Gemma Merna

A Little Gem

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Gemma Atkinson's Maxim covershoot
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Hollyoaks bikini shoot
Hollyoaks beach shoot
Gemma Atkinson and Carley Stenson lingerie shoot
Georgina Walker (star of  late-night spin-off 'In the City')

There’s something about Hollyoaks girls. They just can’t keep their clothes on. Whether they’re acting in the show, standing in a photo studio, or buying economy waffles in their local Asda, they can’t resist whipping off their jeans. The latest culprit is the wonderfully-endowed Gemma Merna, who plays onscreen dipstick Carmel McQueen. She may not be the sharpest in the show, but she’s charmed a few of the Hollyblokes into undoing her buttons. And the good news is, in real life she’s as bright as one!

Did you get your handbag free with a magazine?

Oh no, I like my nice handbags! That’s one thing I like – nice handbags, and nice shoes. I’ve spent about £400 on this handbag. I always have loads of food in it, too.

Scotch eggs?

No… it’s full of little nibbles for when I’m on set. And people are always laughing at me because I go down on set in my warm coat and it’s stashed with little packets of food. I get hungry all the time.

If you got really, really fat would the producers bump you off?

I hope they wouldn’t bump me off, though they’d probably tell me to go on a diet: ‘Stop eating all the pies!’ But no, you can’t kill Carmel off. She’s such a fantastic character – I’ll just make sure I don’t get fat.

What would your specialist subject be on Mastermind?

Me on Mastermind? That’s hilarious. My specialist subject would probably be about… shoes. But I wouldn’t get past the first question…

Well, let’s see. Question one: what is the name of the wooden shoes native to Holland?

Clogs. But don’t ask me any more – I had enough trouble getting that one.

OK, here’s a different one – what’s your favourite hymn?

Probably ‘Kum Ba Yah’. But that’s everyone favourite, isn’t it?

Would you ever do a Gemma Atkinson and become a glamour model and start dating footballers?

No. I’ve got nothing against footballers. If I met one who was lovely, then possibly. But I like my man to be out of the scene and someone who can look after me.

A nice homely man called Trevor, perhaps?

Er, yes. Though I’d probably take the mickey out of his name all the time. Gemma and Trevor: that would sound quite nice on our wedding invitation.

Finally, what kind of drunk are you? Lively? Quiet? Psychotic?

I get very, very giddy. Everyone loves me drunk. I don’t have any inhibitions. I’m full of fun, living life to the max.

Hollyoaks is on Channel 4, weekdays at 6.30pm