22 hours Ago By [email protected] (Hayley Anderson)
DI Ray fans are thrilled as the show returns for its second season, with viewers eager to delve into the life of actress Gemma Whelan. The second season of DI Ray premiered on Sunday, October 20, on ITV , with episodes two and three also airing this week. The final three episodes are set to be broadcast next Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night.
Gemma Whelan reprises her role as DCI Kerry Henderson, the trusted colleague of DI Rachita Ray, played by Parminder Nagra. As DI Ray hits our screens once again, here's a glimpse into the 43-year-old actress's life away from the camera. Health battles Whelan, born in Leeds and brought up in the Midlands, comes from a family with a strong passion for theatre; her parents met through amateur dramatics, and her brother took part in plays.
She was educated at The King's High School for Girls in Warwick and later attended the London Studio Centre. However, she faced challenges during her teenage years, battling anorexia which led to hospitalisation. Actress Gemma Whelan's husband and former actor and comedian Gerry Howell and their two children.
(Image: INSTAGRAM) Read More Related Articles ITV reports soaring profits bolstered by Euros 2024 and Love Island success Read More Related Articles Martin Lewis issues students six warnings over 'Plan 5' finance loans In an interview with The Times, Whelan shared how her struggle with the eating disorder has influenced her outlook on life. She said: "It's part of my life. If it can help one or two people maybe feel it's not hopeless and you can get better, then yeah, I'll share it.
"I am not so private I wouldn't talk about that. Because it really shaped me. "It formed so much of my life and the way I live my life and my personality and my approach to things.
" Career triumphs Whelan, a graduate of performing arts from Middlesex University, initially began her career as a comedian, portraying the character Chastity Butterworth. She was crowned the winner of the 2010 Funny Women Variety Award during this early phase of her career. Actress Gemma Whelan was behind Yara Greyjoy in HBO's Game Of Thrones.
(Image: HBO) Over time, the star ventured deeper into acting and has since landed significant roles in popular shows such as The Tower, Game Of Thrones, The End Of The F*****g World and Gentleman Jack, to mention a few. Famous spouse The DI Ray actress is married to former actor and comedian Gerry Howell, who fans may recognise from his appearance on the 2006 Channel 4 reality show The Play's The Thing. He also bagged the Best Individual Comedy Show award at the Buxton Fringe Festival in 2010 for his solo comedy-drama The Fantastic Reality of Frederick Goodge.
Howell and Whelan tied the knot in 2017 when she was five months pregnant. They now live in London with their daughter Frances and son Freddie. Reports suggest that Howell has since left the entertainment industry and currently works as a psychotherapist.
Actress Gemma Whelan has returned as DCI Kerry Henderson for DI Ray season two on ITV. (Image: ITV) Father's final plea Before having their first child, Whelan and her husband were uncertain about starting a family. In an interview with You Magazine last year, she revealed that her father "begged" her not to have children before he passed away.
She remarked: "He said: 'Will you promise me not to have children?' "But only because of the state of the world that I would be bringing them into. I mean. "The world he left behind was peachy compared to now.
Seven years ago, Brexit hadn't been finalised, there was still a bit of hope and decent weather; a relative utopia. "But I fully agreed with him. Then he passed away and the urge to make my own children was so strong.
And just over a year later, Frances arrived." DI Ray is available to watch on ITV and ITVX..
