Gemma Atkinson has headed to the seaside with daughter Mia to support fiance Gorka Marquez as he hits the dancefloor with celeb dance partner Helen Skelton. As Strictly Come Dancing arrived up north for a weekend at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Gemma and her family posed for a sweet group snap with Helen and her children.
Gemma, 38, Gorka, 32, and three-year-old Mia beamed for the camera with former Blue Peter presenter Helen, 39, and her sons Ernie, seven, and Louis, five, and baby Elsie Kate. Hits Radio presenter Gemma posted the picture on her Instagram Stories with the words: "Attempt 14 and we're all (almost) looking at the camera."
The former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress added supportively: "Smash that quickstep tonight guys." The presenter is currently balancing her training for the BBC One dance contest with being a mum to three children.
READ MORE:
Helen announced back in April that her eight-year marriage to the Leeds Rhinos rugby player Richie Myler had ended. The announcement came just four months after she gave birth to their third child. Helen and Richie welcomed their baby daughter Elsie Kate on December 28.
Helen recently revealed that she had quit her family home in Leeds to move back in with her parents on their farm in the Lake District. It means her mum and dad can help take care of her three young kids while she tackles her work commitments on Strictly and ITV's Lorraine, where she has joined a brand new 'Me Time' campaign.
In an Instagram post shortly after her Strictly debut back in September, Helen said: "To all the families holding down the fort behind the scenes…. We are grateful. Pretty sure I will owe my parents Christmas in the Caribbean by time this is over."
And Gemma, from Bury, is full of praise for Gorka's Carlisle-born Strictly partner. "She's so lovely," she told the Manchester Evening News ahead of their stint in Blackpool. "She's northern she she gets a big tick from me."
Gorka has won hearts with his encouragement for Helen as her confidence has grown during her time on Strictly, and Gemma couldn't be more proud of her partner of four years.
"He says at the bottom of it I want Helen to enjoy herself," she told us. "He loves the teaching process and it's amazing how far they have progressed."
Gorka looked delighted to be reunited with his girls at the seaside resort. The Spanish dancer took to Instagram with a picture of himself with Gemma and Mia outside the Blackpool Tower. "The Girls came to Blackpool," he said alongside the adorable amily snap.
On Friday (November 18), Mia's dream came true as she watched rehearsals for the show, and she got to meet Will Mellor on the dancefloor. "Mia's dream came true," proud mum Gemma typed alongside the adorable snap of the pair.
She added: "In reality, I’m bringing my daughter Mia to meet Will Mellor because that’s all she wants to do.." Gemma went on: "I’m not sure why, because he’s never met him before, but he did a dance earlier in the series when he looked down the barrel of the camera and she just turned to me and said 'It’s made me giddy.'"
READ NEXT:
- ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers get the 'ick' as they make same remarks over scenes just before exit announcement
- ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers 'sick' as they make Owen Warner observation minutes into first elimination episode
- ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers say public has 'no taste' as Charlene White is first to leave the jungle
- ITV I'm A Celebrity's Charlene White finally gives reason for RV refusal and tells Loose Women secret
- ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers concerned for Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver after spotting detail as husband speaks out
