Former Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten gushed about her ‘best date ever’ after being single for five years.
The 40-year-old is perhaps best known to Emmerdale fans as Rachel Breckle, having played the role between 2011 and 2014, before returning for a short stint in 2015
In her latest Instagram post, the soap star shared a mirror selfie of her in a green dress and lifted the lid on her journey in romantic relationships
‘I’ve been single 5 years now…,’ she shared.
‘This week I had the best date ever! With MYSELF.
‘Growing up I was isolated for so many years, institutionalised in eating disorder units, hospitals & physchiatric units. They did me more harm than good.’
She added: ‘So when I finally found the path to recovery away from them, I had a genuine fear of being alone.
‘I could not stay in on my own, especially when I was single. I needed company constantly. I feared isolation as I was so scared of being in my own thoughts & not being allowed to see family or friends.’
Gemma concluded the lengthy post: ‘The power of connection, even when words aren’t spoken to each other, always blows me a way.
‘Maybe one day I’ll find true love with someone else? Maybe I won’t. Either way…I like falling in love with me again. Invest in loving yourself. You matter.’
Emmerdale fans adored Rachel’s relationship with Sam Dingle (James Hooton), but things went wrong for them when Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Declan Macey tried to frame Sam for the Home Farm fire of 2013, forcing Rachel to go on the run in order to save him from prison.
When Rachel returned after Charity was sent to prison, Sam and Rachel were unable to repair their relationship, and when her violent behaviour towards him was exposed, she left the village.
Outside of acting, Gemma has dedicated her time to raising awareness for eating disorders, following her own battle with anorexia and bulimia.
