Bury star Gemma Atkinson has told fans she is 'blown away' after her and Gorka Marquez's joint career venture was given a major boost, and will see them go up against her fellow Manchester stars.
Fans may recall that the couple, who met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, with romance blossoming the following year, joined forces for their first-ever podcast last year, called Lost in Translation.
At the time it was announced, it was said that the original Rayo Podcast would explore the couple's day-to-day life, juggling their busy schedules alongside parenting their two young children.
Podcast nominated for Listeners' Choice Award
Almost a year on, and the podcast has quickly proven to be a hit, and ahead of celebrating 12 months since the podcast's launch, Gemma and Gorka have been shortlisted for the Listeners' Choice Award at the 2026 British Podcast Awards.
According to the British Podcast Awards, "as the only award decided entirely by listeners, the Listeners' Choice Award puts podcast fans at the heart of the awards. The Top 20 represents the UK's most-loved podcasts and, for the first time, is featured within Spotify's app."
The 20-strong shortlist will see Gemma, and her dancer beau, go up against fellow Manc stars Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas, with their podcast 'At Home with the Thomas Bros'. Other shortlisted podcasts include Dish from Waitrose with Nick Grimshaw & Angela Hartnett, Hanging Out With Ant & Dec, Olivia's House with Olivia Attwood and Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware.
Couple share video plea for votes
Ahead of voting closing on August 28, Gemma and Gorka shared a video plea for votes. In it, Gemma said: "Not only were we nominated for the podcast award, we were shortlisted because you all voted, so thank you so, so much. We now just need to be short, short, short-listed and win. We're not even a year old yet, are we? The whole team was blown away, so thank you."
Gorka continued: "So, now, we need to keep it up. You guys keep voting, you know?" He later added: "Tell your mum, your dad, your sister, your auntie, your grandma, your neighbour, your friends, and everybody to vote!"
