MEAN MUMS
Gemma’s mental health storyline in Coronation Street explained as she’s bullied by cruel mums
THERE's dark times ahead for Gemma Winters in Coronation Street as she’s picked on by the other mums at a parent and baby group.
The ITV soap has confirmed that Gemma - who is played by actress Dolly-Rose Campbell - is set to face mental health issues in coming weeks as she struggles to cope with her quads.
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What do we know about Gemma’s mental health storyline in Corrie
Gemma’s mental health storyline will centre around her struggles to cope with her quads as she feels mounting pressure to be a good mum.
The storyline will also follow her suffering at the hands of bullies at a mother and baby group she attends.
Class leader Vanessa and her friend Imogen make an effort to befriend Gemma but are quick to turn nasty, mocking her for her parenting skills.
Next week’s episodes will sow the seeds of the storyline as Vanessa and Imogen make excuses when Gemma asks to hang out with them later that day.
But Gemma is upset when she hears loud music and voices booming from Imogen’s house and realises they’re having a party without her.
Later in the week, Vanessa and Imogen ply Gemma with alcohol and laugh at her.
Disaster then strikes when Gemma realises they think she’s a joke and rushes out onto the road with her buggy.
Gemma’s horrified when she narrowly misses a car and realises she could have killed her quads.
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When is Gemma’s mum Bernie returning to Corrie?
Bernie will come to Gemma’s rescue next week in Corrie after her daughter sounds worn out in a voicemail she leaves for her.
When Bernie appears at Gemma’s house, she’s shocked by the state of it.
But when she encourages Gemma to take a break and come out for tea, she’s clearly anxious to step out of her home.
In next week’s episodes, Bernie barges into Imogen’s backyard after it becomes clear she deliberately didn’t invite Gemma to her party.
Bernie has a go at Imogen for not inviting Gemma and tells her off for being so cruel.
But will Bernie just make things a thousand times worse for Gemma?
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What has Dolly-Rose Campbell said about the storyline?
Dolly-Rose Campbell - who plays Gemma on the ITV soap - has hinted that the soap will be delving into Gemma’s mental health struggles in coming weeks as she’s picked on by the snobby mums.
Speaking about the storyline to , Dolly-Rose said: "Gemma finds it quite comforting to meet other mums who seem to be supportive of her and meet other mums who are going through similar struggles to her – and that is just with one baby. She had felt very isolated as she doesn't have friends who have babies.
"On the face of it, Vanessa and Imogen are not Gemma's usual type of people. They seem very posh, neat and tidy and well put together. They look like they are in control and are breezing through motherhood, so in some way they are what she aspires to be.
"They are the Freshco's personified. So to be accepted on the face of it by these yummy mummies makes her feel great and less alone.
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Dolly-Rose added: "They like her because it gives them someone to look down on. She makes them feel better about themselves because they are grateful they are not like her and they are coping better than her."
Hinting at a possible depression storyline, Dolly-Rose said: “Gemma has no idea that this may be a medical problem – she does not know that at this stage.
"Bernie knows her better than anyone and it is going to take someone close to her to recognise what she is going through and that this is more than just struggling with the babies, she does need real help to get through this."
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