I love being on my own, I want another dog... not a new man
DALE’S GEMMA ON BEING
IN Emmerdale Marlon Dingle is making her tingle but in real life Gemma Atkinson is happier single.
The stunning, super- toned star’s relationship with her fitness trainer boyfriend has gone pear-shaped.
But the blonde beauty is staying strong and looking good. Away from Dale, she is starring in a Bollywood film. And off screen, Gemma, 31, confesses she would prefer to get another dog before a new man.
Gemma, who has dated footballers Marcus Bent and Cristiano Ronaldo, has spoken for the first time about the end of her two-year relationship with Olly Foster.
She said they remain good friends and he is still her trainer.
She said: “Sometimes there are people in your life and it’s just not working out the way you thought. We’ll always be in each other’s life but just as friends.
“We went on a road trip the other week together. Now I can’t get away with ditching sessions as he’s more strict with me. I’m happily single. I’ve got the dogs and lots going on professionally. It’s nice to be on my own for a bit. “I have not even thought about dating. I will give it a few months. I’m one of those people who like their own company. I don’t need anyone.” This week Emmerdale fans will see Gemma’s character’s Carly Hope snogging her best friend Marlon, played by Mark Charnock, , 48. But locking lip lips with ex-glamour model Gemm Gemma was nearly an unpleasant expe experience for Mark. She said: “I had this chilli chicken burge burger and Mark was eating a bag of c crisps. I said to him he’d be starving and asked why he wasn’t eating a proper meal meal. “H “He said: ‘Because I’m going to be kissin ing somebody this a afternoon.’ I said sorry and offered him some of my food. I made sure I had s ome chewing gum.” Despite winn ning rave reviews fo for her performance ini n Emmerdale, Gem Gemma is spreading
could.” Meanwhile Gemma has a battle to fight against those who try to shame her muscled frame by posting pictures of her with nasty comments on Twitter and Instagram. She said: “There’s a lot of pressure on all women to look the same, unlike men. “I’ve never understood how us women are too skinny, too big or too muscular. I had a guy say to me you look too manly. “I felt like saying to him ‘Well you look like a woman then because you haven’t got muscle.’ The bad thing is that it is mostly women writing articles about other women’s bodies. “If it suits me and I’m healthy and happy I don’t worry about what other people say.” Gemma admits she did not eat well when she was younger and her skin, hair, nails and sleep suffered. She said: “All the women in my family are big, strong Amazonian types. I love it, I think it’s great. If I had a daughter I’d want her to feel proud and powerful about her physique. “Mum had me at 32 and I’m 32 in November. I always thought it’d be a nice time to have a baby. I’m sure it’ll happen as and when.” Taking care of her body has helped Gemma, who broke into showbiz in 2001 as Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks, cope with long hours filming Emmerdale. She also survived 18 days in the jungle in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity in 2007. The Bury-born star said: “I have so much energy because of my nutrition and training. “Many people take energisers if they’re tired and it’s not about that. It’s about being in tune with your body. “I don’t need an alarm to wake at 6am. I’ve taken control of my body from the inside.” Yet despite being a pin-up, Gemma still cringes when she sees or hears herself on screen. She said: “I’ve got a deep voice, it’s even deeper on TV. Sometimes I’ll hear myself talking and think: ‘Gosh, is that really me?’” The positive fan reaction to Carly and Woolpack chef Marlon hooking up could even see Gemma’s character extending her stay even further.