Gemma: “Being at home with Gorka and our little girl is just bliss!”
The newly-engaged actress and Strictly star tells Closer why she’ll cherish the lockdown days with her family forever – and how motherhood has helped her care less about online trolls
Viewers’ hearts melted in 2018 when Strictly Come Dancing stars Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez revealed they were dating – and two and a half years and a baby girl later, the pair have announced they’re engaged.
Former Hollyoaks actress Gemma, 36, posted the happy news on Instagram – writing, alongside a pic of herself showing off her ring while on a walk with Gorka, “Valentine’s forever... Of course I said yes.”
Gemma began dating Gorka, 30, after they both competed in the 2017 series of Strictly
– while they weren’t partnered together they were both single at the time and really hit it off. And their relationship has gone from strength to strength, with the couple welcoming daughter Mia in July 2019. With the UK in yet another lockdown, Gemma now says that, while she’s aware of the pressures it has brought to so many, she’s trying to look on the bright side of having spent more time with her family.
She says, “I know how stressful lockdown has been for so many people, but I’ve honestly really enjoyed it. Gorka and I are always on the go, always out and about, and often he’s away for a few days at a time. So having this time where the only thing we have to do is look after our little girl and go on a dog walk or two, is just bliss.
“We will never again have time where we’re together all day every day. Whenever I feel frustrated that life has stopped and I can’t go out and do things, I just think about how, when all this is over, I’ll no doubt give anything to just be at home again.
“When Mia was just three days old, Gorka had to go away on tour. So he’s thrilled to have the time with Mia and I was thrilled that, because he was home, I could do things for myself – like work out and walk the dogs. Plus I’ve been cooking meals fresh, as opposed to the batch cooking that I’m used to. It’s been nice to have the help.”
Super-fit Gemma regularly shares her workouts with her followers on Instagram and has also released her fitness and nutrition guide The Ultimate Body Plan.
But, like many people in the public eye, Gemma has been the target of online trolls over the years, with them cruelly criticising her “thick legs” and “muscular frame”. She’s admitted in the past it used to affect her, but since having Mia, she now says she takes negative comments with a pinch of salt.
She says, “Being a mum has changed my outlook on life. I’m an adult now! It’s not about me any more – the decisions I make are no longer just about me, but they’re about Mia. I have a thicker skin now – motherhood puts things into perspective. Things I used to worry about don’t matter any more. It’s refreshing really – to be selfless and not selfish. Mia’s going to be relying on me. I just think in life I need to step up my game and be the best person I can be for her sake.”