Gemma Atkinson 'hasn't aged' according to her fans as she went back through the archives to share some snaps from her Hollyoaks days. The actress and presenter was part of the much-loved Hunter family in the Channel 4 soap, playing the role of Lisa from 2000 until 2005.
During her five-year stint in the fictional Chester village Gemma tackled a number of high-profile storylines which included bullying and self-harm. And earlier this year, 16 years since her last appearance in Hollyoaks the 37-year-old strolled back onto screens like no time had passed.
The mum-of-one, who also appeared in ITV soap Emmerdale, filmed her scenes for her special guest appearance last year but it was only ever going to be for a one-episode stint. It saw her reunited with old school friend Zara Morgan but it wasn't quite the welcome reunion she may have hoped for.
And despite turning her back on the soap for a second time, Gemma still holds fond memories - and the pictures to prove them. Taking to Instagram, the Hits Radio host posted an old polaroid photo dated March 2003. It showed a fresh-faced Gemma alongside a few of her co-stars.
A second showed her smiling alongside Andrew McNair who played brother Dan Hunter. Dan met a sad end when his rally car malfunctioned and exploded, killing him, in 2004. It came shortly after he was released from prison after wrongly being charged for murder.
The third and final image Gemma shared showed one of her early modelling shots. She pouted for the camera while wearing a corset top with her hair styled into messy curls. "Found these amongst many more in my mums loft," Gemma penned alongside the photos shared with her millions of followers.
"Hollyoaks archives and that early 2000’s “fashion” Always fun memories with these!" she added. And fans were quick to respond with compliments for Gemma as they joined her in reminding over her early years in showbusiness
@sayfitnesspt said: "Oh wow! What amazing memories! This is when I watched it back in the day!" @heyupjude commented: "Awww "back in day" you've not changed a bit!" @sarah1984_33 wrote: "You haven’t aged." @artykes55 shared: "Absolutely brilliant I used to watch it then! You're such a beauty."
@garethplongden typed: "Blast from the past, still looking well if not better." @ruthy_b76 replied: "You haven’t aged at all, testament to your healthy lifestyle." @theballetbarrecompany added: "Loving the fashion!! Has to be said you haven't changed a bit."
Earlier this week Gemma was back in action after a horrendous time following emergency dental surgery and headed for a day modeling her latest range for the online retailer. The former soap star took to her Instagram Stories as she took them behind the scenes of her photoshoot, chatting about the items in her latest range - including matching tracksuits, a puffa jacket and classic day dresses in more autumnal colours.
But it was one detail associated with a bodysuit in the range that got her fans talking. Gemma shared how the long-sleeved, black and white striped bodysuit, which she paired with a pair of black skinny jeans, didn't have press studs on the crotch. It led to her being questioned on how it would be possible to use the bathroom if wearing the bodysuit while out.
And the mum-of-one had a very simple response and also let her millions of followers into a trick she used for her full time on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017. "Thank you for your lovely messages about my range," Gemma said to the camera as she lounged in one of her own tracksuits in her Greater Manchester home.
"Loads of questions about the striped knitted body when I said there was no press studs... Come on. You're not telling me you're too posh to do the pull aside pee. It's what I do even with press studs. As long as you've got enough give on the material, which this has, it's still hygienic, it's very quick and it's very efficient."
And it turns out it came in very handy during her time on Strictly as they were sown into their costumes. "Once you were in, you were in and I always needed a wee before a live show so I just had to go, pull to the side and wee. And it worked a treat." She then shared a picture of her on the Strictly dance floor as she performed with professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec.
She penned alongside it: "For example, here I am all elegant and pretty, but mins earlier I'd had to go do a 'pull aside pee'." And Gemma made it all the way to the final of the BBC One dance contest.
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