Gemma Atkinson won’t return to Emmerdale as she signs up for her radio show for another year
GEMMA Atkinson won't be returning to Emmerdale as she's just renewed her contract with radio station Key 103.
The actress had previously hinted that she'd return to the long-running soap after her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking on Sunday Brunch, Gemma explained how she had recently renewed her radio contract and ruled out an immediate return to Emmerdale.
She explained: "Emmerdale's left open and I absolutely love it! So I'll never say never, but at the minute I can't do both.
"I did both for six months and it just, the hours, it killed me... and the travelling."
Heartbreaking scenes saw Gemma leave in June 2017 as Carly left the village to begin a new life with Irish Matt after her boyfriend Marlon persuaded her to walk away from their relationship.
At the time Gemma said her character will come back to "mess up" more people and sort "unfinished business" at some future junction.
The telly beauty told The Sun: "I think the possibility of Carly coming back is huge.
"She has got her dad in the village, and little April. She doesn't say bye to [Marlon's daughter] April so that will weigh heavily on her mind."
"She'll go and try having a really happy life with Matt but there will be a shadow over it because she has unfinished business in Emmerdale.
"I think Carly will go off and do some living, but she will come back and make amends, so to speak."
The telly favourite appeared on Lorraine in November prior to the Strictly Come Dancing final.
Gemma, 33, made it very clear that she wants her character Carly Hope to return to the soap very soon.
Gemma said: “The Emmerdale cast have all been down to watch me on Strictly.”
And when Lorraine asked if audiences will be seeing Gemma back in the Dales soon, the actor made it very clear she wanted that to happen.
She said: “I’d like to think so, yeah. It’s been left open so yeah, hopefully I will.
“I loved Emmerdale, it was brilliant.”
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