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Emmerdale fans open-mouthed as they realise two beloved soap stars are twins in real life

The twins have been in the ITV soap for a number of years.

EMMERDALE fans have been left open-mouthed after they realised two beloved soap stars are twins in real life.

The ITV soap has a number of real life couples working together, but some viewers didn't realise there were siblings on the show too.

Emmerdale fans have been left open-mouthed after they realised two beloved soap stars are twins in real life
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Emmerdale fans have been left open-mouthed after they realised two beloved soap stars are twins in real lifeCredit: Rex
Heath and Cathy Hope are played by real life twins Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling
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Heath and Cathy Hope are played by real life twins Sebastian and Gabrielle DowlingCredit: ITV

Sebastian Dowling was written out of the show this week after his character, Heath Hope, was killed in a car crash.

Heath's twin Cathy has been blamed for his death but she insisted to police she wasn't the one driving at the time of the accident.

Following Tuesday's emotional episode, some Emmerdale viewers were shocked to learn that the actors who play Heath and Cathy are twins in real life.

Cathy is played by Gabrielle Dowling, and viewers commented on how her real life link to Sebastian added an extra dimension to her scenes as the grief-stricken teen on the show.

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Taking to X -formerly Twitter - one wrote: "OMG anyone else totally not realised Cathy & Sebastian were actually twins in real life too?

"Even harder for Gabrielle to play in that case. Having to act like she'd just lost her Brother sadly."

Another added: "Only just found out cathy and heath are twins in real life."

A third tweeted: "Heath and Cathy have been played by real life twins Gabrielle and Sebastian Dowling since they were babies they've been in the roles together a very long time."

Last night's episode saw the twins' dad, Bob Hope, break down in tears over the devastating loss of his son.

After finally being allowed to see Heath's body at the hospital, Bob sobbed to partner Wendy: "They wouldn't even let me touch him. I was supposed to say goodbye.

"What has he done to deserve this? Why did he listen to Cathy? If he had come to me?";

A tearful Wendy begged Bob not to go down that path, and he told her: "I mean I know I've not always been the best dad, but I can't lose my son. I love him so much. What am I going to do without him?"

Bob Hope has been left distraught by the death of his teen son Heath on New Year's Day
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Bob Hope has been left distraught by the death of his teen son Heath on New Year's Day

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.

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