Former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson has publicly addressed and dismissed swirling pregnancy rumours, insisting she would be in a "massive panic" if she were expecting a third baby. The 41-year-old star, who shares two young children with her partner, Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez, 35, laughed off the speculation during her Hits Radio show.
Radio Show Laughter Over False Claims
Speaking on air with co-host Mike Toolan, Gemma responded to his joking disappointment that she hadn't told him first about any pregnancy news. With humour and clarity, she set the record straight: "I'd love to say, in fact I wouldn't love to say I was pregnant as I'd be in a massive panic! Imagine a six-year-old, a two-year-old, a puppy and a pregnancy. It's not true, can you imagine!"
She continued emphatically, "I keep seeing this and people keep messaging me but I'm not with child. I can hand on heart say I'm not with child..." The actress shares daughter Mia, six, and son Thiago, three, with her dancer partner Gorka, describing the chaotic yet joyful reality of their current family life.
Instagram Story Sets the Record Straight
The rumours appear to have originated from a fake social media post, which Gemma shared a screenshot of to her Instagram Story. Adding a touch of ironic humour, she captioned it: "Ironically, I'm sat reading my pregnancy news whilst on day 4 of a mammoth period." This direct approach aimed to quash the speculation at its source.
A Love Story Forged on Strictly
Gemma and Gorka's relationship began when they met as co-stars on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, despite not being paired as dance partners on the show. Their romance blossomed, leading to a public dating announcement in 2018 and an engagement in February 2021. However, wedding plans have been deliberately postponed.
Wedding Plans on Hold for Family Reasons
The couple have expressed a desire to wait until their son Thiago is older before officially tying the knot, wanting him to play a meaningful role in their special day. Gemma revealed to the Daily Express, "We've toyed about doing it in Spain, so his family can come, and we've even thought about doing it in a registry office or a hotel in Manchester, just the two of us, and then have a big party after."
She elaborated, "But I think now we want to wait until Thiago is a bit older, so maybe next year or the year after, as he's only two. If he's a bit older, he could be involved in it, which would be really nice." This family-first approach highlights their priorities amidst busy careers.
Navigating Busy Schedules and Challenges
Back in 2022, Gemma disclosed that wedding plans were postponed due to both partners' hectic schedules, even mentioning she'd rather try for another baby than organise lavish nuptials. She told New magazine, "Gorka is literally on tour all of this year. We've only got four days off together. He's got the two Strictly tours back to back, and then he'll be going on Strictly in the autumn. We don't even have a minute to sit down and begin making plans!"
The couple have faced their share of challenges, including a "rough patch" in 2023 when Gorka couldn't return home during the final six weeks of Strictly Come Dancing, despite being voted out in week three. Recently, Gorka's career has taken a new turn as he signed up as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly, Bailando con las Estrellas, which will require significant time filming in Madrid.
Through it all, Gemma's firm denial of pregnancy rumours underscores her focus on managing their current family dynamic, with no immediate plans to expand it further amidst their professional commitments and personal joys.
