Gemma Atkinson has thanked well-wishers for their messages after announcing that she's expecting her second child with fiance Gorka Marquez. Former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress Gemma, who welcomed a daughter Mia with Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka in July 2019, told fans in a joyous Instagram post that the couple are having a baby boy, due later this year.
Taking to Instagram Stories, a smiling Gemma, 38, said she feels "very, very lucky." She said: "Thank you everyone for your lovely messages and well wishes. It's lovely. Number two. Number two, and a little boy. Crikey, a little boy. So lucky. Very, very lucky."
The doting mum, who met Gorka, 32, when she was a finalist on the BBC One dance contest Strictly in 2017, joked that she's "prepared for chaos." "My sister's got two lads and a girl so fully prepared for the chaos," she said. "Cannot wait, bring it on."
READ MORE:
Gemma, from Bury, went on to reveal when she found out about her pregnancy and keeping the news quiet until they were ready to announce. She explained that Hey Baby 4D pregnancy scanning clinic in Radcliffe helped by opening early for them.
She said: "Gorka was still doing Strictly when we found out. We went for scans and I had to make that cringey phone call 'my fella is currently working on a massive show and we don't know if we're okay.' They opened up early for us to go in."
She said in a written post about the clinic: "They were so wonderful in keeping our news quiet throughout our early scans. With Gorka still working on Strictly at the time I was cautious about being seen at a scan appointment until we knew we were ok, becuse when the show's on people stop him everywhere (mums will relate, the worry never goes away when carrying!)"
Posting on Instagram on Saturday morning (January 21), Gemma shared a black and white picture of herself caressing her blooming bump as she shared her pregnancy news. She wrote: "Impossible to hide my belly any longer. I’ve officially “popped.” Our baby boy will be joining our family later this year."
She added: "We feel so incredibly blessed and Grateful to be on this journey again. Mia is absolutely thrilled! Although we may need to do some negotiating on names, as so far she’s adamant he’s going to be called Barbie."
READ NEXT:
Corrie star Georgia Taylor "so fit" as she shows off "gorgeous" new hairstyle
- Brooke Vincent 'crying' as she shares parenting struggle with two sons
Love Island winner reveals 'secret' pregnancy with twins shared with Premier League footballer
- BBC EastEnders fans left emotional as they witness Shirley Carter star burst into tears after being serenaded
