Strictly Come Dancing 2017: Gemma Atkinson breaks silence on Gorka Marquez romance rumours
GEMMA ATKINSON has hit back at rumours that she is growing close to Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez after it was reported they were "all over each other" at his birthday party.
Strictly Come Dancing 2017: Gemma Atkinson breaks silence on Gorka Marquez romance rumours
Gemma Atkinson performs waltz with Aljaz Skirjanec on Strictly
Now, the Emmerdale actress has broken her silence and claims that she is happily single and not looking for love as she focusses on her training.
Gemma previously said the so-called "Strictly curse" was a blessing but has insisted it was simply a joke, telling OK! magazine: "It was said in complete and utter jest!
"The last thing I'm looking for right now is a boyfriend. I'm happy to be the crazy dog woman with meals for one.
"I live with Norman who is a Sproodle and Olly, a working cocker spaniel. They're like my kids, I even throw birthday parties for them."
Strictly Come Dancing: Gemma Atkinson breaks silence on Gorka Marquez romance rumours
Strictly Come Dancing: Gemma hit back at claims she is looking for love
When probed over her rumoured romance with Gorka, the 32-year-old hit back: "There was an online poll that asked who I should get with and they said Gorka, so it started there!
"I've only seen him for the launch and live shows. He's a friend and the only thing we've shared is his guacamole recipe."
Addressing claims that she and the professional dancer could not keep their hands off each other at his birthday party, Gemma commented: "He didn't have a birthday party. All of us are staying in the same hotel - the cast, the contestants and some of the production staff.
Strictly Come Dancing: Gorka and Gemma were rumoured to have grown close at his birthday
Strictly Come Dancing: Gemma said the rumours that she had fallen for Gorka are not true
"One night before the launch, about 15 of us had a meal together and we told the restaurant to bring out a cake for Gorka.
"We all sang happy birthday and I was sitting with Simon [Rimmer] and Giovanni [Pernice], not Gorka, but I read we were all over each other. It wasn't true."
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday on BBC One at 6.35pm.
Read the full interview with Gemma Atkinson in OK! magazine.