Coronation Street Gemma Oaten as Isla Haywood
Soaps

Gemma Oaten’s Isla Haywood stirs drama in Coronation Street

Her husband put paid to any plans she had to seduce Tyrone

Gemma Oaten arrived in Coronation Street as Isla Haywood last week ready to bag herself a Tyrone- Dobbs-shaped man.

However, tonight, poor Ty discovered his new lady love wasn’t all she was cracked up to be – and got himself a smack in the face for his trouble.

But is this the last we’ll see of Isla on our screens?

Gemma Oaten plays Isla in Coronation Street (Credit: ITV)

Who is Isla in Coronation Street?

Isla Haywood met Ty on Wednesday, November 10 when her daughter Darcy went to a party with Tyrone’s daughter Ruby.

The mum of the birthday child, Penny, was rude about little Hope and pretended she hadn’t been able to invite her to the party due to the limit on numbers.

But Tyrone was angry with her for judging his daughter and impressed Isla when he stood up to Penny on Hope’s behalf.

Isla asked Tyrone out for a drink (Credit: ITV)

Later, Isla found Ty and asked him if he and Hope would like to get a milkshake with her and Darcy.

Read more: Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher reveals blonde transformation

Isla told Tyrone she was single and asked him out for a drink. Flattered, Tyrone accepted, much to the delight of Hope and Darcy.

Gemma Oaten at the SEED charity gala
Gemma Oaten runs eating disorder charity SEED (Credit: Brett D.Cove/SplashNews)

Who plays Isla in Coronation Street?

Isla is played by actress Gemma Oaten.

Gemma has been starring on stage and television for several years. She’s also the manager and patron of eating disorder charity SEED. Gemma has been open about her own struggles with an eating disorder and works hard to help others.

Gemma was once linked with DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, but she’s now single.

Isla was truthful about her relationship status (Credit: ITV)

What happened between Tyrone and Isla in Coronation Street?

Tyrone and Isla had their date tonight (Tuesday, November 16) and it seemed to be going well as they met up in Speed Daal.

But as they were about to leave, her husband came flying in and punched Ty square in the face!

Tyrone had no idea Isla was already married and felt quite the fool for believing she was into him.

As Fiz and Phill tended to Ty’s wounds, Isla and her husband were mid-argument and stormed out of Speed Daal not to be seen again.

Tyrone and Isla’s date ended in disaster (Credit: ITV)

Has Gemma Oaten left Coronation Street?

Tomorrow, Fiz will tell her ex he shouldn’t feel too bad as Isla has something of a reputation for playing away with other dads. Coronation Street has confirmed this will be the end to the storyline.

Gemma was contracted to appear in the soap for four episodes and Tuesday was the last of those.

However, Gemma told The Mirror she would love to make a comeback to the cobbles: “The directors and other cast members were saying Isla was such a brilliant character and needed to come back, so fingers crossed.

“I would obviously love to join Corrie full-time. The way I leave the cobbles is very open for a return.”

Fans seemed pretty taken with her too, with one tweeting: “I just wanted to say that Gemma Oaten
has been truly superb as Isla in Corrie! Hope she gets a longer stint!”

What else has Gemma Oaten been in?

Gemma is no stranger to the world of soaps, having played recurring character Sydney Somers in Holby City a handful of times since 2017.

gemma oaten in Holby city
Gemma played Sydney Somers in Holby City (Credit: BBC)

And Gemma is best known for being Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale for several years.

Who was Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale?

Rachel Breckle was the younger sister of Ali Spencer, which makes her auntie to sweet-natured teenager Amelia Spencer.

She was also the mum of Jai Sharma’s son, Archie.

Gemma Oaten in Emmerdale
Gemma played Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)

Rachel and Jai had a one-night stand when Rachel was working as a cleaner at the Sharmas’ sweet factory and Jai was married to Charity Dingle.

She faced a nasty custody battle with Jai – which she won. And she and Archie left the village together.

Tragically, after such a fight to keep the little lad, Rachel died off-screen in 2019 and Archie came to live with his dad.

Following Rachel’s death, Gemma paid gushing tribute in an Instagram post to her character, in which she thanked all the cast and crew for the brilliant times she’d had.

Want more spoilers from Coronation Street? Entertainment Daily has a dedicated Coronation Street spoilers section for you to get your fix before the latest episodes air.

Coronation Street usually airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

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Carena Crawford
Associate Editor (Soaps)