquess, embarked on the show's rejuvenation and axed a number of cast members. To compensate for the departures, the character of Diane and...
(Alexandra Fletcher
Alexandra Fletcher
Alexandra Fletcher sometimes credited as Alex Fletcher is a British actress best known for her role as Jacqui Farnham in the now defunct soap Brookside.-Career:...
) raise her baby after it is born. When Diane discovers that her stepson Finn
Finn O'Connor (Hollyoaks)
Finn O'Connor is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Connor Wilkinson. The character was introduced during a "shake-up" of the show by new series producer Paul Marquess during 2010 as a member of the O'Connor family, and has since been at the centre of...
(Connor Wilkinson) is the baby's father, she tells Gabby she cannot raise Amber's baby, leaving her angry. Gabby leaves Chester with Amber and Taylor to live at her father's house.
Reception
Holy SoapHoly Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
describe Gabby's most memorable moment as being: "She arrived on the soap with a bang when she got hit by a car."
External links
- Character profile on the E4 website
- Character profile on the Channel Five website