Kay Purcell


Kay Purcell is an English actress, best known for her roles as Gina Conway in Tracy Beaker Returns and in the spin-off series The Dumping Ground; Cynthia Daggert in Emmerdale, although she first appeared in Emmerdale as Carmel Morgan. and taking part in the former Malaysia Airlines safety video as a passenger, Mrs Rennison in So Awkward and Candice Smilie in Waterloo Road.

Career

Purcell's first acting role was as a TV reporter in the TV series Cracker in 1995. She then later starred in an episode of Coronation Street as Rhona Summers for one episode in 1997. She appeared as Jenny in the TV series City Central. In 1998 and 2000 she starred in the BBC 1 series Casualty. In 1998 she played WDC McCarthy, and in 2000 played Diane Abley. Later in 2000 she starred in the TV series Children's Ward as Winsome. Her first major role was as Cynthia Daggert in ITV's Emmerdale. She starred in 187 episodes from 2001–2002. Her next major role was in Bernard's Watch in 2004–2005, as Ms. Savage for 21 episodes. Purcell played a recurring role in BBC's Waterloo Road as Bolton Smilie's mum Candice Smilie from 2007–2009. She played the role of Gina Conway in Tracy Beaker Returns for three series, as well as the first series of the spin-off series The Dumping Ground, her departure was unexplained in later episodes, although head writer Elly Brewer stated that Gina left to get a position in order to have more money to pay for her mother, who has dementia. In 2012 Purcell took part in the show Celebrity Fit Club, where she and the other celebrities lost weight for charity.

Personal life

In early 2017, Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer. Kay has been sharing her journey by posting images, videos and blogs on social media to show her own battle of the disease that many other women suffer from. The journey is being shared by one of Kay's close friends named Ryan Anthony, who is helping her post on her .

Filmography

Theatre