The actress and presenter has revealed early struggles with a lazy eye and poor hearing
Gemma Oaten at the Specsavers-supported Hull KR vs Brisbane Broncos match at the MKM Stadium, with her mum and dad, Marg and Dennis Oaten; Gemma as a child when she was helped to ‘feel cool’ wearing glasses(Image: supplied images)
Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten has spoken about the struggles she had with her eyes and ears in her early life and how the health of both has been “critical” to her career. The Hull actress and presenter has told how, as a four-year-old, she was troubled with a lazy eye.
Gemma said: ‘I felt so upset when I found out I had to wear an eye patch, but the Specsavers team in Hull were so lovely and supportive. They made me feel cool and that I’d stand out in a good way by wearing one – then when I moved to my first pair of glasses, I was actually excited to wear them.”
As well as this, Gemma also suffered with poor hearing as a child which resulted in her having a grommet fitted. The minor surgery involves tiny tubes being inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid and improve hearing.
Gemma said: ‘My eyes and ears have been such a critical part of my career. I needed good eyesight to read scripts easily without getting headaches, and good hearing for times I was on set filming so I could clearly listen to cues.
‘I was also in and out of hospital a lot when I was younger, so protecting my health, including my eyes and ears was always important. Specsavers has always been there to hold my hand and I’m extremely grateful.”
READ MORE: Emmerdale’s Gemma Oaten ‘dead happy’ to be back home living in Hull
Having good sight and hearing was also extremely important to Gemma as a dedicated Hull KR fan when she attended match days. Rugby league formed a huge part of her upbringing and family life, and she is still an avid supporter today.
“My brother was signed by Hull KR when he was a teenager and watching him throughout the years shine and excel in doing what he loves has been fantastic,” she said. “The sport in general and my connection to the club, especially now that my nephew, Jack Charles, plays for the team, has been amazing.
“I don’t know if you have to be from Hull to understand it, but there is such a sense of pride. I was brought up on the rugby pitch, and me and the family couldn’t be prouder of the connection we still have to the club, even to this day.
“A lot of people may not know my back story, but when I was ten, I developed an eating disorder and was very poorly, so during that time, rugby became a huge source of strength for me. I’ll never forget being allowed out of the psychiatric unit when I was 12 so that I could watch my brother play at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final.
“It gave me such a boost in my recovery and gave me the courage to keep going and keep fighting my eating disorder.” For Gemma, grassroots sport has always had a hugely positive impact on her life, making the partnership between Hull KR and Specsavers particularly meaningful.
The star supported Specsavers’ playful matchday activation when Hull KR defeated the Brisbane Broncos at the MKM Stadium. The stadium’s rival rugby colours of black and white were turned red and white, with the handing out of red-tinted glasses to fans to wear.
Gemma attended the match alongside her mum and dad, Marg and Dennis, who founded the Support and Empathy for People With Eating Disorders – SEED – charity, of which Gemma is patron. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night,” she said.
“My mum has a lot of mobility problems and my dad’s health hasn’t been great, so being able to attend the match with them both and watch Hull KR at the top of their game was incredible. The atmosphere was amazing and it meant the world to us.”
Of rugby league and the positive impact it has on the city, Gemma said: “It was incredible to see those colours and for everyone to come together as one. A bit of friendly rivalry is good, and I might get frowned upon for saying this, but I’m Hull and proud.
“I’d never want to see Hull FC lose a game, unless it’s Derby day, obviously, because I’m a Hull KR fan. It’s just amazing to see the success for the city in this incredible game.
‘I’ve always been proud to be from Hull. I was asked to do elocution lessons at drama school to help my accent but I always said no – I’ve always made sure my connection to the city is really strong.
‘We are an amazing city with incredible people and organisations.”
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