Gemma Atkinson reveals why she'd like to WAIT to get married to Gorka Marquez

They're celebrating daughter Mia's first birthday this weekend

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 3rd Jul 2020

Gemma Atkinson not only presents the drive time show with Wes, Monday to Friday on Hits Radio, she's also a mum to Mia and girlfriend of Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez.

And, as proud mum to Mia, Gemma revealed on Loose Women that she will be celebrating her daughter's first birthday with a party this weekend.

Gemma explained, the first year has flown by, but due to the Coronavirus lockdown, the original plans of a big party have had to be scaled back.

Revealing plans for the party, Gemma said they are only going to have close family for a garden party, although it might move into the kitchen depending on the weather. The Hits Radio presenter went on to share details saying, "We've got your balloons, thank you very much, we've got sweeties coming and a cake."

While she was describing her plans, it sounded like she said "wedding" rather than "weather", and after some eagle-eyed viewers picked up on this, she was asked if there might be a surprise wedding. 👀

Speaking to the panel, Gemma said, "Do you know what, we're not really fussed about getting married. We always said if we were to do it now, we'd want to wait until Mia is old enough, so she can be involved."

Last year, Gemma announced that she and Gorka were expecting a baby, Mia was later born on 4th July, with Gemma announcing the news on Instagram saying, 'And just like that, we’re a three! Our beautiful baby daughter arrived on Thursday 4th July and myself and Gorks couldn’t be happier 💗💗💗.'

During the Loose Women interview, Gemma also discussed how she felt about the possibility of Strictly Come Dancing returning to our screens. Admitting that they're in the dark as much as anyone else, there have been rumours that the contestants and professional dancers would have to self-isolate together.

Gemma revealed that this wouldn't be a problem for her, "It's his job" Gemma explained, when asked how she would feel if Gorka was self-isolating with his dance partner.

"His job is so professional, and I know to everyone else they see Strictly as three months and this curse or whatever, but Gorka's been dancing and touring and doing competitions with dance partners since he was like nine!"

Gem went on to compare it to herself as an actress, she might have to do a scene and kiss a guy and do a love scene, "If it's part of your job, you just do the job and come home when it's finished," she told Loose Women.

Take a look at which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.


Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished.


Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.

Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna

It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009.


With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.

Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff

When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey.


Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff

After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen.


Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later.


Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.


Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple.

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2013.


Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And the pair welcomed a baby in 2019, with another arriving in 2021.

Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice

Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015.


Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.


Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg

After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'


The pair have been loved-up ever since!

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez

Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018 and welcomed their daughter Mia in summer 2019. The couple then announced their engagement at the start of 2021.

In 2023, Gemma and Gorka then welcomed their second child, a baby boy called Thiago!

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts

Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.


However, just one year later in January 2020, Giovanni confirmed the pair had split.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton

Despite taking a long time to confirm their romance, Stacey and Kevin now seem very happy together, with Kevin announcing back in March 2021 that he'd quit the show.


Despite the couple keeping their relationship more or less private, the couple did confirm in August 2022 that they are expecting their first child together, with Stacey giving birth to baby Minnie in January 2023.

Max George and Maisie Smith

Despite both taking part in the 2020 series of Strictly, The Wanted singer Max George and former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith didn't actually start dating until mid-2022.


After weeks of rumours about a romance, the pair went Instagram official in September 2022, sharing gushy posts about each other. They've since been smitten.

Tyler West and Molly Rainford

Strictly 2022 contestants Tyler West and Molly Rainford confirmed they were dating in March 2023, after growing close during the live tour. The pair confirmed they were dating during a TikTok video, leaving fans buzzing.

You can hear Wes and Gemma on Hits Radio Monday to Friday from 4pm.

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.