June 26th 2023.
Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten became emotional after she ran into an old friend while on holiday in Majorca. The 39-year-old former Yorkshire Dales resident explained that Joyce, her childhood hero, had cared for her when she was diagnosed with anorexia at 11 years old.
Gemma posted images of herself with Joyce on Instagram, and captioned the upload with: “I turn around & approach the lady who softly spoke my name. Me – Me Gemma? Lady – I knew it was you! *gently* You don’t remember me do you? I looked closer, as she took off her sunglasses & I knew, but I felt in shock.”
The star went on to explain the emotions she felt when she realized who it was. “With that I felt incapable of drawing breath. Then I found myself holding her tight & quietly sobbing into her chest. Just like I had 28yrs ago. Joyce looked after me when she was a carer at the unit I was admitted to with #anorexia at 11yrs old & given 24hrs to live. A place that many who were meant to be helping me, treated me like I was nothing. Treated in a barbaric way, doing more harm then good [sic]."
Gemma added that Joyce's kindness had been instrumental in her survival and thanked her in the post, saying: "I tell the story of Joyce whose kindness I believe kept me alive [sic]."
The actress rose to fame for her parts in the ITV soap world, playing the role of Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale and Isla Haywood in Coronation Street. She has since been using her platform to spread awareness about eating disorders.
This story of Gemma's chance reunion with her childhood hero is a testament to the power of kindness and its lasting effects.
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