If you grew up watching EastEnders in the 1990s, you remember Clare Bates — the defiant granddaughter of Pete Beale. That character was played by Gemma Bissix, who started her acting career at just nine years old. Decades later, she’s still making headlines, most recently for a surprise return to Albert Square in 2026 as part of Nigel Bates’ dementia storyline. Here’s a fact-checked look at her career, her life away from the screen, and what’s next.
Born: 6 June 1983 ·
Age: 41 ·
Known for: Clare Bates in EastEnders, Hollyoaks ·
Instagram followers: 25,000 ·
Children: 2 daughters
Quick snapshot
- Whether she is currently married (BBC Media Centre notes no public husband)
- Details about her children’s father (BBC Media Centre)
- Whether she will return to EastEnders beyond the 2026 stint (Digital Spy)
- 2026 return marks the third time she has played Clare Bates (Radio Times)
- First EastEnders appearance: 1993, aged 9 (Wikipedia)
- Short EastEnders stint in spring 2026 tied to Nigel Bates’ dementia plot (BBC Media Centre)
- Reported Hollyoaks return in 2025 (Instagram)
Eight key facts about Gemma Bissix, from birth records to her current social media footprint, show a career spanning three decades:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gemma Louise Bissix |
| Born | 6 June 1983 |
| Age | 41 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Known for | Clare Bates (EastEnders), Hollyoaks |
| Children | 2 |
| @gbissix (25k followers) |
Is Gemma Bissix married?
- Marital status: Gemma Bissix is not currently married. Her Instagram bio describes her as an “award winning actress and mother of 2 girls” — no spouse is mentioned (Instagram @gbissix).
- Previous relationship: She has two daughters from a previous relationship. The identity of the father has not been publicly confirmed (Wikipedia).
- Rumour check: An IMDb entry lists a marriage to Kristian Rouse since 2018, but that information has not been corroborated by any other source and is not reflected in official profiles (IMDb).
Fans who want clarity on her personal life will find that Bissix keeps her family deliberately private — a choice that protects her children but leaves the public guessing about major life milestones like marriage.
The implication: her marital status remains one of the few unknowns in an otherwise well-documented biography. Without official confirmation from Bissix herself, any claims about a husband should be treated as unverified.
Why did Gemma Bissix leave EastEnders?
- 1998 departure: Bissix left EastEnders after five years because the storyline for Clare Bates came to a natural end. No public feud or contract dispute was reported (Wikipedia).
- 2008 return: She reprised the role for a guest stint broadcast on 1 February 2008. The character returned for a short arc involving Clare’s family (RTÉ).
- 2026 return: The BBC announced in February 2026 that Bissix would return again as part of Nigel Bates’ dementia storyline. Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said the team “always knew” it wanted to bring Clare back for this plot (Digital Spy).
What this means: each exit has been a creative choice driven by story demands, not personal dissatisfaction. Bissix has never publicly criticised the show, and the door has remained open for periodic returns.
Does Gemma Bissix have any children?
- Two daughters: Bissix is the mother of two girls. She frequently posts about motherhood on Instagram, calling herself “mum of 2 girls” in her bio (Instagram @gbissix).
- Co-parenting: Bissix has not publicly named the father of her children, nor has she discussed her parenting arrangements in interviews. She appears to prioritise her children’s privacy above media exposure (Wikipedia).
Bissix’s decision to keep her children out of the spotlight means that, unlike many soap stars, she controls her own narrative — a rarity in an industry that often trades on family drama for publicity.
The pattern: she shares select glimpses of her home life on social media but draws a clear line between her on-screen persona and her role as a mother. This balance has kept fans engaged without overexposing her family.
Is Gemma Bissix coming back to EastEnders?
- 2026 confirmation: Yes — the BBC confirmed in February 2026 that Bissix will return as Clare Bates for a short stint in spring 2026. The storyline involves Nigel Bates, who is living with dementia (BBC Media Centre).
- No long-term plans: The BBC described the return as a short stint. There is no indication of a permanent comeback or a recurring role beyond this storyline (Radio Times).
- Fan speculation: Online forums have floated ideas for a longer arc, but Bissix herself has expressed that she enjoys returning “when the story feels right” (Digital Spy).
Bissix’s return is tied to a specific, emotional storyline. If the dementia plot concludes or ratings don’t justify an extension, fans may not see Clare Bates again for another decade — if ever.
The trade-off: a short, high-impact arc gives Bissix creative satisfaction without the long-term commitment of a regular cast member. For viewers, the payoff is a poignant closure to Nigel’s story, not an open-ended return.
What is Gemma Bissix doing now?
- Acting projects: Besides the EastEnders return, Bissix reportedly returned to Hollyoaks in 2025 (Wikipedia). She has also appeared in theatre productions, though specific dates have not been widely publicised.
- Social media: Active on Instagram with 25,000 followers, she shares behind-the-scenes moments, parenting updates, and nostalgia posts about her soap career.
- Personal life: Bissix is focused on raising her two daughters. In a 2026 interview with Radio Times, she described the return to EastEnders as “emotional” and said she felt like “coming home” (Radio Times).
The takeaway: Bissix remains a working actress who picks projects that fit her family life. She has not pursued a full-time soap comeback, instead choosing guest roles that let her balance career and motherhood.
Timeline: Gemma Bissix’s career at a glance
- 6 June 1983: Born in Surrey, England (IMDb)
- 1993–1998: Played Clare Bates in EastEnders (Wikipedia)
- 2008: Returned to EastEnders as Clare Bates (broadcast 1 February) (RTÉ)
- 2008: Appeared in Britannia High (Wikipedia)
- 2018: Short EastEnders return (not confirmed by BBC schedule) — content plan indicates 2018 return
- 2025: Reportedly returned to Hollyoaks (Wikipedia)
- Spring 2026: Confirmed EastEnders return for Nigel Bates dementia storyline (BBC Media Centre)
Clarity check: confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
What’s unclear
- Whether she is married (no public evidence)
- Whether she will return to EastEnders beyond 2026 (no announcement)
- Details about her children’s father (not disclosed)
- Exact timeline of her 2018 EastEnders appearance (unconfirmed by BBC)
- Exact broadcast date of her 2026 EastEnders return (only ‘spring 2026’ announced) (BBC Media Centre)
Quotes from the star
“It was a real pleasure to be asked to reprise Clare for Nigel’s storyline.”
— Gemma Bissix, speaking to Digital Spy (2026)
“We always knew we wanted to bring Clare back for this storyline.”
— Chris Clenshaw, executive producer, told Digital Spy (2026)
For UK soap fans who grew up with Clare Bates, Bissix’s 2026 return offers a rare chance to see a childhood character come full circle. The choice is clear: watch the short stint as a poignant goodbye to Nigel — or risk waiting another two decades for a fourth appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
How old is Gemma Bissix?
She is 41 years old, born on 6 June 1983.
Where was Gemma Bissix born?
She was born in Surrey, England.
What is Gemma Bissix’s full name?
Her full name is Gemma Louise Bissix.
What TV shows has Gemma Bissix appeared in?
She is best known for EastEnders (Clare Bates), Hollyoaks (Clare Devine), and Britannia High.
How did Gemma Bissix start her acting career?
She began at age nine in 1993, playing Clare Bates in EastEnders.
Is Gemma Bissix active on social media?
Yes, she is on Instagram at @gbissix with about 25,000 followers.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.