Gemma: I’m all about dance... not romance

BY JANINE YAQOOB,

GEMMA Atkinson has hit back at reports she is dating Strictly’s Gorka Marquez, insisting she is focused solely on the dancing.

Appearing to shoot down claims she has found romance with the 27-year-old Spanish pro, the ex-Emmerdale actress said: “I’ve had to talk about who I’m dating for 15 years.

“I’m used to it. It’s nice to find out on telly or in the papers who I’m dating. There have been so many things said about all of us. We’re all so focused we haven’t really time to pay attention to anything said outside.”

Working hard to perfect her moves, gym fanatic Gemma, 32, says she is the only celeb not to lose weight on the BBC show.

She admitted: “All I do all day is eat. I’m so hungry because of the exercise, so I’m eating a lot more than usual. I like to think I’m a lot fitter cardio-wise because I’m doing eight hours a day training.” For last night’s movie week, Gemma and partner Aljaz Skorjanec danced the Charleston to Jungle Book song The Bare Necessities.

And the soap star insisted she would rather be known for getting the steps right than looking sexy. She said: “Obviously a lot of people are saying, ‘Oh sexy outfits’.

“But I’d rather be in the papers for my dance steps and the choreography.” It was ironic Ruth and Anton danced to Diamonds Are Forever because she definitely needed more sparkle.

But the rumba is notoriously difficult and she looked fantastic

I could tell they were going for a classy routine rather than anything more sensual but Ruth really struggled. She didn’t respond to Anton’s hip action and there was so much dry ice I couldn’t see her feet.