Emmerdale's Gemma Oaten, 37, reveals she suffered a miscarriage

Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten took to Instagram on Tuesday to talk to her followers about suffering a miscarriage three years ago.

The TV star, 37, explained that her 13-year battle with anorexia led to struggles with fertility, and that she has looked into freezing her eggs.

Tragically, she was told there weren't many to retrieve - leading her to the admission online, to help others who might be battling an eating disorder or struggles with fertility.

Next to the brave video, she wrote: 'I have been wanting to share this video for a while now. But never had the time or courage, but now I've realised this deserves my time and I've found my strength.

'Ever since I can remember I've always been told "you're so good with kids Gem, you're a mum before you're a mum." Then anorexia took hold and the conversation was about how if I carried on like this I may not be able to have children.

'I buried my head in the sand... That won't happen to me. The last ten years though, being well, away from the eating disorder, its become more and more prominent on my mind.

'This video is longer than I normally post. Some say you shouldn't do long form videos as people lose interest. But then I realised, the people who need it will. This isn't about likes and numbers, this is real life.

'3 weeks ago I went to a Fertility clinic to look at the prospect of having children, freezing my eggs... facing up to my fears. Having had a miscarriage three years ago, something I've never spoken about until now, and also being a single 37 year old, it's was time to be brave.

'So here I am, heart exposed and arms wide open, saying "here I am!" and if it helps one person, its worth it.

'Too much is not discussed about eating disorders and the impact they have on the lives of sufferers and loved ones because of stigmas. So many stigmas. We need to be open to create change in the conversation.