Jennifer Ellison, best known for her role as Emily Shadwick on the Channel 4 soap Brookside, has returned to television for the first time in a decade. The 43-year-old actress stars in the ITV comedy series G'wed, which aired its latest episode on Monday, June 8. In the show, she plays Anna, the estranged mother of Aimee Morris, portrayed by Amber Harrison.
Dramatic Transformation for New Role
Ellison has undergone a significant transformation for the part, swapping her signature bright blonde hair for a redhead look. The change marks a new chapter in her career, which began 28 years ago when she first appeared on Brookside. Her character met a dramatic end in 2003, but Ellison has now returned to the small screen in a Liverpool-based comedy.
Appearance on Good Morning Britain
Following her TV comeback, Ellison appeared on Tuesday's (June 23) edition of Good Morning Britain alongside presenters Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh. During the interview, she addressed her extended absence from television, attributing it to a lack of confidence and the demands of raising her three children—Bobby, Harry, and Charlie—with her husband Robbie Tickle.
“I think what it was was confidence, self-confidence. Boys, they came first, and for a long time, I gained a lot of weight, and I wasn't looking after myself,” Ellison explained.
Struggle with Sugar Addiction
The conversation also touched on Ellison’s past struggles with sugar addiction. She revealed that she used to drink six to seven cans of cola daily, consuming an estimated 79 kilograms of sugar per year. When asked by Ranvir Singh if she had a sugar addiction, Ellison replied, “I did. I didn't realise until I worked out how many cans of coke I was drinking a day. I know it sounds silly, but it was kind of energy, so it was like getting through the day, having a can of Coke.”
Singh then asked if she was drinking fizzy drinks instead of eating, to which Ellison confirmed, “Yes, I was drinking a lot of drinks.” She added, “By the time someone put in front of me the amount of sugar I was drinking a day, I don't know how I've got any teeth left.”
Awareness of Addiction
Ellison emphasized the addictive nature of sugar, stating, “People don't realise how addictive it is and that's the thing because there is not much education around it and there are not many people aware of how addictive it can be.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX. Season three of G'wed is currently available to stream on ITVX.
