Former Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten has opened up about a deeply personal turning point in her life, confirming that she has split from her most recent boyfriend and

is now single once again. In a candid and emotionally resonant message to fans, the actress revealed not only the end of her relationship, but also a powerful shift in how she views love,

independence, and her own emotional well-being. Gemma, who is best known for her portrayal of Rachel Breckle on the long-running ITV soap, has long been admired for her honesty.

Whether discussing her acting career, mental health, or romantic life, she has consistently chosen transparency over silence. This time was no different, as she took to Instagram to share what she jokingly described as “breaking news.”

Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten has confirmed she is single in a new post

The star has split from her latest boyfriend

“I am single,” Gemma announced in a video, before adding with characteristic wit and self-awareness, “DOUBLE breaking news: I’m actually quite happy to be so.”

While the tone initially appeared light-hearted, what followed was a thoughtful and emotionally layered reflection on what it truly means to walk away from a relationship that no longer serves you. Gemma’s words struck a chord with many, particularly those who have experienced loneliness not in solitude, but while sharing their life with someone else.

In a longer written post, the actress expanded on her feelings, describing what she called “a specific kind of heaviness” that comes from being lonely within a relationship. “It’s a weight you don’t have to carry anymore,” she wrote, capturing a truth that resonated widely across social media. For Gemma, the end of this relationship did not signal failure, but relief—and the reclaiming of emotional space.

Importantly, she was careful to clarify that her heart remains open, even if she is choosing to step back from romance for now. “Don’t get me wrong, my heart is not closed,” she explained. “Anybody who knows me knows that I am such an open book—hence why I probably get hurt a lot.”

That line, in particular, stood out to fans. It was a raw admission that vulnerability, while beautiful, can also come at a cost. Gemma has never shied away from loving deeply, and she acknowledged that her openness has, at times, left her exposed to pain. Still, she made it clear that she does not see that openness as a flaw—only something she is learning to protect more carefully.

The heart of her message centered on a theme she feels is still rarely normalized: the idea that being single is not something to “fix.” “I really want to try and normalise the conversation that you don’t have to be in a relationship,” Gemma wrote. She rejected the notion that life must follow a predetermined script—meet someone, settle down, and build happiness exclusively through partnership.

“Sometimes life doesn’t work out the way you thought it ‘had’ to,” she continued, “and you realise that being solo is actually the best route for you and your mental health right now.”

Perhaps the most powerful statement of all came when she reframed singlehood not as an interim phase, but as something meaningful in its own right. “It’s not a waiting room; it’s a destination,” she declared. “I’m doing more than okay; I’m thriving.”

Gemma rose to fame on Emmerdale

The response from fans was immediate and overwhelmingly supportive. Many praised Gemma for articulating feelings they themselves had struggled to express, while others thanked her for challenging the stigma often attached to being single—especially for women in the public eye.

Gemma’s romantic history has long attracted attention, something she has acknowledged has influenced how much of her private life she chooses to share today. Her most high-profile relationship was with DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, whom she dated briefly in 2016 after the pair met at the TV Choice Awards. Their whirlwind romance, which included a highly publicized trip to Edinburgh, captured headlines before coming to an abrupt end.

Before that, Gemma dated aspiring actor Andy Barnes in 2014 and later enjoyed a longer relationship with producer Scott Walker, which lasted just over a year. Each romance, played out to varying degrees in the public eye, brought with it intense scrutiny—something Gemma has since admitted can be emotionally exhausting.

In recent years, she has deliberately chosen to keep the identities of her partners private, drawing firmer boundaries between her public persona and her personal life. The boyfriend she has now split from was never publicly revealed, a decision that appears increasingly intentional as she prioritizes her emotional safety and sense of self.

Gemma’s willingness to speak openly about heartbreak, growth, and self-preservation feels particularly significant given her history of candid conversations around mental health. Her latest message underscores a recurring theme in her life: the importance of choosing oneself, even when that choice is difficult or misunderstood.

For many fans, this chapter does not feel like an ending, but a recalibration. Rather than centering her story around loss, Gemma has framed it around clarity—recognizing what no longer fits and having the courage to let it go.

As she moves forward, Gemma Oaten appears grounded, reflective, and resolute. She is not closing the door on love, but she is no longer willing to sacrifice her peace to maintain a relationship that leaves her feeling unseen or alone. In an industry—and a society—that often equates happiness with coupledom, her message is both refreshing and quietly radical.