A HOLLYOAKS actress has landed a huge new job AWAY from the soap after being brutally killed off.
The former Hollyoaks star has made a huge career U-turn and is now a backing singer for a huge popstar on a massive tour.
Jemma Donavon, daughter of Jason Donavon, is one of two backing singers for Gary Barlow’s tour.
She was killed off as Rayne Royce on Hollyoaks after just a year – and before that she was on Neighbours.
The British-Australian actress, 25, who has been in a relationship with Owen Warner since 2023, has been spotted on-stage with Gary on his Songbook Tour.
Introducing his fans to his band in an Instagram post a couple of weeks ago, Gary revealed Jemma was a backing singer on his tour.
“Bringing the age group down,” Gary said before introducing his backing singers, the hitmaker then walked over to Jemma and fellow backing singer Sophie.
Fans have since been raving about Jemma and her beautiful singing voice on social media since seeing her perform with Gary.
One person shared a snap on Instagram of Gary at the piano and Jemma holding a mic on stage.
They wrote in the caption: “Love how @officialgarybarlow is so kind and encouraging of his singers like @jemma_donovan.
“He made sure her microphone was turned right up so we could all hear her, and she was fabulous.”
Meanwhile, a fan on X shared a video from the night and wrote: “The finale @GaryBarlow!
“A huge shout out to Jason Donovan’s daughter Jemma who was fabulous as a backing singer.”
Nepo-baby Jemma grew up in London but relocated to Australia in 2018.
Jemma relocated to her father’s home country so she could audition for Aussie soap operas.
She then went to several auditions arranged by her father’s agent, including an audition for Home and Away.
Her final audition was for the long-running soap opera Neighbours.
Jemma’s father, grandfather, and aunt had all previously starred in it.
She originally auditioned for the role of Roxy Willis, but due to her not being right for the role, it went to Zima Anderson.
Producers later created a character that was ideal for Jemma.
Jemma landed the role of the character of Harlow Robinson.
When she joined the soap, Harlow’s plot resembled Jemma’s own move from England to Australia.
After her stint in the Aussie soap, Jemma came back to the UK and made her first appearance in Hollyoaks in 2023.
She first starred in the soap in January 2023, but nine months later it was announced that the character would be murdered as part of a whodunit storyline with her exit coming shortly after.
