Hollyoaks legend reveals she’s landed ‘dream job’ on rival soap – after quitting TV to teach yoga
GEMMA Merna has landed a role on Coronation Street.
The actress, 40, who is best known for playing Carmel McQueen in Hollyoaks, will arrive on the Cobbles as Adam Barlow’s latest love interest.
Gemma teased her role as Rebecca today before finally revealing more details.
She excitedly told fans: “The news is out. I’ve been keeping a little secret.
“I am thrilled to announce that I’ve landed my dream job on @coronationstreet!
“Can you believe it?! I’ve wanted to be on Coronation Street since I was a little girl. Being born and bred in Manchester, it’s truly a dream come true for me.
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“It’s been on my vision board for over 10 years, and finally, I got the chance to walk the cobbles. I can’t even believe I’m writing this.”
The actress continued: “I think the best part was ringing my mum and telling her. To my dad, nana, grandad, and grandma, who all watched it for many years, and were huge fans. I hope you’re proud of me up there.”
Gemma added: “Rebecca will be gracing your screens in the next coming weeks.”
According to Inside Soap, Gemma will be part of a brief storyline and Rebecca is one of lawyer’s Adam’s clients, who ‘succumbs to his charms’.
Gemma’s famous pals rushed to congratulate her, with Brooke Vincent writing: “Omg!!!!!! This is fab.”
Catherine Tyldesley commented: “Thrilled for you love xx”, and Stuart Manning added: “Hell yes Congratulations Gem xx.”
Gemma joined Hollyoaks as Carmel in 2006 but the character met a grizzly end in 2014 when she died in a dramatic train crash storyline on the same day as her cousin Porche McQueen (Twinnie Lee Moore).
Carmel was part of one of soapland's best-loved couples after marrying Calvin Valentine, played by Ricky Whittle.
After the soap, Gemma became a yoga instructor and is the founder of Mind & Wellness, which she describes as an "online gym membership for your mind & body".
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Speaking in the past about her yoga lessons, Gemma said: "When people first come into the room for one of my classes, they may see me as 'Gemma from Hollyoaks'. But by the time they leave, I'm just 'Gemma the yoga teacher' and they've had a great class.
“I'm very tough in my classes - nobody gets away with anything! So when they're in the room, they need to focus on their breathing and just do the class."