It’s been seven years since Gemma Atkinson took part in Strictly Come Dancing, and her life changed well beyond just learning to dance.
It was while she was competing with Aljaž Škorjanec that Hollyoaks star Gemma was introduced to Spanish dancer Gorka Marquez. In the years that followed, Manchester model Gemma, 39, and Gorka, 34, got engaged, and welcomed two children together, Mia, five, and Thiago, one.
And while this year’s competition required Gorka to temporarily relocate to Scotland to rehearse with TV doctor Punam Krishan, the couple are as loved-up as ever.
Closer caught up with Gemma to talk long-distance love, marriage plans and celebrating the big 4-0.
Hi Gemma! Strictly introduced you to your future fiancé and father of your children; you must be so thankful for the show.
I mean, it’s changed the course of my life. I went into it as a job and I came out of it with a fiancé and two amazing kids, so I’m really grateful. It’s also lovely that I get to relive it every year, and still be a part of it.
Do you find it hard having to be long-distance when the show’s on?
Not really, because I think we’re used to it now. We’ve done it for seven years, but I say to Gorka, ‘There are army wives who do a lot longer!’ Ten weeks is nothing.
You’re turning 40 this month – how will you celebrate?
I’m going to have a big party in Manchester – all the Strictly crew will be there, all the old Hollyoaks lot, and my friends and family. I’m excited because I always say, ‘Go big or go home.’ If you’re not ageing, the alternative is being dead!
Have you dropped any hints to Gorka about what you want for your 40th?
I don’t need anything, but he has asked me a few times. I want a German Shepherd.
40 is a scary age to some people. Is there anything you wish you could have done differently?
No, I wouldn’t do anything differently. For me, it’s just another birthday, but I’ll celebrate it massively. I celebrate every birthday. Gorka takes the mick out of me because he doesn’t celebrate birthdays. I remember I said, ‘I’m turning 38 – I’m having a party,’ and he said, ‘Nice.’ I told him, ‘Just go with it.’ I love it!
Gorka popped the question nearly four years ago – do you have any plans to get married, or are you happy as you are?
It feels like we’ve been engaged for ages now. We did say we’ll do it, and then I fell pregnant with Thiago. Maybe next year. We’re not in any rush because it’s so nice how it is. I had a look at a few registry offices, and I said, ‘Let’s go and do it ourselves,’ because I’m not really fussed about a big party.
Would you be happy without a big white wedding, then?
Yes. It’s like a legal paper, isn’t it, really? It doesn’t need a big fuss.
And weddings are so expensive nowadays…
There is that as well!
You spent some of last Christmas in Gorka’s native Spain. Will you be doing the same this year?
We’re spending it at my mum’s this year and then we try to go to Bilbao in Spain between Christmas and New Year, just to see his family and take the kids over. We like to do a bit of both.
Have your children been improving on their Spanish?
Yes! Mia is not fluent yet, and it's a bit annoying because her school teaches German and French, and obviously she needs to do Spanish. She speaks to Gorka’s parents in Spanish, but Thiago is not talking yet.
Has Mia started dancing?
She does dance lessons on a Monday, swimming at the weekend, and she wants to do football and gymnastics. However, I said to her, ‘Well, you need to pick one. You can’t do everything, especially when your brother wants to start doing things.’ They’ve already got the natural rhythm, and they’ve got the musicality – they love dancing.
How would you feel if your kids wanted to follow you into the showbiz world?
I would be nervous about anything they do, because they won’t be with me anymore, but whatever road they want to go down, I’ll support them.
Any plans for baby number three?
No! The shop is closed! I think it’s lovely because we’ve got a little boy and a little girl. My sister has got three and it’s a lovely dynamic, but with Gorka working away a lot and me being on my own with three, I just wouldn’t be able to cope. It would be a nightmare! We’re really lucky as we are.