Actress Rachael Gill-Davis talks to us about the plot as Gail from Emmerdale gets ready to give her biological son Oscar a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Recently, the shocking information that Gail Loman (Rachael Gill-Davis) and Ryan Stocks (James Moore) previously had a child together and gave up for adoption when they were in their late teens hit viewers.
Gail was taken aback when she got a call from Sophie (Martha Cope), an adoptive mother who had located her through social media in the hopes that she might be able to assist with her now 13-year-old son Oscar (Harley Hamilton).
Oscar needs a bone marrow transplant because he has a rare form of aplastic anemia. Sophie was devastated to learn that she was not a match and hoped that Gail or Ryan would agree to take the test.
Gail initially kept the information from Ryan and Sophie, as well as hiding the fact that she was still in touch with him, but she eventually opened up to her shocked boyfriend.
Gail agreed to meet with Oscar, but Ryan wasn’t ready and found the news difficult to handle. He later acknowledged that he worried about what Oscar would think of him because of his own disability and whether it would make him feel even worse about his biological father.
Both Gail and Ryan agreed to take the test, and the news that Ryan isn’t a match the following week breaks Ryan’s heart. He confides in Marlon (Mark Charnock) his disappointment, but is relieved when Gail rushes in to say that, despite all the odds, she and Oscar get along.
The following day, Ryan and Gail visit Oscar in the hospital; Ryan is still apprehensive about meeting his son for the first time. Gail and Oscar reconnect, but Ryan stays quiet because he feels like the outsider.
However, when the topic of conversation shifts to music, the ice is broken, and Ryan is relieved to have discovered a point of connection. As she observes the bond forming between Oscar and his biological parents, Sophie is not as enthused.
Back at The Woolpack, Marlon warns Gail that she should exercise caution around Sophie because the situation might become very tense.
The following day, Ryan stands by Gail as she is wheeled into surgery, hoping for a positive outcome so they can continue to be involved in Oscar’s life.
Rachael Gill-Davis spoke to EverySoap and other media about the storyline, during a recent press event at Emmerdale’s Leeds studios…
How does Gail feel about Oscar coming back into her life?
Though Gail occasionally seems to recoil back, I believe she is entirely made up. She claims to have been a clueless, potless space cadet with a toxic mother who was constantly on her case in one of the most recent episodes. Therefore, I don’t think she felt backed up at the time. However, I believe that is always what drives her forward. She yearns for the family she hasn’t experienced. I therefore believe she is entirely made up. But there is also the complicated nature of giving him up, and there is probably some guilt involved.
What is the current state of her relationship with Ryan?
They don’t seem to argue very often, in my opinion. They did, of course, go through that four-year silence during which she left him for a man named Spud. But as I’ve already stated, I believe she is constantly driven by the desire to have that family, and she will stop at nothing to help them both get back on track. Although I am aware that many people initially didn’t trust her, I think she has a good heart. And as a result, it didn’t take her long to confide in Marlon. She loves Ryan, so I know her heart is in the right place.Since I’ve been a fan of Emmerdale for about 20 years, I believe Ryan’s character to be quite compelling overall. He has a strong personality and stands up for Gail, who is likely more ditzy than most and wears her heart on her sleeve.
When Gail first made her return, what did you think of all the rumors and fan theories?
I really liked it as Rachael! I suppose it was because I had knowledge that they did not. Every time, it’s enjoyable to watch and ponder “What gave them that idea in the script?” or “What decision did I make at that point to give the impression that things might be going in a different direction?” She disappeared for four years, so it was really interesting to me to see the various points of view. Nobody initially believes a character, especially not in a soap opera. Everyone yelled, “Sack her” and “Get the pitchforks out,” as Marlon tried to get rid of her, and I thought, “Oh no! She’s gorgeous!
How does Ryan feel when he discovers he isn’t a match, and is Gail’s decision to have the surgery simple?
He’s obviously devastated that he’s not a match, in my opinion, because he feels like he also let Oscar down in another way. It’s the first time Gail has had the opportunity to take care of her son. Since she hasn’t done anything for 13 years, there is a great deal of guilt. Since this is the first time she has the ability to act, I don’t believe she hesitates. She is obviously thrilled to be a match because it happens so infrequently. Really, it’s against all odds!
Although she is pleased to be able to assist Oscar, she must also be worried about him.
Yes, most certainly. I can’t even begin to imagine the shock you would feel if you welcomed a child into your life, hoping that he would be content for the next 13 years, only to learn that he has a serious illness. You just have to hope that it will. She’s terrified that she might lose him again completely.
Is she afraid of having the procedure done on herself, or is she adamant about doing it for Oscar’s benefit?
There may be a little bit of fear, but I believe that helping her son comes first. That is what drives her. It doesn’t seem to be at the top of her mind.
Does she intend to pursue a relationship with Oscar in the future?
She seems to want a relationship, in my opinion. She has improved and, based on what I’ve seen in the scripts, I believe she has stability for the first time in her life.
Will this cause tension in the relationship with Oscar’s adoptive mother Sophie?
In my opinion. The fact that you can see both sides makes the way they wrote it so fantastic. Even though Sophie is a fairly strong character, she still fears losing custody of her son when these two young, (sort of) trendy parents re-enter his life.
Were you surprised to receive the call back given that Gail last appeared on the show in 2009 for one episode, four years ago?
Completely! In a way, I had already put it to rest. Oh my days, this is amazing, I thought when I received a text message on my break from another job asking to meet up.
Was there anyone in particular you were looking forward to working with when you returned as a fan of the show?
I clearly recall how excited I was to be working with Marlon and Charity simultaneously. I mean, all of them! I’ve kind of achieved my goal of having a Dingle baby, which was on my bucket list. Since Chris Tate and the whole poisoning/framing Charity thing, I’ve been watching it.
And to enter The Woolpack right away…
In some ways, it seems like I can’t get away from hospitality. However, working for The Woolpack is amazing. Oh my days I’m actually working at The Woolpack, it’s just like when you’ve seen it on television as well.
Did you know from the beginning that Gail and Ryan had a secret child?
Yes, I believe it was during our first encounter that I learned she had given birth, and the plot didn’t really begin until later. I was obviously very excited for it, so it was difficult to keep it a secret.
How has the experience been like working with Oscar’s actor, Harley Hamilton?
He is truly brilliant, and what bravery at the age of 13! I certainly could not have done it! He came on and was just so professional on the first day of filming; he’s really great!
Do you have any additional wishes for Gail moving forward, besides the baby you mentioned being on your list for the Dingles?
a ton of Dingle infants! No, I believe it would be interesting to learn more about her background, especially in light of the mention of her toxic mother. Since we are all products of our environments, I feel like everything with her is superficial. She is probably not who she appears to be on the outside.
- Georgie Parker, star of Home and Away, confirms her soap opera future.
- Tragedy Strikes in EastEnders’s 40th: Devastating Explosion Rocks the Queen Vic
- Home and Away fans left shocked after discovering star’s past acting role
- Home and Away to bring in two new characters in mystery story
- Home and Away UK Spoilers – What’s happening in Summer Bay in 2025?
