Gemma Atkinson has shared why she thinks her fiancé Gorka Marquez could be paired up with her fellow Hits Radio star on Strictly Come Dancing. The line-up for the BBC One dance contest was finalised over the weekend as TV presenter Helen Skelton became the 15th and final celebrity to be announced.
Also among the famous faces ready to put on their dancing shoes this autumn for the hit show's 20th series is Fleur East. In a statement about being in the line-up for Strictly, the singer and TV and radio presenter said: "I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up.
"I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience. It’s such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my Father who loved it so much." She added: "Unfortunately, my Dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit. I’m doing this to make him and my family proud and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!"
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing warned about 'wild' Helen Skelton as she accidentally 'reveals' partner
And one of the first people she could speak to about her latest gig was Gemma who is engaged to Gorka, who is a pro dancer on the show, and she took part herself in 2017 where she made it to the final with Aljaž Škorjanec. The pair, who both hosts show on Hits Radio from Manchester, were speaking during Gemma and co-host Mike Toolan's weekday show when Gemma shared her reason why her man and Fleur could be one of the 2022 Strictly partnerships.
Mike asked: "Do you think there might be chance you might get Gorka?" to which former X Factor star Fleur replied: "Everyone has been saying this to me." Mike replied: "Wouldn't it be great? Keep it in the family. It would be nice wouldn't it?"
Fleur said: "It would be nice," before turning to Gemma and saying: "But selfishly not great for you because you want him [Gorka] in Manchester ALL the time." The 37-year-old, who shares daughter Mia with the Spanish dancer, replied: "Well not all the time," leading to Mike bursting out laughing.
"Two days a week max," Gemma then laughed. But Fleur said she is between London and Manchester meaning if she was paired with Gorka, he'd have to split his time between the north and the capital as well. "I was talking to Gorka this morning and he said: 'How tall is she?' and I said, 'I think she's around 5ft4/5ft 5 and he said, 'Okay, it's either me, Nikita or Neil.'"
Fleur said that was "good to know" before she detailed a bit more about how she believes the partners are chosen. "He thinks... because they go off height don't they. But of course, in heels you could go with the two-inch heels which puts you in the Graziano [Di Prima] height range."
Bury-born Gemma then revealed: "I asked for small heels because I was a nightmare. If I had been in two-inch heels I probably would have got Brendan [Cole] but I asked for a smaller heel and got Alijaz." Mike then chimed in: "So you didn't get Brendan?" and they all burst out laughing.
In another clip from Gemma and Mike's hit radio show posted on TikTok, the pair discussed Strictly and if Gemma gets jealous of her husband-to-be dancing with someone else. But as they planned the show's iconic song, Mike asked: "Do you ever get bored of the theme tune?" to which the former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star quickly replied: "Yes!"
He then said: "Gorka has been rehearsing for a couple of weeks now. Do you think he's going to get Marsh?" referring to former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh who is also lined up to take part this year. "Do you know what, if he did, if she's based in Manchester it'd be lovely because he'd get to come home in between rehearsals."
She then added: "That's all I really care about. I'm not bothered who he gets per say, I just go off location. Whoever he's announced with I go, 'Right, where are they based?' because then i can work out whether he can come home a few nights fot eh week, help with Mia." Gemma then went on: "Shelves need putting up, dogs need sorting... it's tough when he's away."
Mike the quizzed: "As a partner of a Strictly dancer, do you ever get jealous of who he gets?" She then replied: "No! Who's he going to leave me for?" She then quickly clarified: "I'm joking!" as they both again started laughing. "I didn't mean that," Gemma insisted.
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