Gemma Atkinson

Gemma Atkinson has given up glamour modelling. The former 'Hollyoaks' star has vowed to cover up and stop posing for men's magazine in a bid to be taken more seriously as an actress. She said: "I am not doing any shoots this year. You can't expect to have done a Channel 4 soap and become a movie star, so I have had to start all over again. I made a decision to take a year out from modelling.

"I think the lads' magazines might have been a bit disappointed. I will still do my calendar, which is different, as it's my own styling, my own team."

Gemma plans to use her break to focus on broadening her skills to boost her chances of landing major roles.

She added: "I don't want to do soap again - I want the next step up.

"I have been coming down to London to meet with my acting coach and to have elocution lessons. Then I went to the States and worked over there."

Despite enjoying her time in America, Bury-born Gemma is happy to be back in the UK as it means she can spend more time with her boyfriend, Liam Richards, a former 'Britain's Got Talent' finalist from martial arts act Strike.

She added: "I've never been this happy in any relationship. Liam's from Sheffield so we have the same northern sense of humour and family background. No airs and graces - he's a typical Yorkshire lad, which I love."