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.
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 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.
She made her Bollywood debut in suspense thriller Fever last year.
Emmerdale sources did not comment.