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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
James Brinsford

Emmerdale's Gemma Oaten hospitalised with 'scary' kidney and Covid problems

Gemma Oaten has said that she has found it "scary" being hospitalised with kidney problems and Covid.

The 37-year-old former Emmerdale star admitted that she has had a difficult few day but is determined to "fight back" now that she is in "safe hands".

The actress said that she was feeling very "poorly" before heading into hospital and she shared a snap of herself from her bed there.

Gemma gave a thumbs up along with captioning the pic: "In hospital and in safe hands. Scary day. Signing off for sleep after more tests. Much love."

The soap star, who played Rachel Breckle from 2011 and 2015 in the ITV soap, said that she was already suffering from Covid when the problems with her kidneys started, leading her to be admitted to hospital.

Gemma Oaten shares a selfie from her hospital bed (INSTAGRAM)
Gemma Oaten said she is in "safe hands" after kidney scare (INSTAGRAM)

She told fans: "Hopefully I’ll be able to go home in a few days.

"I have Covid but this is actually to do with my kidneys being in distress.

"Really scary but the NHS services have been a lifeline for me today. So poorly and stress hasn’t helped but will fight back."

Gemma opened up earlier this year about battling an eating disorder during childhood which led to her being admitted to psychiatric units.

During her teenage years, Gemma said there was a "lack of care available" and "no real therapy" available so when she was 14, Gemma said that she relapsed again.

Gemma Oaten played Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale for four years before heading to Coronation Street (INSTAGRAM)

The situation became so desperate for Gemma, that she admitted wanting to take her own life as she saw no way of winning her battle with anorexia.

Speaking to Fabulous magazine, Gemma said: "It so easily could have been me. I had anorexia from the age of 10, which led to bulimia in my teens.

"An eating disorder doesn’t care what’s right or wrong. When it gets hold of a person, it will do everything it can to destroy them.

"It has the highest mortality rate of any mental health illness.

"People go to the extreme length of taking their own lives, because not being here is easier than being here. I know that because I’ve had that in my own life.

"At one point, I planned to take my own life, but my dad called out my name as I was about to do it and pulled me back from the brink.

"Another time, I planned to take my own life while in an eating disorder unit, but my parents took me home when I pleaded for them not to leave me. If they’d left, I don’t think I would be here."

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