Gemma Atkinson

Biography

Gemma Louise Atkinson (born 16 November 1984) is an English actress, radio presenter, and glamour model, best known for her portrayal of Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks (2001–05, 2022) and in three spin-off series, Hollyoaks: After Hours (2004), Hollyoaks: Let Loose (2005) and Hollyoaks: In the City (2006), Tamzin Bayle in Casualty (2011–12, 2014) and Carly Hope in Emmerdale (2015–17). She currently presents the drive time slot across the Hits Radio Network.

== Early life and education == Atkinson was born in Bury, Greater Manchester. Her father David was Scottish and from Dumfries. She took her GCSEs at Castlebrook High School, Bury.

== Career ==

=== Acting ===

==== Television ==== Atkinson rose to fame playing Lisa Hunter in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Atkinson and Marcus Patric (who played the character Ben Davies) subsequently appeared in a spin-off series called Hollyoaks: Let Loose for E4, in which their characters started a new life together in Chester. This was followed by Hollyoaks: In the City, also screened on E4. Other television roles included appearing as herself in the pilot for Plus One, part of the pilot series Comedy Showcase in October 2009. In 2009, she appeared as Ria Crossley, the girlfriend of a drug dealer in The Bill. Atkinson also appeared in the British independent film Boogie Woogie, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2009. In May 2011, Atkinson began filming for her part in the BBC medical drama Casualty. She played the part of Tamzin, a paramedic; appearing onscreen from 13 August 2011, but had confirmed via Twitter that she would only appear for ten weeks (10 episodes). She left the show on 1 October 2011, after her sixth appearance but later returned to the show as Tamzin for the last time in 2014. In 2015, Atkinson began playing the role of Carly Hope in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Then in November 2021, it was announced that Atkinson will reprise her role as Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks. She has also hosted The Toddler Club on CBeebies.

==== Film ==== Atkinson played the role of Hannah in the 2011 romantic comedy film How to Stop Being a Loser. The film also starred Richard E. Grant, Jill Halfpenny and Pamela Anderson. In 2013, she starred in a remake of Night of the Living Dead, released in 3D. Also in 2013, she appeared in Devil's Pass. Atkinson played the role of Rhea Wagner in the 2016 Bollywood film Fever.

==== Stage ==== Atkinson appeared in Peter Pan at the Manchester Opera House in December 2008. She took the title role alongside John Thomson who played Captain Hook. Atkinson appeared in the West End production of Tim Firth's Calendar Girls at the Noël Coward Theatre, from 28 July to 17 October 2009 where she played the character of Elaine. Atkinson also went on tour with Calendar Girls, she played Celia aka Miss September in the production. The January to April 2010 tour of Calendar Girls also starred Lynda Bellingham, Judith Barker, Debbie Chazen, Letitia Dean and Jan Harvey. Atkinson played the lead female role, Belinda in Neil LaBute's play This Is How It Goes at the King's Head Theatre in Islington, London from 7 September to 3 October 2010.

=== Reality television ===