Gemma Bissix was the second actress to play the character Clare Devine. She made her first appearance in April 2006 taking over the role from Samantha Rowley; until her character was killed-off in October 2013.
Bissix auditioned for five characters on Hollyoaks before being offered the chance to audition for Clare. Bissix initially rejected the audition, however her agent refused to take no for an answer. Bissix auditioned for a character named "Fiona", but discovered that she was auditioning for a role that was to be re-cast.
Personal Life[]
Bissix was born in St Peters Hospital in Chertsey and is the eldest of five siblings. Her parents divorced when she was 11. She was brought up in Elmbridge, Surrey and attended Thames Ditton Middle School and Hinchley Wood School.
Bissix began smoking at the age of 11; she quit in 2009 at the age of 25 and lent her support to the NHS "Stop Smoking Service" to promote No Smoking Day, but has since started again which her parents let her do. She is a patron of the White Lodge Centre for disabled adults and children in Chertsey, and hosts charity auctions at her father's bar, Reds, in Weybridge.
Acting[]
At the age of nine in 1993, she was cast in EastEnders as Clare Bates. She remained their for 5 years on the show before making a brief return in 2008. Her other television roles have included Doctors, The Crust and Britannia High.
Other TV Shows[]
On 14 March 2008, Bissix appeared on a Sport Relief special of Strictly Come Dancing, with Darren Gough, to raise money for the charity appeal. The pair scored 22 out of 30 points with their dance, the American Smooth. She also appeared in an EastEnders special edition of The Weakest Link, in June 2008. She was the 1st one voted off. Bissix appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2009. She was partnered with Andrei Lipanov, but became the first female to be eliminated after failing to win the judges support in the skate-off with Melinda Messenger. She was one of various celebrities to participate in BBC's Celebrity MasterChef, which aired in June 2009. She was selected by the judges to go through to the quarter-final. In October 2009 she appeared on the BBC One show Hole in the Wall. She was a member of the winning team, donating the winnings to the White Lodge centre for disabled adults in Chertsey, of which she is a Patron. In April 2011 she appeared on the Celebrity Edition of the BBC One show Total Wipeout. Since 2009, Bissix has been a panellist on some editions of the Channel 5 talk show The Wright Stuff contributing to a newspaper review and topical debate.
Awards[]
Gemma has been nominated for numerous awards for her portrayal of Clare Devine. She won Villain of the Year at the British Soap Awards in 2007; Best Exit at the Digital Spy Soap Awards in 2008 and at the British Soap Awards in 2008 won both Best Exit and Most Spectacular Scene.
Filmography Prior to Hollyoaks Debut[]
| Title of Film/Programme | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EastEnders | Clare Bates | 1993-2008 |
| Doctors | Meredith Stuart / Von Trapp / Roxanne Lloyd | 2002-2010 |
| The Crust | Sadie | 2005 |
| Hollyoaks | Clare Devine | 2006-2013 |