Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson shared a rare photo of her with her mum and stepdad Peter on her Instagram.
The actress and her family had been spending time away in Portugal and Gemma revealed it made her realise she needs to “make the most of life”.
Gemma, who played Carly Hope in the ITV soap, also spoke about losing her dad at 17.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWCRYlvgdvf/?taken-by=glouiseatkinson&hl=en
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Alongside the sweet photo the soap star wrote: “Waking up today feeling extremely grateful for the week I just had in Portugal. I took my mum and her husband Peter.
“They have been together since I was 10 yet our last holiday abroad together was when I was 18 (obv after then I was too cool for holidays with them and it was all booze cruises & Magaluf 🙈).
“For us to all switch off and just be together was amazing.
“My dad passed away when I was 17 so this week alone with my mum & peter was a reminder for me to stay present & make the most of life and remember what’s really important as you never know what’s around the corner.”
One fan commented on the photo: “Strong lovely lady like your mum! ❤️.”
“Sorry to hear about your dad, didn’t know. Hope your mum had a wicked time. ❤,” another added.
A third said: “Lovely photo. ❤️.”
The 32-year-old lost her dad 15 years ago after he suffered a heart attack.
Gemma previously told OK! magazine: “He was only 52 – he didn’t smoke or drink, he ate well and he died of a heart attack.
“I don’t think you should fret about the little stuff but that experience definitely made me appreciate life more.”
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Meanwhile Gemma left Emmerdale earlier this year and is now looking at a major career change.
The super-fit actress has revealed she would love to be a cage fighter.
The star practises Thai boxing three times a week and is now keen to move into Mixed Martial Arts and UFC championship contests.
Speaking to The Sun she said: “To master one martial art, in my opinion, is very difficult.
“Someone who can do floor work and grappling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well as regular boxing and wrestling, just all in one, for an MMA fight, I think that’s fantastic.
“I started with kickboxing and when you see UFC on TV and you see these guys doing amazing stuff, you realise ‘Oh my gosh, there’s actually so much more I can learn’.”
She went on to say: “I don’t fight, obviously, because of my work. I don’t think ITV would allow it, being all bruised up.
“But I think more women should do it.
“The thing I admire about men and women that train is that it’s not just a sport but a lot of hard sports.
“It’s great to be able to defend yourself, feel good and not be scared… get on with it.”