Gemma Atkinson has revealed she would never date again if she and her fiancé, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez, ever split up. The actress opened up during a candid discussion on their podcast, Lost in Translation.
Couple's romance began on Strictly
The couple met while competing on the BBC dance contest in 2017. Although Gemma was paired with Aljaz Skorjanec and Gorka with singer Alexandra Burke, a romance sparked behind the scenes. As both pairings reached the final, rumours grew, and at the time she suggested they might start dating "once the series is over" – only to announce their relationship months later.
Now engaged and parents to daughter Mia, seven, and son Thiago, three, Gemma said she would not seek a new relationship if they ever split. Her comments followed Gorka's advice to his single friend, in which he claimed Manhattan was the best place to meet women. He then told Gemma: "So if you and I one time break up, hopefully not, but if you and I break up and you don’t know where I am, find me in Manhattan."
'I wouldn't have a relationship with anybody'
During the podcast discussion, Gemma replied: "I don’t think I'd date if we ever broke up. I’d occasionally pipe, but I wouldn’t have a relationship with anybody." She added: "The thought of having to get to know someone again and go for a first meal and the first time they see you naked."
When Gorka asked if that meant she was "just going to pipe random people," Gemma said: "I’m not going to pipe random people." The dancer went on: "Well, you say you don’t want to date. At least you have to have a couple of dates to pipe someone."
The actress replied: "No, every girl has the emergency pipe person," before insisting that her "emergency pipe" wouldn’t be an ex, because "they’re an ex for a reason." Adding: "I’m joking, would I hell go for an emergency pipe, can you imagine?"
Wedding plans on hold
Gemma then turned the question to him, asking her fiancé if he would "emergency pipe" her if she were his ex. She quizzed: "If me and you split up and you met someone else and you split up with them, would you come back to me?"
The Spanish native responded: "No, I mean it’s good with you, you know? I’d miss it. I might split up with you because I can’t cope with you and your mess, but I will miss that."
The couple, who got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2021, have yet to tie the knot after being delayed by several major life events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the births of their two children. Despite this, they have clarified on their podcast that they are completely content with their relationship as it is.
