Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson has finally confessed the real reason she quit the soap after only two years.
The actress, who played the Emmerdale’s Carly Hope from 2015 – 2017, admitted that she had such a demanding schedule while juggling filming for Emmerdale with her radio show for Key 103 that something had to give.
Gemma told the Sunday Post this weekend: “I was doing my Key 103 radio show and Emmerdale together for six months and I just took on too much.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals have begun!
“Leaving Emmerdale was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I just couldn’t keep doing the two jobs and the radio show was closer to home and gave me more freedom to do other stuff.
“I was getting up at 4am, wasn’t getting home until 8.30pm and then I had to learn my lines. I had no social life at all and it was my mum who told me that I was getting so grumpy I had to leave one of the jobs.”
But when it comes to an Emmerdale return, it’s definitely not something Gemma has ruled out completely…
“I’m very grateful that the door has been left open, so hopefully at some point I will return.”
Phew. So perhaps there’s hope for Marlon and Carly after all!
Gemma also revealed that doing Strictly Come Dancing last year was one of the best decisions she ever made: “It changed my life and opened up a lot of doors.
Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook
“It’s something to prove yourself, that you can learn a dance routine in four days, go and preform it in front of 15 million people and get judged by four strangers. Never in a million years did I think I’d be able to do that.”
Gemma also found love with professional dancer Gorka Marquez while appearing on Strictly, thrilling fans who were left guessing if they were a couple for months… “Gorka’s very funny but he’s an old-school gentleman, which I love. He’s very caring.”
Gemma has put acting to one side for now as she concentrates on radio presenting. She’s also working on a new book The Ultimate Body Plan which is due out in December.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
Would you like to see Gemma return to Emmerdale? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!