Former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson reveals return to acting

Former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson has revealed her return to acting.

Gemma, who is engaged to Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez, rose to fame as Lisa Hunter on Hollyoaks, before moving on to Casualty as Tamzin Bayle and Carly Hope in Emmerdale.

Now, the star has revealed her return to acting after quitting Emmerdale – and speaking to a fan (via The Sun), the actress revealed that the project isn't another soap, due to needing to fit around her children.

"I wouldn't be able to commit to soaps long term again even though I loved it at the time."

gemma atkinson wearing her hair up in a ponytail and a red suit

Mike Marsland//Getty Images

"It changes day to day so with children it's difficult," she said.

"Especially with Gorks being away from August. I need to work around them ideally, which [I can do] with my radio show that I also love, I can [say] any dramas or films though, with a start and end date, filming wise, I'd absolutely do."

She then went on to reveal that her next project is already lined up – and it's a world away from Emmerdale.

"I'm shooting a British movie in March actually, which is exciting!" She didn't, however, reveal any more details.

BBC

The former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant has two children with fiancé Gorka, whom she started a relationship with after competing on Strictly's 15th season in 2017.

They welcomed a baby boy in July 2023, following a baby girl in 2019.

Speaking recently about marriage plans, Gemma said: "He'd go to a registry office tomorrow and do it, he just says that, 'I would love the fact that we've all got the same name. It's a family unit', whereas I see the fact that we've had two babies is more of a commitment than just me having his name on the end of it.

"I always say to him, 'If you want I can put the name on the end of it anyway, no one needs to know it's not a real marriage.' He's like, 'No, I want to do it!'"