Love on the dancefloor for Gemma?
LOVE lives of the Strictly Come Dancing contestants are already under the spotlight amid rumours that actress Gemma Atkinson has grown close to professional dancer Gorka Marquez.
The 32-year-old Emmerdale star was the only celebrity contestant invited to Gorka’s birthday meal.
Sources claim that Gemma and Spanish-born Gorka, 27 – who has been partnered with pop star Alexandra Burke– were heard exchanging fitness tips.
One source said: “Everyone can see there’s an attraction.”
Gemma – who is partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec for the new series – has dated footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs in the past. Gorka split from his fiancée Lauren Sheridan in December.
But Gemma has admitted she is open to finding love in the ballroom. Brushing off fears of the Strictly curse, she said: “I’ve been single for ages, so there wouldn’t be any curse for me.”
Strictly’s so-called curse has seen marriages and relationships fail when stars fall for their dance partners. But some spouses are relaxed. TV star Brian Conley said: “My wife can’t wait. She’s saying ‘I hope that bloomin’ curse kicks in. It’s been 21 years, love.’”
TV chef Simon Rimmer laughed: “One of our friends said, ‘Are you not worried about it?’ My wife Ali said, ‘A really fit young beautiful dancer is going to be tempted by my lumbering, 54-year-old husband who can’t dance’? So, she’s not worried.”