Rebecca Sarker’s Journey to Body Positivity
Rebecca Sarker, known for her role as Dr. Manpreet Sharma on Emmerdale, has always been open about sharing personal aspects of her life with her fans. From her career on the soap to her fitness journey, Rebecca’s Instagram is a window into her world. But when it comes to posting body-positive bikini photos, the actress admits she had some initial reservations.

In an interview with The Sun, Rebecca shared that it wasn’t always easy to embrace sharing her more intimate moments with her followers. She recalled a moment a few years ago when she’d taken a picture of herself in Lycra pants and a sports bra after doing some stunt scenes for Emmerdale. Her husband, Rico, encouraged her to share the picture on Instagram, but Rebecca’s first reaction was hesitation: “No, no, I can’t post that.”
However, after some encouragement from her husband and a check with the Emmerdale production team to make sure it wasn’t “too outrageous,” Rebecca decided to go ahead and share the photo. This marked the beginning of her more confident and body-positive approach to social media.

Embracing Fitness and Confidence
Rebecca, who is 50 years old, enjoys staying fit and often posts about her healthy lifestyle, including her regular workouts at the gym and cycling sessions. She shared that she works out at least three times a week and takes great pride in how her body looks. “It’s me being a bit cheeky, having some fun and it’s a chance to show I am happy in myself with how I look and happy being fit and healthy,” she said.
Her body-positive posts, including bikini snaps from her holidays, have gained a lot of positive attention, particularly from other women who appreciate her confidence and authenticity. Rebecca expressed how much it means to her to receive compliments and supportive messages, especially from other women, reinforcing the positive impact she’s having on her audience. “I’ve had a lot of really lovely responses — mainly from women,” she added.

A New Friendship for Manpreet in Emmerdale
While Rebecca’s real-life journey towards body confidence is something she proudly shares with her fans, her character on Emmerdale, Manpreet Sharma, has also undergone personal growth. Recently, viewers have watched Manpreet develop a new friendship with Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly), which has led to some unexpected and emotional moments. The two women recently spent the night in a police cell after a confrontation involving Manpreet’s past affair with Ross Barton (Michael Parr), which had deep consequences for Ruby’s family.

As Emmerdale continues to explore new dynamics in Manpreet’s life, Rebecca’s portrayal of the character reflects her own evolving sense of confidence and strength. Just like Manpreet, Rebecca has come a long way in embracing who she is and sharing her journey with her fans.
Fans Applaud Her Confidence
Rebecca’s body-positive posts have earned her over 72,000 followers on Instagram, many of whom regularly engage with her content. Her posts serve as an inspiration to others who may struggle with body image and self-confidence. By showing off her fit physique and sharing her personal experiences, Rebecca encourages others to embrace their bodies and be proud of who they are.
From her on-screen transformation in Emmerdale to her real-life journey toward body positivity, Rebecca Sarker proves that confidence is key — and she’s never been more ready to share that confidence with the world.