She has taken part in several celebrity-based reality television shows, and, in June 2007, she became a panellist for ITV's topical chatshow Loose Women.

[5] She first became publicly known when she appeared in the children's BBC television programme Grange Hill in 1988 and 1989 as Fiona Wilson, who was most notably part of a rap duo named Fresh 'n' Fly.

[6] Gayle later appeared as an extra in TV Drama London's Burning and in the Children's ITV television programme Press Gang in 1990 as a background member of the news team, and that same year she won the role of Hattie Tavernier in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders.

[7] Gayle's character remained in the show for three years as Ian Beale's PA and was featured in an array of storylines including being abandoned by her fiancé Steve Elliot (Mark Monero) and suffering a miscarriage as a result.

The film tells the story of a German boy who is orphaned in World War II and then groomed as a KGB sleeper.

Gayle starred in Jason Barrett's British feature film The Naked Poet as character Joanne, which was screened in London's Mayfair Hotel December 2011.

In March 2018, she began playing the role of as Alison in the musical Son of a Preacher Man, which is based on the life of Dusty Springfield.

Gayle was a contestant on ITV's reality-television show Reborn in the USA, competing against artists such as Elkie Brooks, Sonia, Gina G, Leee John and Tony Hadley.

In 2004, Gayle presented the UMA Awards with ex-EastEnder Gary Beadle,[11] and in 2005, she appeared as a celebrity mentor on the Five documentary Pushy Parents.

[13] Gayle and partner Harry Maule reached the semi-finals, but were beaten in the dance-off by Diana Morgan-Hill and Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.

Before she gained commercial success, Gayle sang with a rap duo called R-MOR-FUS, performing gigs at various clubs and low-key venues.

Gayle had further chart success in 1994 with the number-26 hit "I'll Find You"; in 1995 with the number-16 "Freedom"; and the number-11 "Happy Just to Be with You" which sampled The Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and Chic's "Good Times".

Gayle also appeared on the Childliners charity record "The Gift of Christmas" in 1995, alongside acts such as Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, E.Y.C., Sean Maguire, Deuce, Ultimate Kaos, Let Loose, East 17, Peter Andre, MN8, Dannii Minogue and many more.

Gayle co-wrote her song, "Woo (U Make Me)", with Rashelle Davies and Morten Schjolin, and described it as "pop in essence, but with a very cool 60's vibe to it".

In June 2023 Gayle made a surprise appearance on stage at singer Louise's concert at the Shepherd's Bush Empire to perform "Sweetness".

Gayle is godmother to the daughter of the actress Jacqui Gordon-Lawrence, who played her on-screen mother, Etta Tavernier, in EastEnders.