Shocking Emmerdale News: Gemma Atkinson’s Emotional Rollercoaster After Losing Beloved | Emmerdale Spoilers for 8th – 12th

Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson has opened up about her grief following the loss of her beloved dog, Norman. The actress first shared the heartbreaking news last weekend and has since taken to Instagram to express her feelings and coping mechanisms.

Describing grief as a “funny old thing” that strikes unexpectedly, Gemma emphasized that everyone deals with it differently. She admitted, “I didn’t train for over a week recently; my head just wasn’t in it, and I wanted to spend all my time with Norman. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions.” Gemma also recounted the poignant moment of collecting Norman’s ashes on the same day she picked up decorations for her daughter Mia’s fifth birthday, calling it a “strange day.”

Gemma revealed that she copes better with physical pain than emotional pain, relying on distraction to manage her grief. She recalled how her sister used to joke about her high pain threshold but admired her sister’s emotional strength. Despite the emotional turmoil, Gemma found solace in her first gym session back, which reminded her of the mental benefits of exercise. “It mentally keeps me on track and focused, putting me in a better place for everything else I need to do and be,” she explained.

She encouraged others to find their own ways to cope with loss, whether through walking, running, meditation, or yoga. On the day of her first workout, Gemma didn’t follow a set program but did whatever felt right. Despite Norman’s memory resurfacing after her shower, she felt uplifted by the endorphins and drove to work, singing in the car, ready to host her radio show. Gemma concluded by sharing that small steps towards self-care can help in the healing process, slowly bringing her back to feeling like herself again.