Emmerdale actress reveals she was mugged on her birthday and says ‘it's all gone'
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 40-year-old shared a series of photos from the special night out, before explaining to fans how the day had taken an unexpected turn.
Gemma wrote: 'OK, so let's get the crappy stuff out of the way – life threw a little curve ball on my birthday yesterday and I had my phone stolen about 2 hours after these photos were taken. Bank cards, everything gone.
'So apologize if I haven't been responding to text/WhatsApp/social media – I have no phone. I guess I was mugged – but I am safe and no harm came to me, it was all very quick.'
Despite the incident, Gemma chose to focus on the positive aspects of her day, praising her friend Richard, who joined her for the evening.
She added: 'Now onto the good stuff – I was so blown away by all my birthday messages, thank you!
"And I had the most amazing day pampering myself before a gorgeous evening with one of my best friends in the world @richardlamberth who took me to where we first met at Groucho all those years ago, before having a seafood feast to die for at @randallandaubin.'
Looking ahead to a planned holiday, Gemma admitted the day after the mugging was 'a bit stressful' as she tried to replace essentials and access funds.
The star continued: 'Today has been a bit stressful, as I go on holiday tomorrow – trying to get money out at the bank, an oyster card, find a way to get hold of my train tickets – but I have done it.
"And although I don't have a phone – I only feel blessed and grateful for all the kindness I have received today as I have ran around Fulham, trying to suss it all out.
"Sometimes, we can't control the uncontrolables, that's life. BUT, we can chose how we react.'
Gemma - who played Gemma played Rachel Breckle in the ITV soap - ended her post by thanking Richard for his support and assuring fans she'd briefly check in before her holiday.
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She wrote: 'I won't be able to reply to anyone and apologies if you have messaged my phone over the last 20 hours – it is blocked and until my e-sim is activated, I will be a little quiet.
"However I will bob on tomorrow before I sign off social media for my holibobs! WHOOP!
"Always take the blessings. Thank you Richard for keeping me calm and safe and getting me home last night – I am so lucky to have you.
"Life has so many postives, you just have to keep making sure you are open to seeing them. You matter, G xxx."
It's been a turbulent times for the soap star, with a biscuit company boss recently sacked for slapping Gemma's bum at an awards bash, a tribunal heard.
Steve Jones claimed she had given him permission for the on-stage slap.
But a colleague who later saw a video of the incident said it had upset her and referred to the #Metoo movement.
Jones, who was head of health and safety at McVitie's owner Pladis, was then fired for 'violating morality and decency'.
An employment tribunal was told that the incident happened as he volunteered to go on stage to accept a gong won by the company.
It was being presented by an actress — not identified at the hearing — and Jones stood next to her and slapped her bottom.
The tribunal heard that although Jones had not asked for consent, he told her he had slapped another 'well-known woman's' bum on stage, so the actress said 'go for it'.
Hundreds of people had attended the International Safety Awards — organised by the British Safety Council — which took place at the InterContinental Hotel in London' s Park Lane on June 7 last year.
A junior colleague of Jones who was at the event — but who did not see the slap — said she was shown a video of the incident and was upset by it.
Jones was reported to HR and had a disciplinary hearing the following month for 'physical conduct pertaining to sexual harassment '.
He said he had 'nothing to apologise' for and that even the actress 'felt it was appropriate in the context of the evening'.
But Jones was sacked over the 'wholly inappropriate' behaviour.
He was told that entering into a conversation with the presenter before receiving the award was 'ill-judged and had the potential to put any female presenter in a very uncomfortable position'.
Gemma, who was in Emmerdale from 2011 to 2015, was not interviewed on the matter.
But in a social media post the day after the bash, she told of the 'naughtiness' of the event and said she had a 'bloody good giggle'.
Jones had joined Pladia in 2001 as head of health, safety, environment and security.
He appealed against his sacking but it was dismissed. He then took it to the tribunal, alleging unfair dismissal.
Jones said the views of the actress were 'highly relevant' and that she 'did not feel harassed, was not distressed, and made no complaint'.
But the central London tribunal found his conduct had upset colleagues and he was fairly dismissed.
The Sun approached Gemma for comment at the time.
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