Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Gemma Atkinson recently revealed that she firmly declined when her partner Gorka Marquez asked her if she wished they had been paired together during their time on the show. Gemma, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, first met Gorka when she participated in Strictly back in 2017.
Although they didn’t dance together on the BBC series, with Gemma reaching the final alongside Aljaz Skorjanec and Gorka as a runner-up with Alexandra Burke, the couple did perform on a Christmas special episode. During their podcast Lost in Translation, Gemma, 40, bluntly expressed that she had no desire to have been paired with Gorka from the beginning, emphasizing that their experience on the show was sufficient.
Gemma shared that being trained by Gorka was challenging as she didn’t appreciate being told what to do, especially in terms of dance steps. The couple, who have two children together, daughter Mia and son Thiago, have a strong bond despite their differing perspectives on certain aspects of their relationship.
Gorka, a Spanish dancer, has achieved second place multiple times on Strictly Come Dancing with various celebrity partners, including Alexandra Burke, Maisie Smith, and Helen Skelton. Due to his commitments on the Spanish show Bailando con las Estrellas, Gorka did not have a celebrity partner in the latest series.
During their podcast, Gorka, 35, praised Gemma for her incredible ability to manage their household effectively while he is away for work. He expressed admiration for her accomplishments and dedication, highlighting her success in balancing various responsibilities with grace. However, Gemma jokingly reminded him that his work, although important, is not as critical as saving lives, indicating her feelings about his frequent absence from home.
Fans can catch Strictly Come Dancing: The Results on BBC One this evening from 7.15pm to 8pm.