SOAP STAR GEMMA TAKES BREAK FROM MEN ‘I feel burned by my fling with TV Nick’
TV babe Gemma Oaten is taking a break from men after love-life dramas left her “burned”.
The ex-Emmerdale actress was dumped by hunky Nick Knowles earlier this year.
She claims the DIY SOS presenter promised his marriage was over but ended their fling when photos of them together surfaced online.
Gemma, 32, said: “It was weird. It was very eggy and it did put me off dating.
“I’ve been a little bit burned and now is the time for me to be a little bit selfish and look after me.”
Gemma’s romance with Nick, 54, saw her unfairly branded a “marriage wrecker”.
But she is keen for them to be on good terms.
She added: “It’s not been easy. I saw him at the National Television Awards and you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. But I’m OK now.
“And if he’s all right that’s brilliant. I genuinely don’t wish him any ill will. I actually wish I could see him and ED GLEAVE talk to him about it. But that will never happen.” The ordeal came a year after Gemma’s long-term relationship with actor Andy Barnes fell apart. But she said: “I love my own company and it’s really nice now to think I’m happy on my own. Not every day is easy. “Acting is a difficult industry. But there are so many people who genuinely care about me. I’m so bloody lucky.” Over the years Gemma has starred in Casualty, Doctors and Emmerdale. And soon fans will see her joining Holby City. But she reckons being a successful TV actress makes dating tougher. Gemma said: “I think a lot of men like to care for their woman. But when you’re in showbiz you learn to look after yourself. “If you love your career not many men can get their heads around it.” Gemma is a patron of SEED – the eating disorder charity.