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Actress Gemma Oaten reveals she’s eyeing a return to the cast of Holby City

Come on BBC, make it happen!

Actress Gemma Oaten has revealed she’s eyeing a return to the cast of Holby City.

Gemma has played recurring character Sydney Somers in the show a handful of times since 2017.

And the former Emmerdale star has exclusively told Entertainment Daily that she’d love to return to the BBC medical drama.

gemma oaten on the red carpet
Gemma Oaten would love to return to the cast of Holby City (Credit: Splash News)

What did Gemma Oaten say about a return to Holby City?

Asked if she’s like to return to a role in a soap, Gemma revealed: “Yes, I loved it.

“A lot of people look down their nose at soaps but it’s one of the hardest jobs technically and craftwise.

“The actors on those programmes are absolutely amazing and I would absolutely go back to another soap in a heartbeat. I’d love that. I just love performing.”

Read more: Gemma Oaten slams Boris Johnson for failing to recognise obesity as an eating disorder

Asked which soap she’d like to join, following the death of Emmerdale character Rachel Breckle, Gemma ruled out Hollyoaks.

“I don’t think I’m a Hollyoaks kind of gal,” she joked, “although it might be quite nice to join as a glamorous character.

I’d love to return to my role in Holby City. You never know, there might be something there for the future.

“I’d love to return to my role in Holby City. I think Sydney was a character that many people really liked and took to and she’s not gone yet.

“You never know, there might be something there for the future.”

Read more: Gemma Oaten throws her support behind Nikki Grahame as she enters private facility

Gemma also revealed that she wouldn’t rule out an Albert Square role.

“EastEnders would be great because I think they need a northerner and also I live in London so that would be perfect selfishly.

“But equally Corrie, they’re a great team and it’s up north and it’s where my roots are and I know a lot of the directors there as they worked on Emmerdale with me.”

She added: “I couldn’t pick one, especially in this day and age where actors are scrambling over what’s coming up next.”

gemma oaten in Holby city
Gemma would love to reprise the role of Sydney Somers (Credit: BBC)

So what is coming up next for Gemma?

Does she have any acting work lined up?

“No, not at all being totally honest. I’ve no idea what’s round the corner,” she said.

“There’s talk of doing more TV shows around mental health and eating disorders and that would be amazing and I’m doing more public speaking. But I honestly don’t know,” she said.

For now, Gemma is being kept busy with her eating disorder charity SEED, after battling eating disorders herself for 13 years.

gemma oaten press shot
Despite Loose Women describing her as a ‘former actress’, Gemma said she still wants to act (Credit: Nicky Johnston)

‘I still want to act’

However, contrary to how she was introduced on Loose Women recently, Gemma is keen to set the record straight that she hasn’t given up acting.

“I’d just like to get back out there again,” she said.

“On Loose Women they introduced me as a former actress and I was like: ‘No, I still want to do stuff!’

“There’s no reason why I can’t. I love my role as manager at SEED – I feel like we’re saving lives and making a difference, but there’s no reason why I can’t do this as well as acting.

“It’s not like I’ve swapped one for another. But I’ve become more involved with SEED during lockdown.”

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For more on Gemma’s work with SEED or to donate, visit the website here. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, visit the website or call the advice line on 01482 718130.

Head to our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and tell us if you’d like to see Gemma rejoin the cast of Holby City.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor