Hollyoaks Gemma Merna reassures fan who thought her character’s death was real

Gemma Merna has reassured a young Hollyoaks fan who believed the death of her ditzy alter-ego Carmel McQueen was real.

The actress was contacted on Twitter by the girl’s mum, Delyth Jenkins, who detailed her daughter’s ‘hysterical’ reaction to a recently-aired episode of the teen saga that saw Carmel pass away in the aftermath of a train crash.

Gemma subsequently sent Delyth a direct message offering to provide reassurance to eight year old Ashlee Charles from Llanelli in South Wales over the phone.

Delyth later took to Twitter again to thank Gemma for contacting her daughter. She wrote: “Thank you sooooooo much to the beautiful @gemmamerna who just phoned my daughter to say she was up ok. You have made her day and mine. Xxx”.

The actress replied “@djinx84 glad she’s ok x”.

“Gemma was so lovely. She rang Ashlee and said ‘I’m fine, it is just because I’m leaving the show and not to be upset’. Ashlee was so overwhelmed, she absolutely idolises Gemma and she was so excited to have spoken to her that she wouldn’t go to sleep. I think Gemma has got a lifelong fan in Ashlee, she loves her.” – Delyth speaking to The Liverpool Echo

Gemma announced her decision to leave Hollyoaks after eight years in August stating that she is “excited to explore new avenues.”

Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4 with a first look on E4 week nights at 7pm and weekend omnibuses on E4.  Viewers can also catch up on demand at 4oD.