'Never knew she was your mum': Emily Atack's mother Kate Robbins shocks fans as she appears in After Life alongside Ricky Gervais

Emily Atack's mother Kate Robbins surprised fans when she made an appearance in Ricky Gervais' drama series After Life.

Celebrity Juice star Emily, 32, took to Instagram on Saturday and shared snaps of Kate, 63, on set as she told how 'proud' she is of her.

Kate starred as medium and erotic novelist Penny Spencer-Wright in the Netflix series with Emily sharing photos of her in front of a tent wearing mauve robes.

Kate also posed for a snap alongside the show's creator and writer Ricky. 

Alongside the post, she wrote: 'Proud isn't even the word. My mother playing Penny Spencer Wright in Afterlife, reminding everyone what an absolute comedy legend she is. 

'I remember the first time I ever saw her on stage in Edinburgh when I was about 9 years old, and someone came over to me and said, "your mum is one hell of a woman!" - I didn't really know what that meant then, I do now @katerobbins'.

Many fans said they didn't realise the pair were related, with one writing: 'I didn't realise this was your Mum, loved her character. The reading was so funny'.

Another said: 'I have watched it twice and didn’t even realise that was your mum'.

Another viewer added: 'Best thing I've seen in ages. I couldn't work out if she was your mum at first. Brilliant! She needs a spin off'. 

One fan wrote: 'She done a bloody good job too'. 

Kate has long had a career on stage and screen, previously representing the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 as part of the group Prima Donna, finishing in third.

She also appeared in the ITV soap Crossroads and later starred in The Ted and Kate Show alongside her real-life brother Ted before getting her own sketch show.

Kate, who is a first cousin once removed of Sir Paul McCartney, has also worked as a voice actress, most notably for nine years on puppet show Spitting Image.

Along with Emily, Kate is also mother to Martha, 29, and George, 28.