Hometown Hero Gemma Oaten “overwhelmed” by her own KCOM classic kiosk

Gemma Oaten is the latest local legend to get a classic K6 phone kiosk dedicated in their honour.

The Hull-born actress, presenter and campaigner unveiled her own dedicated cream phone box on Jameson Street this week, as part of KCOM’s Hometown Heroes campaign.

Gemma, best known for her roles on Emmerdale and Coronation Street and for her work with eating disorder support charity Seed, said: “It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to have a phone box named after me.

“Growing up in Hull, when I worked in Café Vanilla and in Dorothy Perkins - earning the money to get to acting school and pursue my dreams, I’d walk past this phone box every day to get my bus home. Never in a million years did I think one day it would be named after me. It’s a really proud moment.

“To think that you’ve helped touch someone’s life somewhere and you’ve been thought worthy of recognition like this is quite overwhelming.”

Gemma was joined by her mum and dad, Marg and Dennis, for the unveiling who said they were “as proud as punch” by the dedication.

Mum Marg, who was awarded an MBE for services to eating disorder charities in 2009, said: “We’re so proud of her. To have a telephone box named after you, something which is such a symbol of Hull and part of our city, is something special. We’re so proud of everything she’s achieved.”

Hometown Heroes is part of KCOM’s celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of its classic cream coloured K6 phone boxes, which first appeared on our streets in 1936. Last month, KCOM launched a public appeal for nominations of those unsung heroes who go above and beyond to improve local communities. It has since been inundated with more than 120 entries.

A celebrity judging panel including Gemma, Marcus “The Hull Boy” Skeet, Emma Hardy MP and Tommy Coyle will now hone the entries down to a final nine who will each have their own K6 kiosk named in their honour.

A KCOM spokesperson said: “Having someone like Gemma, who’s helped so many people through her charity work, be part of Hometown Heroes makes it extra special and it’s a privilege to have her on board. Our judges will soon be getting down to the serious task of picking our final nine Hometown Heroes and we know from the quality of the entries that it’s going to be a difficult choice.

“Thank you to everyone who’s taken part so far, we’ve seen some truly phenomenal entries which just goes to show what amazing people and strong communities we have across the KCOM region.”

The final nine winners will be unveiled next month.

• You can hear from Gemma on her Hull Trains podcast Moving Minds on YouTube and also on BBC Radio Humberside and York where she is a regular presenter.
• For more details about Hometown Heroes visit kcom.com/hometownheroes