Following the news her character, Rachel Breckle, had died off-screen in Emmerdale, Gemma Oaten has posted a message on her Instagram account.
Last week, Jai Sharma was surprised when Dan Spencer brought Jai’s son with Rachel, Archie, back to the village.
Dan revealed Rachel had passed away and viewers were left heartbroken.
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It leaves Jai as sole carer for young Archie, the son he and Rachel had after a one-night stand when Jai was married to Charity Dingle.
Jai treated Rachel appallingly, setting her up for arson, and fighting a bitter custody battle with her, and she eventually left the village with Archie in tow.
After the episode had aired, Rachel’s alter ego paid tribute to the deceased character on Instagram.
She wrote: “And so Rachel has joined her soap family in the sky. What a journey it’s been.
“I got the role of Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale within a year of graduating from drama school and it changed my life.”
She continued: “I always dreamed I’d be part of the show one day, and as many of you know my struggles as a teen, you’ll understand why it really was a dream come true.
“Forever grateful for those four years playing her and the comfort of those jogging bottoms and hoodie (perhaps not so much the scrunchy 😂).
“Thanks for all the lovely comments since the news came out and for all the support I’ve had since I left the show in 2015. You’re a lovely bunch!
“End of an era…such a privilege to have worked with so much talent and also our never forgotten Shirley Stelfox, Kitty McGeever, Freddie Jones and Richard Thorpe. Such an honour.”
Gemma also replied to a fan on Twitter, who said they ‘couldn’t believe’ Rachel had been killed off, listing the other projects she has in the pipeline.
It’s OK! @BKL_Productions Ten times table tour and then @antiquesroadtrip airs soon and don’t forget little Sydney in @BBCHolbyCity Every now and then… And there’s more exciting things coming which I can hopefully announce soon! You’re all very lovely xxx https://t.co/d0pK0Ujs5X
— Gemma Oaten (@gemmaoaten) September 19, 2019
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The actress played Rachel on and off from 2011 until 2015.
After her departure from the Dales, she joined Holby City for a guest stint as agency nurse Sydney Somers.
Although she last filmed for Holby back in 2018, Sydney is known to be a recurring character.
Gemma has been very open about her anorexia battle as a teen, revealing recently it caused a heart attack.
She also said she was just hours from death as the disease took it’s hold on her.
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