Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson on why she turned down return

Hollyoaks spoilers follow.

Actor Gemma Atkinson who previously played Carly Hope in Emmerdale has revealed why she will not be returning to the ITV soap any time soon.

The soap star, set to reprise her role as Lisa Hunter after 17 years in Hollyoaks this week, told OK! Magazine: "Emmerdale has mentioned me going back, but with soaps the thing that people don't realise is that the cast and crew do quite gruelling hours."

The 37-year-old mum is currently planning her wedding with fiancée Gorka Màrquez, who she met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. This is alongside her hosting job at Hits Radio UK.

lisa hunter and zara morgan in hollyoaks

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"What I love now about my job with the radio is I know every single day when I'm going to get home. I can plan my family life and fit being a mum around that job.

"Maybe when Mia is a bit older and in school I might consider it, but at the minute it's not practical, especially with Gorka doing a lot of touring and stuff," she explained, about returning to Emmerdale in the future.

Speaking about her return last year Atkinson said: "It's very, very short. I'm kind of in and out, so it's absolutely fab that I am, but it's not like a big thing. I don't want people to think they're going to be in with a long, long ride with Lisa Hunter."

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Her character Lisa will be part of a new story for Zara Morgan (Kelly Condron). Condron explained: "When Lisa arrives, she and Zara are still very much best friends. Lisa wants Zara to move away with her as she has an amazing life and lots of great things are happening.

"But Lisa doesn't know about all the stuff Zara has going on with Luke [Morgan, her brother played by Gary Lucy] and his dementia."

Hollyoaks now streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Amazon Prime Video.