EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Gemma Bissix unrecognisable 30 years after making soap debut
GEMMA Bissix first appeared on our screens three decades ago as fresh-faced nine-year-old Clare Bates.
The EastEnders star was a much-loved character in the long-running soap before later joining Hollyoaks as iconic character Clare Devine.
Fans will recognise Gemma, 39, from her younger years, when she was cast as young Clare aged nine - a character she played throughout her teens.
The Surrey-born actress featured in over 200 episodes of EastEnders between 1993 and 2008, before briefly re-appearing in 2013.
Her return to Albert Square was short-lived, as her character was killed off by Doctor Browning, who shockingly ran her over with his car.
Hollyoaks fans will also be very familiar with the actress, as she played Clare Cunningham from 2006 to 2013.
Gemma replaced Samantha Rowley, who played the character previously, and her on-screen persona was written into some very dark storylines.
From dabbling in drugs, to blackmailing Warren and setting fire to The Loft, there was never a dull moment for the then bleach-blonde.
Now, the actress looks a world away from her former characters, appearing all grown up - despite keeping her lighter tresses.
Gemma was recently spotted on the red carpet, keeping it casual in a white blouse, shorts and boots as she revealed her changing visage.
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Following her soap days, the TV star continued to pursue a career in the world of show business with a number of other roles.
She starred in the pantomime Cinderella last year and went on tour with comedy show Mums The Word.
She's also dabbled in reality shows including Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Masterchef, Hole in the Wall and Total Wipeout.
Gemma played Amanda Hudgens in Ghetto Heaven in 2017, and revealed she was almost cast for ITV soap Emmerdale.
It was revealed Gemma auditioned for the role of Andrea Tate before the job was given to fellow soap actress Anna Nightingale.
She said in 2020: "I auditioned for Emmerdale last January. It was just a self tape, I got really lovely feedback actually, saying it was great and lovely to see you and stuff like that.
"But it was quite a similar role, a bitchy kind of role so even when I did the script I thought to myself it's a bit kind of like I went back to EastEnders and it was a bit bitchy and obviously Hollyoaks..."
Aside from her acting work, Gemma is also mum to two children with her husband Kristian Ruse, who soften shares snaps with on social media.
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