UPDATE: Gemma Ward not retiring from modelling, just taking a break!

Fans of Gemma Ward can breathe a sigh of relief after rumours of her imminent retirement from the catwalk were put to rest yesterday, by the lady herself:

"I was surprised to wake up this morning and read news of my own retirement. While I am taking some time off currently to rest and enjoy the company of friends and family, I am still very much a (excited and enthusiastic) working model and actress. I'm only 20, for God's sakes."

To find out what she has been up to instead, read on...

Earlier this week, the blog-o-sphere was abuzz with whispers that the Aussie model was chucking in the modelling towel, to concentrate on a career in acting. While the record has now been set straight, her agency, IMG, did confirm that we won't be seeing Ward on the catwalks this season. She will be off the radar until the end of September, doing un-model-like things such as trekking around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal - seriously... read all about it here.

[Source]

Jael

I've always liked Gemma. I like her even more now that she's put on her grown woman weight.

JJ

I just think she's taken time out to mourn the death of Heath Ledger, who she was said to be dating at the time of his death. They spent his last Christmas together in Perth and he pressented her to family and friends as his girlfriend, then when he died from an accidental prescription drug overdose, her father Dr Gary Ward told the Australian press that she was really cut up about it but that at least she had made him really happy. Google 'Gemma Made Heath Really Happy'.