Gemma Atkinson recently shared a humorous yet embarrassing moment involving her partner Gorka Marquez during their early relationship. The couple, who met on the dance competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, have since built a life together, becoming parents to two children.
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez: A Love Story
Gemma, 41, and Gorka, 35, first crossed paths while competing on Strictly Come Dancing. Gemma was partnered with dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, finishing as a runner-up alongside Gorka, who danced with Alexandra Burke. Their chemistry blossomed into a romantic relationship, confirmed a year later.
Memorable Holiday Incident
During a holiday in Tenerife, an incident left Gemma feeling “mortified.” Reminiscing about their first vacation together on their Lost in Translation podcast, she recounted how unflattering paparazzi photos of the couple emerged. Gemma stated, “Those horrible pap pictures came out and I was mortified.”
Gorka humorously reflected on the situation. While enjoying their beach day, he jokingly squirted suncream on Gemma, which led to the candid photos being taken. He explained, “I was making a joke, instead of doing the suncream, I squeezed the bottle all over her.”
Paparazzi Chase Revealed
The couple learned that their privacy had been compromised. A paparazzi photographer revealed that an airline had notified the agency about their flight, allowing them to follow the couple from the airport to their hotel. Gemma remarked, “We booked this so privately… they got on the same flight and trailed us.”
- Gemma Atkinson – Age: 41
- Gorka Marquez – Age: 35
- Initial Meeting: Strictly Come Dancing, 2017
- Engagement: Valentine’s Day, 2021
- Children: Mia and Thiago
- Location of Incident: Tenerife
Despite the initial embarrassment from the paparazzi photos, Gemma emphasized the playful nature of their relationship. Gorka, reflecting on their youthful antics, joked about the misunderstanding, adding, “People thought we set it up. No, I wouldn’t have set one up breathing in, on all fours.”
This light-hearted anecdote illustrates the dynamics of Gemma and Gorka’s relationship, showcasing both vulnerability and humor as they navigate life together.
