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Gemma Atkinson describes vigil for Olivia Campbell as “bittersweet”

The 15-year-old victim was from the actress's hometown

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Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson has shared her experience of the vigil held in Manchester for Olivia Campbell.

The 33-year-old spoke to Thursday’s Good Morning Britain from her Key 103 radio show.

She explained that she attended the vigil dedicated to 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, who lost her life at the Ariana Grande concert on Monday.

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Gemma told hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway: “She was from Bury, my home town, so I went with my mum.

“It was bittersweet. It was really emotional, but the fact so many people turned out for Olivia, and for John Atkinson from Ratcliff, it was bittersweet really.”

The Emmerdale star, who also starred in Hollyoaks, said that the streets of Manchester were “eerie” as she drove to work after the attack.

“There was no one about on the streets, the roads were like a ghost town – and you just felt really flat. It’s affected everyone in Manchester,” the radio presenter said.

However, the actress is hopeful. “As time’s gone on the sense of pride and camaraderie’s picking back up, people are starting to see hope again,” she said.

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“I’m proud to be Mancunian today and I’m sorry for everyone affected and I hope together we can build Manchester back and not let tragedy divide us.”

Earlier in the week, Olivia’s mother rang into the Good Morning Britain studio to talk to Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan about her finding her daughter.

The heartbreaking plea brought Susanna to tears.

Talking on Wednesday’s show, Piers and Susanna revealed that Olivia had in fact been confirmed to be one of 22 that were killed during the attack.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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