Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten rushed to hospital after bad fall as she walked dog

Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten has revealed she went to hospital after falling "really badly".

The star told fans on Instagram that she was out walking with her dog Ruby when she took a tumble.

The actor, who played Rachel Breckle on the ITV soap, was filling her followers in on her week when she shared: "Then I fell. Literally.

"Really badly on the walk home with Ruby on Wednesday night & then she had another seizure when we got to bed too..."

The star said she had "powered through" that night then went to A&E, where she "discovered I've got some nice little chips of bone off my elbow".

"And now I've a glamorous sling & a heap of painkillers," she said.

Oaten said she was sharing what happened because "that's life".

"It's got its ups & downs, but it's how you handle it that is the game changer," she said.

"I'm so blessed for this week. I'm so grateful for the moments, the friendships & the support of all I'm striving for. But most of all I'm proud of myself & how I have reacted.

"As the quote goes - 'our greatest glory is not in ever falling, but in rising every time we fall' CONFUCIUS.

"I'm grand, I'm feeling so positive & empowered & considering the girl I was - I am bloody delighted with the open, authentic, vulnerable, bounce back ability woman I am becoming."

"Life is a journey," she said. "Keep learning. You matter."

Gemma Oaten open about her health

Oaten is best known for playing Rachel Breckle on the soap Emmerdale and she has previously won praise for being open about her health struggles.

She previously battled eating disorder anorexia when she was younger.

In 2021, the actor said that she almost died four times as she fought the illness.

“I lost 13 years of my life and nearly died four times," she said in an interview on ITV's Lorraine.

"I don't want that to happen to anybody else," added the actor, who is the patron of voluntary organisation SEED Eating Disorder Support Services.

Oaten's dog has also had health challenges

The actor said her beloved dog Ruby has been having tests for seizures and tremors, saying she was “such a brave girl and so resilient”.

She told fans: “A little funny story 1st - I had to take a urine sample of hers to the vet too - you try catching a hyperactive dog’s pee with only your left arm working?! God I got some stares with that Tupperware & sling in the park.”

The star added that she and Ruby had both being feeling “vulnerable” after the week they’d had.

“She's not left my side & I've not left hers,” she said.

“I've had to work all weekend & never more so than this week as we are just shy of 1 week to go until the @seedsupportuk gala, but she's literally been cheerleading me on.”

Read more: Gemma Oaten

• Former Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten opens up about miscarriage and fertility struggles

• Gemma Oaten reveals she nearly died four times during anorexia battle

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