Gemma Atkinson 'turned down Hollyoaks'

Gemma Atkinson has claimed that she turned down the chance to return to Hollyoaks on a 12-month contract.

The actress played Lisa Hunter on the Channel 4 soap between 2001 and 2005 and last year expressed an interest in returning to the programme for a guest stint.

However, speaking to the Daily Star, Atkinson explained that she ultimately rejected an offer to reprise her role as Lisa because she is now focusing on movie work.

She commented: "I've just finished on a film which I have co-directed and also acted in. I'm now working on two more films and have signed with an American agent to try and break it over there.

"Hollyoaks offered me a year contract but I turned it down as I don't want to get stuck in that rut again."

Lisa's eccentric brother Lee Hunter returned to Hollyoaks last year as Alex Carter made a comeback in the role after leaving Emmerdale.

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