Gemma Atkinson has spoken exclusively about her plans with fiancé Gorka Marquez following the bombshell news that he will not return to Strictly Come Dancing. The actress and radio presenter, 41, discussed motherhood, work-life balance, and how the couple juggle family life with their busy careers.
Family Life and Support System
Gemma, who first met Gorka, 35, in 2017 when she competed on the hit dance show, shares daughter Mia, six, and son Thiago, two, with the Spanish dancer. The family lives in Manchester, and Gemma emphasised the importance of their support network. "It really does take a village," she said. "My mum will do the school run if Gorka's away. When he's home and I'm at work till seven on the radio, he does the pick-up and does tea and bed and bath time. My sister's 15 minutes away, so we kind of just juggle everything."
Parenting Dynamics
Gemma admitted that becoming a parent has changed her outlook on work. "I turn a lot more stuff down now because it would involve being away from the kids, but that's the decision and sacrifice I made in wanting children," she explained. She also opened up about the challenges of motherhood, particularly when children are too young to communicate. "For me, the hardest part is when they're too young to tell you what's wrong with them," she said, recalling a scare when Mia had a rash that turned out to be from laundry detergent.
On parenting dynamics, Gemma noted a shift when Gorka is away. "When I'm on my own, I'm definitely a bad cop," she said. "And when he comes home, he's an overly good cop because he's not seen them for a while. But when we're both home full-time, he's actually the stricter one." Routine is key, especially when solo parenting. "It's quite a militant routine in terms of bedtime and wake-ups. They're in bed at eight o'clock every weeknight," she added.
Date Nights and Simple Joys
Family time is a priority, and date nights have become simpler. "A date night for us is genuinely just being home, away from everybody," Gemma said. "A movie, a nice meal, the kids at my sister's, taking the dog out for a walk. We love a brunch as well, which just shows how rock and roll we are these days." Reflecting on her past, she laughed, "The thought, now, of going to a nightclub or queuing for taxis in the cold, I just couldn't think of anything worse."
Career and Future Plans
Gemma shot to fame as a teenager on Hollyoaks and later appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! She said she would love to return to the jungle. "I'm nearly 42 now, so it was a long time ago. To go back in as a more mature woman, I'd love that," she said. She also commented on the new Strictly hosts, saying she has friends in the running and is excited for whoever gets the role.
Now focused on radio and her podcast Lost In Translation with Gorka, Gemma has built a career that fits around family life. Her approach to fitness has evolved. "Fitness in my thirties and forties has been so much easier as it's about training for longevity and life quality," she explained. "There's nothing quick-fix about it. It's small daily habits, moving your body, doing strength sessions and making good choices with nutrition, while still enjoying yourself."
Healthy Lifestyle Campaign
Gemma is partnering with Whitworths to promote balanced nutrition. "A lot of people think it's about restricting food or punishing yourself in the gym, but it's not," she said. "It's about adding nutrition and making sure you're getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs." She encourages simple swaps, like adding Whitworths' mixes to meals, to boost nutritional value without overhauling everything.
