Symons's mother remarried when she was just four years old and Symons did not see her biological, English father again until ten years later. She left school before finishing her exams and launched herself into the acting world. For nearly a year, she worked in shops before getting a break in a post office training video. Her first major television role was in Australian soap opera
Richmond Hill. After
Richmond Hill, Symons auditioned for another Australian drama,
Home and Away, for which she won the role of
Marilyn Chambers whom she played from 1989 until 1992, reprising the role in 1995 until 1999—with a brief appearance in 2001. She also co-hosted the
Channel 7 music programme
Video Smash Hits with Michael Horrocks from 1990 until 1991. After starring in a string of pantomimes in England, Symons decided to move there. She played the role of barmaid
Louise Appleton in the
ITV1 soap opera
Emmerdale from 2001 to 2008. She earned a nomination for Most Popular Newcomer at the
8th National Television Awards. She was also a contestant in the 2007 series of
Dancing on Ice, but was voted out in the semi-final following a skate-off against
Duncan James. Symons returned to Australia in October 2008 to help take care of her mother who had cancer. In late 2009, Symons was approached about a return to
Home and Away as Marilyn, which she accepted. She reprised the role in episode 5035 which aired on 19 March 2010. Symons celebrated 30 years with the show in 2019. In 2023, she received a nomination for the
Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her portrayal of Marilyn. ==Personal life==