Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten has revealed she’s single in a candid Instagram post. The star, who portrayed Rachel Breckle in the ITV drama, has opened up about the highs and lows of her romantic journey, now confirming the relationship has ended.

Gemma, 41, who has kept her former partner’s identity private, took to Instagram today from her living room, wearing a pink jumper, to share what she playfully dubbed “breaking news” about her love life.

Emphasising she was ‘single but content’, she declared: “I am single. DOUBLE BREAKING NEWS: I’m actually quite happy to be so.”

Yet, acknowledging she had felt “lonely” during the relationship, she explained: “Seriously though… there’s a specific kind of heaviness that comes with feeling lonely in a relationship. It’s a weight you don’t have to carry anymore.”

Despite being “hurt”, she maintained her heart remained open, stating: “Don’t get me wrong, my heart is not closed. Anybody who knows me knows that I am such an open book-hence why I probably get hurt a lot! But I really want to try and normalise the conversation that you don’t have to be in a relationship,” reports the Mirror.

Highlighting mental wellbeing as a priority, she continued: “Sometimes life doesn’t work out the way you thought it had to, and you realise that being solo is actually the best route for you and your mental health right now.”

The performer concluded with: “It’s not a waiting room; it’s a destination. I’m doing more than okay; I’m thriving.”

Gemma dated DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles a decade ago. The pair hit it off in September 2016 after meeting at the TV Choice Awards, before enjoying a romantic getaway to Edinburgh. However, their whirlwind romance was short-lived.

Prior to this, Gemma was involved with Andy Barnes in 2014, followed by a relationship with Scott Walker that lasted just over a year. These days, she tends to keep her personal life details under wraps.

Gemma rose to prominence portraying Rachel in Emmerdale between 2011 and 2015, earning herself a British Soap Award nomination for Best Newcomer in the process.

Following her departure from the Yorkshire-based soap, she has appeared in a range of television programmes and films, including Rise of the Footsoldier: The Pat Tate Story, Holby City and Coronation Street.

Beyond her screen work, Gemma has also graced stages across the UK in numerous theatrical productions, including Bedroom Farce and Up ‘n’ Under.