Gemma Atkinson announces shock career move post-Strictly and it leaves some 'DEVASTATED’
GEMMA ATKINSON revealed big career news this morning, just hours after her boyfriend and Strictly Come Dancing co-star Gorka Marquez spilled all on their baby plans.
Gemma Atkinson jokes around with her Key 103 co-hosts
The actress, who made it to the final of Strictly Come Dancing last year, has seen her career go from strength-to-strength since the BBC series and now her next move has been announced.
The 33-year-old took to Twitter to confirm that she would be fronting a new breakfast show for Hits Radio, and she was soon inundated with replies from her 234,000 followers.
Gemma Atkinson started: “So excited to be joining forces with @GethincJones and @davidvitty on the brand new Hits Radio breakfast show.”
The former Hollyoaks favourite continued: “Starting the day with great music across the UK right here from my home town of Manchester! We’re going to have such a laugh in the mornings! #hitsradio.”
Her new co-star Gethin Jones went on: “The news has just dropped! I can’t wait to start work with amazing @MissGAtkinson and the ledge @davidvitty on our brand new breakfast show for Hits Radio.
Starting the day with great music across the UK right here from my home town of Manchester! We’re going to have such a laugh
“We’ve got some great ideas - usually ending up in fits of laughter! Hope you can join us… Gx.”(sic)
The television favoruite has been a regular on Manchester’s Key 103 station in the morning since early last year, alongside Matt Haslam and Mike Toolan.
But, she will now be joined by Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter Gethin, 40, and Comedy Dave, 43, instead.
The trio will be on first thing after Key 103 “upgrades” to Hits Radio this summer, which sparked furore today.
The station’s official Twitter page stated: “Key 103 is upgrading! We’re set to become the first national commercial radio station to broadcast from Manchester.
“We’re going to be changing our name, we’ll be broadcasting in Manchester on 103FM and across the country on DAB.”
Two rushed to wish Gemma all the best: “Amazing news Gemma. Congrats!” and: “Can't wait to listen! When does the show start?”
However, Key 103 were inundated with complaints about the changes and they posted a number of replies.
“@KEY103 you've just ruined my day! I only wake up to hear Mike, Matt and Gemma… #whatasadday #ripkey103 #devastated,” one person tweeted.
Key 103 wrote back: “You'll still be able to catch these guys on air, it's a really exciting time and we hope you can join us on this journey! Plus you'll get Mike on his own for a whole three hours!”
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A second went on: “Great news BUT, No Mike in the morning. Been listening too you for over 20-odd years on work commute.”
“We understand it's a very big change,” Key 103 sated. “But we really hope you'll love the new breakfast show and then have Mike to get you through the rest of the morning!”
“Listened to this show for years and in particular @Toolyboy since he first took over the breakfast show. My absolute fave thing in the morning. NOT good news in my opinion #RIPkey103,” the posts went on.
Someone else stated: “What's that saying… if it ain't broke… not liking the sound of it already, Gemma, Matt & Mike are a brilliant team. Will have to make the most of them till June then I'll be turning that dial to another station. NOT exciting news.”
Mike and Matt are yet to respond to the comments online, however the former simply tweeted his 34,000 followers: “We have some rather large @KEY103 news for you at 7:30. Big anno coming.”(sic)