Gemma Atkinson has shared her plans for a 'laid-back' wedding as she and her Strictly Come Dancing star fiancé Gorka Marquez near their fifth anniversary. The loved-up couple met in 2017 when Bury-born Gemma signed up for the BBC One dance contest.
While the former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star wasn’t partnered with the Spanish professional dancer, she instead made it all the way to the final with the show's former pro dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, love blossomed behind-the-scenes for the pair. They confirmed their relationship the following year, following the end of the Strictly live tour which took in arenas across the country.
They then welcomed their first child together, daughter Mia, and on Valentine’s Day last year, Gorka got down on one knee and proposed to Gemma, who said a big 'yes!' But the wedding planning hasn't taken shape just yet with both Gemma and Gorka keeping busy with their work projects and looking after three-year-old Mia.
"There have been a few times now where we’ve driven past a registry office and said, ‘Shall we just go in and do it? Yeah, let’s do it!’" Gemma, 37 told OK! Magazine. "We’ve not planned anything other than we know we want it really small and really intimate.
"We’ve agreed on just close family, a handful of friends, and a big party a week or so after. It’s just finding the time really. We’ve had lots of people saying, ‘You clearly don’t want to get married if you haven’t done it yet!' But I think it’s because we’re so happy with how it is."
Earlier this year, Gemma spoke to the Manchester Evening News after reports suggested she and Gorka, 34, had postponed their nuptuials. "Gorka’s family are in Spain and the Spanish lockdown rules are quite strict at the minute and we want all of his family to be able to come," the Hits Radio host told us. "So we are umming and ahing with doing it in Spain or doing it in Manchester so we’re thinking maybe next July. We’re just not sure over here or in Spain yet.
"We’re just waiting to see what works best for all his family. None of them speak English so I at least want them to be able to order a drink which they won’t be able to do. They’re from Bilboa and we’ve not been over a lot really."
Gorka is currently is to-ing and fro-ing between Manchester, Leeds and London with his hectic schedule on Strictly as he continues in the competition with Helen Skelton while Gemma is holding the fort at home. "I’m always aware that from this time until Christmas I need to be full-on with Mia because Gorka’s away," she added to OK!
"Since we got together, he’s always been on his tours and I have my work. Because it’s always been that way, we’re used to it," she continues. "We always say how lucky we are to have each other, because if Gorka was with someone or I was with someone who was needy and couldn’t cope alone, it wouldn’t work.
"It’s not possible with our jobs. During lockdown we did nearly four months away from each other. He was in London, locked with the Strictly bubble and I was up north. We just thought, 'It is what it is.' I think it’s nice because it keeps you missing them and we always, always have something to talk about because we’ve been doing our own thing."
Gemma has been showing her support for her man and his new dance partner on social media since the 20th series of Strictly started last month. And it appears the mum-of-one is getting along well with Countryfile host Helen. "We’ve FaceTimed a few times," Gemma said. "It’s been absolutely lovely. I know they are getting on so, so well in rehearsals."
Earlier this week, Gorka had his fans gushing as he shared a video dancing with his wife-to-be in their home gym. "When she asks me to teach her the Vienesse Waltz at 6am," Gorka captioned a video to his thousands of followers. "Why?? @glouiseatkinson," he added in his caption over her request.
During the sweet clip, Gemma looked at the camera and admitted: "Helen, I don't know how you do this," before adding: "I'm frustrated with him already." As her partner gave instructions, Gemma said: "I can't," as she smiled and giggled away around the room in her man's arms.
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