Struggled with anorexia during her teens. Her mother was awarded an MBE for her role in setting up the eating disorder charity 'SEED'.
Prior to becoming an actress, Oaten worked as a chambermaid, a cleaner and as a shop assistant.
Her Emmerdale Farm (1972) character Rachel Breckle became the 26th woman on the soap opera to give birth. Rachel had a son Archie (played by an unknown baby), born on 13 December 2012.