Who did Gemma Oaten play in Emmerdale?

25 August 2021, 08:01

Gemma Oaten starred in Emmerdale. Picture: Instagram/Alamy

Who was Gemma Oaten in Emmerdale and what happened to her character Rachel?

Gemma Oaten has been on our screens for years, starring in some of the nation’s favourite TV shows.

The 37-year-old is also a patron for eating disorder charity Seed UK, which her parents set up, after suffering from anorexia for more than a decade.

But who is Gemma Oaten and what character did she play in Emmerdale? Here’s what we know…

Gemma Oaten's character was killed off in Emmerdale in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

Who did Gemma Oaten play in Emmerdale?

Gemma Oaten played Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale between 2011 and 2015.

Rachel was the younger sister of Ali Spencer and aunt of Amelia and Sean Spencer.

She was also the mother of Archie Breckle after a one-night stand with Jai Sharma.

Gemma’s character also had a relationship with Sam Dingle and was involved in a storyline where she abused him.

After four years on the soap, Rachel died off screen in September 2019 after a suspected heart attack in her home.

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A post shared by Gemma Oaten (@gemma.oaten)

After her final scenes aired, Gemma shared an emotional message and throwback pictures on Instagram, thanking the soap for ‘changing her life’.

She wrote at the time: “What a journey it’s been. I got the role of Rachel Breckle in @emmerdale within a year of graduating from Drama school and it changed my life.

“I always dreamed I’d be part of the show one day, and as many of you know my struggles as a teen, you’ll understand why it really was a dream come true.

Gemma Oaten starred in Emmerdale between 2011 and 2015. Picture: Getty Images

“End of an era…such a privilege to have worked with so much talent and also our never forgotten Shirley Stelfox, Kitty McGeever, Freddie Jones and Richard Thorpe. Such an honour.”