Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Gemma Atkinson recently revealed that she firmly rejected the idea of being paired with her partner Gorka Marquez from the beginning of their time on the show. The actress, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, crossed paths with the professional dancer during her stint on Strictly in 2017.
Despite appearing on the same BBC show, Gemma and Gorka were not dance partners. Gemma made it to the final with Aljaz Skorjanec while Gorka was a runner-up alongside singer Alexandra Burke. In a podcast called Lost in Translation, a listener asked Gemma if she wished they had been paired from the start, to which she bluntly replied with a resounding “No.”
Gorka chimed in, mentioning their experience dancing together on a Christmas special as sufficient. Gemma expressed her dissatisfaction with Gorka’s training approach, emphasizing her aversion to being instructed by the dancer. She shared that she preferred things done her way rather than following strict dance routines.
The couple, who share two children, daughter Mia and son Thiago, discussed their dynamic on the podcast. Gorka, a seasoned runner-up on Strictly, praised Gemma’s ability to manage their household efficiently while he travels for work commitments. Gemma, however, seemed unimpressed with the extended time Gorka spends away from home, jokingly reminding him that his work is not akin to performing heart surgery.
Fans can catch the latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing: The Results this evening on BBC One.