Gemma Atkinson and Gorka: Strictly Come Dancing star opens up about SHOCK announcement
GEMMA ATKINSON and Gorka Marquez announced their relationship on Instagram back in February after meeting during Strictly Come Dancing last year. The loved-up couple’s co-star Joe McFadden has let slip a secret about the news during an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez: The couple announced their relationship back in February
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez get cosy over a coffee
Gemma Atkinson and the Strictly Come Dancing professional first sparked speculation that they could be dating last year, after the pair exhibited a close bond during their time on the show.
Despite having previously denied rumours of romance, fans remained convinced that the former Emmerdale actress was dating the ballroom dancer after they were spotted spending time together during the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
The 33-year-old and Gorka later confirmed their relationship on Instagram back in February, as they revealed that they were an item in an adorable Valentine’s Day post.
The happy couple’s co-star Joe, who won the BBC One show last year with professional dancer Katya Jones, has now opened up about when he found out the couple had got together.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Joe said: “I think they’re both lovely people and I think they make a really sweet couple.
It was sort of a surprise for us as well.
Joe went on to reveal that the duo had kept their blossoming relationship under wraps during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour earlier this year.
“They kept it quite quiet and I can sort of understand why, because everyone was so wanting to know,” he said.
“So it was sort of a surprise for us as well. But you know, it’s their own business.”
He added: “I can understand why they wanted to keep it between just the two of them.
“But it’s lovely that everyone knows now, and as I say, they make a really nice couple.”
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez: The couple first met on Strictly Come Dancing last year
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez: Joe McFadden starred alongside the couple on Strictly Come Dancing
Joe couldn’t help but gush over the new romance, as he went on to tease the idea of Gemma and Gorka having children together in the future.
“Yeah great couple, imagine the kids,” he laughed. “They’d be the best looking kids ever.”
Reminiscing about the different dances, the former Holby City actor confessed that he often cringed at his performance in the competition’s third week.
“I still can’t watch it,” he admitted. “They show clips sometimes when I do TV shows and stuff and I just can’t bear it.
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez: The couple announced their relationship on Instagram
Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson go on bowling date
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez: Joe McFadden was up against the former Emmerdale star in the final
“Even the song Ed Sheeran, Castle on the Hill. Whenever I hear it I get waves of embarrassment. It brings it all back.”
The star, who was up against Gemma, Alexandra Burke, and Debbie McGee in the show’s glitzy final, also described how it felt to win the Glitter Ball.
Insisting that he hadn’t expected to win after seeing his co-stars’ previous performances, he said: “I would have bet on all three of those before myself so it was a genuine shock.
“It was probably the biggest surprise of my life when we won. But it was really lovely.”
Joe was speaking at the annual Vertical Rush challenge at London’s Tower 42, which saw contestants race up 932 steps in aid of Shelter.
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