Gemma Atkinson has opened up about meeting Gorka Marquez for the first time exactly two years ago! Actress Gemma, who gave birth to baby daughter Mia in July - has taken to Instagram to reveal that it was basically love at first sight for her and Gorka, who met at the Strictly Come Dancing launch in 2017.
Sharing a photo of herself entering the Strictly rehearsals for the first time, Gemma - who was runner-up on the show - wrote, 'Exactly 2 years ago today on our Strictly launch. Completely unaware that the coffee and chat id just had with a Gorgeous Spanish Dancer would lead to so much.'
Adding that she'd then spoken to her makeup artist about him, she wrote, 'I actually said to @cintalondon that evening at her house “so there’s this guy called Gorka” to which she replied “hold on a minute, let me get us a drink and some nibbles” 😂.' [sic]
Gorka, who will not be partnered with a celebrity this year but will still be part of the group dances, then commented on the post with, 'I LOVE YOU!!! PS: that 🍑 😍,' cheekily referencing Gemma's bum!
The couple, who welcomed baby Mia together in July, kept their relationship private whilst they were on the show, but went public after the Strictly Live tour had finished in 2018.
RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic
1 of 12Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...
2 of 12Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
3 of 12Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
4 of 12Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
5 of 12Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
6 of 12Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.
7 of 12Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!
8 of 12Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
9 of 12Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
10 of 12Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.
11 of 12Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.
12 of 12Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard
Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.
Gemma announced the birth of her daughter Mia on Instagram, writing, 'And just like that, we’re a three! Our beautiful baby daughter arrived on Thursday 4th July and myself and Gorks couldn’t be happier 💗💗💗
'Shes incredible and she certainly made an entrance, giving us all quite a fright at times! Little Miss independent already! Thank you SO much to the Midwives, nurses & doctors at The Royal Bolton Hospital who did the most incredible job taking care of myself and my baby.
'You’re all so wonderful and I’m so grateful to have had you all with me and to have been under your care these past 4 days 🙏 Back home now for family time and to introduce little lady to her big brothers Norman & Ollie.... Let the next life chapter begin @gorka_marquez 🤱🐶🐶❤️.'
Congratulations!
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