Truth about Gorka, Alex & me..
IIt would be nice to spend time with people away from the show GEMMA ON HOPES OF DOING STRICTLY TOUR
f you believe the rumours, Gemma Atkinson and Alexandra Burke are sworn enemies as they battle for the attention of Gorka Marquez. Alex is said to be seething that Gorka, her pro partner on Strictly Come Dancing, is getting distracted from steering her towards the final due to his attraction to fellow contestant Gemma.
But the former Emmerdale star laughs at the suggestion Alexandra is at her throat. She says: “I think people love to hear that contestants or pros are falling out because they love a little bit of drama. But unfortunately there isn’t any.
“There’s no animosity between anyone. We all message each other in the week on WhatsApp and send each other funny pictures and videos.”
But what about when they meet up on Friday and Saturday nights at the TV studio in Hertfordshire? “We’re all so focused on our dances that we haven’t got time to fall out. Gorka’s priority on the show is getting Alexandra through week by week, the same thing Aljaz has.
“My focus is pleasing Aljaz, it’s the same for every couple.”
That is not to say a fine little romance with the 27-year-old Spaniard is not on the cards. The pair, who train in cities 200 miles apart, just need to have a bit more time on their hands.
Last month Gemma, 32, said the only thing she and Gorka had shared was a recipe for guacamole. Now, she coyly admits that she does rather like him.
“I think he’s absolutely brilliant and we are getting to know each other, but for now the main focus is dancing.” Once the show ends? “We’ll see,” she laughs.
They could be afforded an excellent opportunity for quality time together if they sign up for the Strictly tour after Christmas. “I’d love to do it,” Gemma says. “No one’s been asked yet but hopefully I could make it work, if the dates didn’t clash with my radio gig. All the pros say it’s great because it’s the same amount of fun with no pressure.
“Plus we’re all together all of the time, for three weeks. It would be nice to spend time with people away from the serious show.” Wink wink, nudge nudge.
Speaking to Gemma as she prepares for her salsa in tonight’s show, it is clear she is having the time of her life.
Despite getting up at 4.30am to do her Key 103 radio show in Manchester every day, before training with 27-year-old Slovenian Aljaz Skorjanec for up to eight hours, she’s buzzing. “It’s full on and it’s hard, but it’s one of the best things I’ve done,” she says. “From rehearsals to the dress runs to the live show and drinks in the tent afterwards, I’m loving it.”
Part of the fun is training with Strictly favourite Aljaz, married to fellow pro Janette Manrara. “Aljaz really is a lovely guy, one of the kindest and most friendly people,” Gemma says. “Every single day I’ve trained with him I’ve belly laughed.”
Interestingly, she claims to have rather more belly to laugh with since training started 10 weeks ago. Having been such a gym bunny before Strictly, she says: “Because I’ve not done any weight training my body’s changed, it feels a lot softer. I still feel fit, because we’re doing a lot of cardio, but in all honestly I’ve not been eating the way I should.” She reckons all the hours of practising have sent her appetite through the roof.
“I’m eating things that I wouldn’t normally eat; bread, chocolate, Haribos.
“I’ve probably gained weight since doing Strictly. I’m enjoying the new rolls for winter.” Gemma, who first found fame on Hollyoaks, was inspired to stay fit after losing her father David when she was 17. The Scot, 52, had a heart attack.
In her early 20s she was a favourite of the lads’ mags, but these days Gemma has swapped glamour shoots for fitness ones. She says: “I stopped doing the
mags 10 years ago and was glad to get out while it was at its peak.” She says promoting a positive body image is important. “I’m 5ft 9in and I’ve got broad shoulders. I’m never going to be a petite size eight. “But I can be strong and fit and healthy, so if I was any sort of role model I’d like to inspire young girls to be the best version of themselves they can.” Gemma has just signed up for another year of breakfast radio on Key 103 but does not rule out a return to Emmerdale, where she played Carly Hope for two years. “I love the show and all the people on it,” she says. “I left in March and it’s been left open, so I’d love to pop back.” Also on her wish-list is TV presenting. An avid animal lover – she is heavily involved with Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Ramsbottom, Bury – Gemma would love to get involved with wildlife documentaries. But for now she needs to be thinking about that glitterball prize, although Aljaz tells her not to. She says: “That’s one thing Aljaz says – don’t look ahead to anything past Saturday.”
She’s already thanked him for all his hard work. Aljaz is a huge Manchester United fan, so Gemma introduced him to her pal Ryan Giggs. “We a went with some of my old schoolfriends to George’s Restaurant, which is Ryan’s. Aljaz said it was like meeting a legend. I’ve known Ryan for about 15 years now. We had mutual friends, I never dated him.”
Strictly’s harshest judge Craig Revel Horwood has picked out Gemma as one of the contenders to lift the trophy.
But she has been brought to tears by the show. “It was after our first dance, the cha cha. I was petrified but afterwards Aljaz said, ‘Congratulations, you just opened Strictly Come Dancing 2017’, and I was so chuffed. I’ll remember that moment for ever.” Unless it gets trumped by a glitterball win, of course.
Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1, tonight at 6.50pm.