Actress and former Strictly star Gemma Atkinson has spoken about her 'leaked' return to Hollyoaks in 2022.
Gemma will be making a comeback to the fictional village as Lisa Hunter.
The 37-year-old joined the soap at aged 15 and played the character of Lisa until she left the soap aged 22.
Speaking on Channel 4 Steph's Packed Lunch show on Tuesday, where she is a regular celebrity guest, the star said she will only have a short appearance.
"It's a bit embarrassing," Gemma explained: "because it somehow got leaked that I was going back and everyone was like 'oh my gosh amazing, this is fantastic, cant wait'.
"And 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. It's kind of in and out."
On November 12, Hollyoaks posted on their Twitter page to say the actress was returning with fans welcoming her back to the soap.
The post read: "OMG! Look who’s baaaaaack! That’s right! @MissGAtkinson will be returning to #Hollyoaks for a special guest appearance as Lisa Hunter! We can’t wait for Lisa’s return and we’re sure she’ll take the village by storm!"
Gemma, who is engaged to Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancer Gorka Márquez and they share a two-year-old baby girl, opened up about how the soap had been asking for her to return for "a while".
"It's been a long time since I've gone back and that's part of the reason why I wanted to," she continued.
"I absolutely love Hollyoaks and the team there are great.
"It's because of Hollyoaks that I've had a career. It was my first ever job. So I always said if ever there was time, I would gladly go back and we've managed to make some time."
Gemma will start filming her scenes for the soap in the New Year.
Steph's Packed Lunch airs weekdays on Channel 4 from 12.30pm.
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