Gemma Atkinson

Gemma Louise Atkinson is a British actress, radio presenter, and fitness personality who gained national prominence through her roles in popular television series, including Hollyoaks, Casualty, and Emmerdale. Over a multi-decade career in the public eye, she has transitioned into a prominent radio host and wellness author, building a substantial presence across digital media as an advocate for accessible fitness, animal welfare, and healthy living.

About

Born on November 16, 1984, in Bury, Greater Manchester, England, Atkinson attended Castlebrook High School before entering the entertainment industry. She began her public career as a teenager, rapidly becoming one of the United Kingdom's most recognizable television faces. Over time, she built a reputation for her dedication to physical conditioning, publishing fitness books, launching activewear lines, and sharing practical exercise guidance with a wide national audience.

Career

Atkinson achieved her initial breakthrough portraying Lisa Hunter on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2005, a role she reprised in several television spin-offs such as Hollyoaks: In the City and in a guest return in 2022. She later joined the medical drama Casualty as paramedic Tamzin Bayle and starred as Carly Hope on ITV's Emmerdale from 2015 to 2017. Beyond scripted drama, Atkinson competed in reality formats including I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and reached the finals of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Outside television, she established a major presence on radio, serving as a long-running co-host on the Drive Time show across the Hits Radio Network.

Fitness & Lifestyle

In addition to broadcasting and acting, Atkinson has established herself as a fitness authority and published author. She released health and workout guides focusing on postpartum wellness, strength training, and everyday nutrition. Her online platform emphasizes realistic fitness routines and healthy habits. She also serves as the President of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, actively raising funds and promoting animal welfare initiatives across the United Kingdom.

Personal Life

Atkinson is based in Greater Manchester with her partner, professional dancer Gorka Márquez, whom she met during her tenure on Strictly Come Dancing. The couple became engaged in 2021 and have two children together, a daughter named Mia and a son named Thiago. Their family life and career balancing act were documented in the reality television series Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens.