Gemma Atkinson

Originally from Bury, Greater Manchester, Gemma Atkinson took her GCSEs at Castlebrook High School before becoming a commercial and photographic model.

Actress and television personality:

Atkinson rose to fame playing Lisa Hunter on the Channel 4 teenage soap opera Hollyoaks. Atkinson and Marcus Patric (who played the character Ben Davies) subsequently appeared in a "spin-off" series called Hollyoaks: Let Loose for E4, in which their characters started a new life together in Chester. This was followed by Hollyoaks: In the City also screened on the E4 network.

Atkinson played Goldie Lookin Chain's love interest in the music video for the single R'n'B and featured on the cover of the CD single release. She has appeared as a contestant on Reality TV series such Celebrity Weakest Link (with Marcus Patric) in December 2006, ITV1's Soapstar Superstar, reaching the last four stage, and Celebrity Masterchef.

In September 2007, Atkinson did a 5km charity run for Breast Cancer awareness. In October 2007, Atkinson played herself in an episode of the Channel 4 pilot series Comedy Showcase: Plus one.

In November 2007, she appeared on ITV1 in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, in Australia, coming fifth in the competition.

In 2008, Atkinson will star in the British independent film Boogie Woogie alongside Heather Graham. According to press reports, Atkinson is also planning to launch a music career: her debut CD will be recorded in Nashville.

Glamour modeling:

In early 2006, Atkinson underwent breast enlargement surgery, which took her bra size to a 34E(admitted during I'm a Celebrity...). She said in an interview that she lost weight due to a fitness regime and her bust size declined. The surgery then gave them the original shape they once were.

Since launching her parallel career as a glamour model, Atkinson has appeared in provocative photoshoots in lingerie and swimwear, including non-nude topless shots, for men's magazines such as Arena, FHM, Loaded, Maxim, Zoo Weekly and Nuts. In October 2006, she appeared in three of the aforementioned magazines in one month, becoming one of the most prolific celebrity glamour models in the UK. In November 2006, it was announced by Zoo Weekly that Atkinson had agreed to lend her name to their regular "sex and relationships column".

In May 2007, Atkinson was announced as the "glamourous new face" of the British Grand Prix and the official "mascot" of the "hi-octane" championship at Silverstone on July 8. She was the face of the 2007 Tour de France. In early 2007 she was elected to be the new face of the Lingerie chain La Senza. Her 2008 calendar was shot in Thailand, and was released on November 1st 2007. Gemma has stated she is proud of the more natural look of this calendar, as opposed to the glamorously stylised look of the 2007 product. In October 2007, Atkinson was elected the new face of Ultimo's D-G range.She opened Ultimo stores within Debenham branches in London,Belfast and Glasgow with the owner of Ultimo; Michelle Mone. Atkinson featured in the ITV reality series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! which began in the UK on November 12, 2007. She became the 7th celebrity to be evicted from the jungle - which she appeared very pleased about.

Gemma's Personal life:

Gemma is currently dating Wigan striker Marcus Bent. She has previously been linked to ex Emmerdale actor Cleveland Campbell,Man Utd winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Newcastle mid fielder Alan Smith.

Source: Wikipedia.org