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EMM LEAVING

Emmerdale pin-up Gemma Atkinson has quit the soap to build her Bollywood career

SOAP beauty Gemma Atkinson has quit Emmerdale to focus on her radio and Bollywood movie careers.

Gemma, 32, who plays Carly Hope, told bosses she was leaving in the last week and will be written out in the coming months.

 Gemma is leaving the soap to concentrate on radio and her blossoming Bollywood career
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Gemma is leaving the soap to concentrate on radio and her blossoming Bollywood careerCredit: Splash News

She took on a breakfast show co-hosting role at Manchester radio station Key 103 last month — and has been trying to balance the early starts and late finishes.

After broadcasting from 6am to 10am at Key’s city centre studios, she then drives to Leeds to film Emmerdale until 7pm.

A source said: “Gemma has loved her time in Emmerdale and isn’t saying it’s for good.

“But she’s taking an extended break to focus on other avenues.

 She first appeared in the soap having fled from her wedding
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She first appeared in the soap having fled from her weddingCredit: Rex Features
 Gemma has had some tough storylines during her time as Carly
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Gemma has had some tough storylines during her time as Carly
 Gemma has built up a successful Bollywood career
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Gemma has built up a successful Bollywood careerCredit: Film Company

“She loves doing the radio and also wants to broaden her horizons on the acting front.”

Gemma, who once had a fling with Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, first appeared as Carly in March 2015.

She arrived wearing a wedding dress having ditched her fiancé.

Last year she was involved in a moving cot death storyline — and has become romantically involved with Woolpack chef Marlon Dingle.

Gemma first found fame aged 16 on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

She has also appeared in BBC drama Casualty and in 2007 finished fifth on I’m A Celebrity.

 Gemma made a 2007 appearance on ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity
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Gemma made a 2007 appearance on ITV reality show I’m A CelebrityCredit: Rex Features
 Gemma first appeared in Emmerdale in 2015
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Gemma first appeared in Emmerdale in 2015Credit: Fame Flynet

She made her Bollywood debut in suspense thriller Fever last year.

Emmerdale sources did not comment.

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