From Gemma Winter-Brown to Real-Life Dolly

Dolly, who joined the ITV soap in 2014, quickly became a fan favourite for her portrayal of the outspoken Rovers barmaid Gemma. Over the years, Gemma has been at the centre of several major storylines, including giving birth to quadruplets and dealing with the death of her on-screen brother, Paul (Peter Ash).

Despite her high-profile role, Dolly tends to keep her personal life private, rarely posting updates on social media. Recently, however, she shared new professional headshots that showcased a very different side of herself.

A Bold New Look

In her Instagram post, Dolly revealed her natural hairstyle: much shorter and curly, quite unlike the character’s signature wig. She captioned the post simply, “Headshots @joeolismith,” allowing the images to speak for themselves. Fans and co-stars were quick to respond with praise.

One fan commented, “Gemma needs to go for a haircut and come back as the real you! Suits you so well!” Another added, “Love love love your natural hair—you look beautiful.” Even Sue Devaney, who plays Debbie Webster on Corrie, complimented her, saying, “Gorgeous Dolly! Love them!”

Mixed Reactions

Not all reactions were positive. Some followers left critical comments, with one saying, “Oh no Dolly, this is aging you.” Supporters quickly defended her, with one fan stating, “Some people have no filter and are so rude! If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” Another wrote, “You are so pretty, @dolly_rose_campbell. I’m a massive fan of the natural look. The comments saying it makes you look older are appalling!”

The Bottom Line

Dolly-Rose Campbell’s new headshots offer a refreshing glimpse of the actress behind one of Corrie’s most beloved characters. Whether fans embrace this natural look or miss the iconic Gemma wig, it’s clear that Dolly’s talent and charm continue to shine—both on and off-screen.