Few child actors manage the leap from one soap opera to another without getting lost in the shuffle, but Gemma Bissix pulled it off twice. Best known for playing two very different characters named Clare — the sweet Clare Bates on EastEnders and the scheming Clare Devine on Hollyoaks — she started acting at the age of nine. Here’s a clear look at her career, personal life, and what comes next for the British soap star.

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Born: 6 June 1983 ·
Place of Birth: Surrey, England ·
Known For: Clare Bates (EastEnders), Clare Devine (Hollyoaks) ·
Children: 2 daughters ·
Occupation: Actress

Quick snapshot

1Personal Life
2EastEnders Career
3Other TV Work
4Film & Other

Seven key facts, one pattern: Gemma Bissix built her career on long-running soap roles and returned to EastEnders after a long break.

Label Value
Full Name Gemma Louise Bissix (IMDb (film database))
Date of Birth 6 June 1983 (IMDb (film database))
Place of Birth Surrey, England (IMDb (film database))
Occupation Actress
Years Active 1992–present (Apple TV (streaming service bio))
Children 2 daughters (Instagram (social media profile))
Notable Roles Clare Bates (EastEnders); Clare Devine (Hollyoaks); Britannia High (Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet))

Is Gemma Bissix married?

There is no public record of Gemma Bissix being currently married. The actress keeps her romantic life largely private, and no official confirmations of a husband or partner have been made. She is, however, open about her role as a mother.

Does Gemma Bissix have any children?

Yes — she has two daughters. Her Instagram (social media profile) bio describes her as an “award winning actress and mother of 2 girls.” She occasionally shares glimpses of family life, but does not post their faces publicly.

The upshot

Bissix keeps her personal life off-camera, but the glimpses she shares confirm that motherhood is front and centre — not marriage speculation.

Why did Gemma Bissix leave EastEnders?

Bissix played Clare Bates on EastEnders as a child from 1993 until 1998, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). She left the regular cast at the age of 15 to explore other acting projects. After leaving, she took a break from acting, running a pub with her father for two years and working at his caravan park, as reported by the Liverpool Echo (regional news).

When did Gemma Bissix leave EastEnders?

Her final regular appearance was in 1998. She later returned for guest stints in the 2010s, discussing the experience with Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet) in 2026.

Why this matters

Leaving a flagship soap at 15 could have ended her career. Instead, Bissix stepped away, reset, and later returned to a different kind of spotlight — proving that EastEnders wasn’t her only chapter.

Is Gemma Bissix coming back to EastEnders?

As of now, no future return has been officially announced. Her most recent EastEnders appearance was a guest stint — though the exact year isn’t widely sourced. In a 2026 interview with Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet), Bissix reflected on the differences between her two iconic roles, but did not hint at another return.

Has Gemma Bissix returned to EastEnders recently?

She returned for guest appearances in the 2010s, including a stint in 2018 that was covered by entertainment press. No details of a 2025 or 2026 return have surfaced.

The catch

Fans hope for a full-time comeback, but Bissix seems content with occasional guest spots. The door is open, but she’s not rushing through it.

What is Gemma Bissix best known for?

She is best known for playing Clare Bates on EastEnders and Clare Devine on Hollyoaks — two characters who share a first name but little else. As she told Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet), her Hollyoaks persona required “heightened acting” because the character “is a murderer and she’s a bit of a villain.”

What is Gemma Bissix’s role in EastEnders?

She played Clare Bates, a teenager involved in storylines about family and relationships. The character is remembered as a sweet, troubled girl — different from the villain she later played.

What is Gemma Bissix’s role in Hollyoaks?

She played Clare Devine-Banks, a manipulative villain. According to Hollyoaks Wiki (fandom wiki), she took over the role from Samantha Rowley and appeared from April 2006 to September 2007.

The paradox

Two characters named Clare — one innocent, one lethal. That range is what makes Bissix stand out in British soap history.

What TV shows and movies has Gemma Bissix appeared in?

Her screen credits span soap operas, a musical drama, and an indie film. TV Guide (TV listings and credits) lists her key television work, while IMDb (film database) adds film roles.

  • EastEnders (1993–1998, guest in 2015 & 2018) — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
  • Hollyoaks (2006–2007) — TV Guide (TV listings and credits)
  • Britannia High (2008) — IMDb (film database)
  • Ghetto Heaven (2017) — IMDb (film database)

What movies has Gemma Bissix been in?

Her only feature film credit to date is Ghetto Heaven (2017), listed on IMDb (film database). She also has theatre credits, though they are not widely catalogued.

The pattern is clear: Bissix is a soap specialist, but she has proven she can handle both the heightened drama of a villain and the naturalism of a straight role.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born 6 June 1983 in Surrey, England (IMDb (film database))
  • Best known for playing Clare Bates on EastEnders and Clare Devine on Hollyoaks (Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet))
  • Has two daughters (Instagram (social media profile))
  • Appeared in Hollyoaks, Britannia High, and Ghetto Heaven (TV Guide (TV listings and credits))
  • Left EastEnders as a regular in 1998 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

  • Current marital status — no official confirmation of marriage or partner
  • Whether she will return to EastEnders in the future — no announcement
  • Details of her relationships or any current partner

Quotes from Bissix

“It was heightened acting because my character was a murderer and she’s a bit of a villain.”

— Gemma Bissix, on playing Clare Devine in Hollyoaks (Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet), 2026)

“Award winning actress and mother of 2 girls.”

— Gemma Bissix, Instagram bio (Instagram (social media profile))

Gemma Bissix’s career shows the staying power of a soap star who knows when to step away and when to return. For British soap fans, the takeaway is simple: enjoy her guest spots when they come, but don’t expect her to commit to a full-time contract — she’s already proven she can thrive on her own terms.

Additional sources

dancingoniceuk.fandom.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, facebook.com

Fans of Gemma Bissix may also be interested in Jamie Lomas biography, which details his role as Warren Fox in the same soap.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Gemma Bissix’s age?

She was born on 6 June 1983, making her 41 as of 2024 (IMDb (film database)).

Where was Gemma Bissix born?

She was born in Surrey, England (IMDb (film database)).

Is Gemma Bissix on Instagram?

Yes, she is active on Instagram under the handle @gbissix (Instagram (social media profile)).

What is Gemma Bissix’s Instagram handle?

Her handle is @gbissix (Instagram (social media profile)).

Who does Gemma Bissix’s agency represent?

She is represented by Roger Carey Associates (per her professional listings).

Has Gemma Bissix won any awards?

She refers to herself as an “award winning actress” in her Instagram bio, but specific awards are not publicly listed.

What is Gemma Bissix’s most famous role?

She is best known for playing Clare Bates on EastEnders (Digital Spy (UK soap news outlet)).

Does Gemma Bissix still act?

She has not taken on a regular television role since her Hollyoaks stint ended in 2007, but she has made occasional guest appearances and remains represented by an acting agency.

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