GEMMA Bissix first appeared on our screens almost three decades ago as fresh-faced nine-year-old Clare Bates.
The EastEnders star was a much-loved character in the long-running soap before later joining Hollyoaks as iconic character Clare Devine.
Fans will recognise Gemma, 38, from her younger years, when she was cast as young Clare aged nine – who she acted as her throughout her teens.
The Surrey-born actress featured in over 200 episodes of EastEnders between 1993 and 2008, before briefly re-appearing in 2013.
Her return to Albert Square was short-lived, as her character was killed off by Doctor Browning, who shockingly ran her over with his car.
Hollyoaks fans will also be very familiar with the actress, as she played Clare Cunningham from 2006 and 2013.
Gemma replaced Samantha Rowley, who played the character previously, and her on-screen persona was written into some very dark storylines.
From dabbling in drugs, to blackmailing Warren and setting fire to The Loft, there was never a dull moment for the then bleach-blonde.
Now, the actress looks a world away from her younger characters, appearing all grown up – despite keeping her lighter tresses.
Gemma was recently spotted on the red carpet, keeping it casual in a white blouse, shorts and boots as she revealed her changing visage.
Since her soap days, the TV star has continued to pursue a career in the world of show business with a number of other roles.
She’s dabbled in a number of reality shows, including Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Masterchef, Hole in the Wall and Total Wipeout.
Back in 2017, she also played Amanda Hudgens in Ghetto Heaven, and revealed she was almost cast for ITV soap Emmerdale.
She auditioned for the role of Andrea Tate before the job was given to fellow soap actress Anna Nightingale.
She said in 2020: “I auditioned for Emmerdale last January. It was just a self tape, I got really lovely feedback actually, saying it was great and lovely to see you and stuff like that.
“But it was quite a similar role, a bitchy kind of role so even when I did the script I thought to myself it’s a bit kind of like I went back to EastEnders and it was a bit bitchy and obviously Hollyoaks…”
Aside from her acting work, Gemma has also welcomed two children with her partner Kristian Ruse, who she is often seen with on social media.
The pair are engaged but seem to be keeping their wedding plans under wraps.
Recently we revealed what the actress who played Lucy Beale, at the centre of one of the biggest whodunnits of all time, was up to now.
We also showed how the actress who played Tiffany Butcher was all grown up, and revealed what happened to Michelle Fowler.
