Emmerdale’s Gemma Atkinson slams ‘airbrushed’ claims

(Image credit: PA ARCHIVE IMAGES)

Gemma Atkinson, who plays Carly Hope in ITV soap Emmerdale, has hit out at critics who have accused her of using airbrushed images.

"I worked damn hard to get in this shape," the actress told Closer, who posted a picture on Instagram as proof of her hard work in the gym. She added: “It annoys the hell out of me when people think I haven’t worked hard. I wish (like some lucky beggars!) I looked like this without as much effort but, alas, I don’t.”

Carly, who previously played Lisa Hunter in Channel 4’s teenage soap Hollyoaks and paramedic Tamzin Bayle on Casualty (2011–2014), added: “It took consistency, patience, willpower and hard graft both on the gym floor and at home to control what I ate and what I avoided. I’m not an athlete, I am a normal girl and I love my food.”

Opening up in a recent interview, 30-year-old Gemma, who is in a relationship with personal trainer Olly Foster, admitted she’s feeling broody.

“I always said I’d have a baby at 32 – my mum had me at 32 – so hopefully we’ll do that in a few years if God allows it.”