Gemma Atkinson teases wedding plans with Gorka Márquez
"I'm the most chilled bride I think"
Gemma Atkinson has opened up about her wedding plans with fiancé Gorka Márquez. The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, when Gemma was paired with Aljaž Škorjanec, and announced their engagement on Valentine's Day 2021.
Despite being together for several years and sharing three-year-old daughter Mia, the couple have a relaxed approach to getting wed, with Gemma revealing in a recent interview with Hello! magazine: "I'm the most chilled bride."
She continued: "I think because as long as it's just close family and friends there really we wouldn't want anything big. We know we don't want a massive glitzy occasion, just something nice, with the people there who we want there and chilled really."
The actress went on to reveal that despite her family living in the UK and Gorka's in Spain and Portugal, they don't want to have multiple weddings on the advice of good friends Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec
"You know, Janette and Aljaž had three weddings," Gemma explained.
"We went for lunch with them and she said, 'We had one in Miami, one in Slovenia and one in England.' And I said, 'How was it?' And she went, 'Don't do it!'"
Although a date hasn't yet been chosen for the big day the intimate guest list has been agreed and unsurprisingly Janette and Aljaž have made the cut.
Gem has also revealed she has already booked to view some venues after her family teased her about her relaxed approach to getting married at Mia's birthday party.
"It was actually at Mia's party I had my relatives there and they were all saying: 'Are you getting married then? What's the score?'" the mum-of-one explained.
"So the day after that we booked to go visit a few."
When is Gemma Atkinson getting married?
Gemma hasn't set a date for her wedding yet.
Who is on the guest list at Gemma Atkinson's wedding?
Gemma has not yet confirmed everyone who is on their guest list, however she has said she would like to invite all of Gorka's family, as well as telling Hello! that her good friends Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec would be invited.
Where will Gemma Atkinson get married?
Gemma has not yet decided on a venue for her wedding, or even a country, as she and Gorka have family spread across several countries.
When Hello! joked she could have a destination wedding in Spain to keep the numbers down she replied: "Yeah, keeping guest numbers down is good!" Although she admitted that she is keen for all of Gorka's family to be at the wedding as they have only recently been able to see them again after two-and-a-half years due to lockdowns and Coronavirus restrictions.
She went on to say: "I don't want us to be stressed and all anxious leading up to it, it's just at the end of the day it's another day. It's a LOVELY DAY but it's not the main focus if that makes sense?"
Who is Gemma Atkinson's fiancé?
Gorka Márquez is engaged to Gemma Atkinson, the couple announced their engagement on Valentine's Day 2021 with a sweet post from Gorka saying: 'The best day with my forever Valentine’s ♥️
'I asked and she said YES!!!!!! 💍
'Happy Valentine’s Day everyone'.
Now take a look through Gemma Atkinson's career:
Hollyoaks (2001 - 2006)
Gemma Atkinson played the role of Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks between 2001 and 2005. Gemma also appeared in its spin-off shows, Hollyoaks: After Hours, Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City, between 2004 and 2006. In 2002 Gemma was nominated for Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards.
Hollyoaks: Let Loose (2005)
In 2005, Gemma Atkinson appeared in Hollyoaks: Let Loose, a spin-off series about Ben Davies and Lisa Hunter as they leave Hollyoaks for a new life.
Soapstar Superstar (2007)
Gemma appeared in Soapstar Superstar in 2007 and reached the last four. On the show she performed songs by P!nk, Kylie Minogue, Shania Twain and Sting.
Celebrity Weakest Link and Celebrity MasterChef (2006)
In 2006, Gemma took part in Celebrity Weakest Link along with Hollyoaks co-star Marcus Patric. The same year she also competed on Celebrity MasterChef against the likes of Midge Ure and Craig Revel Horwood, with Nadia Sawalha winning the series.
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2007)
Gemma took part in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! back in 2007, finishing the series in fifth place.
TV appearances (2008)
Gemma appeared on several TV shows in 2008 including Celebrity Mastermind, All Star Family Fortunes and Jack Osbourne's show Adrenaline Junkie. Gemma also made her computer game debut on Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, playing the role of Lt. Eva McKenna, a character she reprised for the sequel, Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising.
Devil's Pass (2013)
In 2013, Gemma appeared as Denise Evers in the film Devil's Pass. The film was about a group of students, who visited the location of the Dyatlov pass incident, to make a documentary.
The Dyatlov pass incident was a real event where experienced hikers went missing in uncertain circumstances. That same year she also appeared in a remake of Night of the Living Dead.
Emmerdale (2015 - 2017)
For two years, Gemma played the role of Carly Hope in Emmerdale. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, Emmerdale won Best Soap at the Inside Soap Awards, and Gemma was also nominated for Sexiest Female in the 2016 Inside Soap Awards.
Started acting role in Fever (2016)
Gemma starred in the Indian suspense thriller Fever, starring alongside Caterina Murino and Ankita Makwana. As part of the Emmerdale cast, Gemma won Best Soap at the TV Choice Awards in 2016. The actress also became vice-patron of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Lancashire.
Key 103 Breakfast Show (2017)
In 2017, Gemma Atkinson turned her talents to radio presenting and joined Mike Toolan on the Key 103 Breakfast Show (now Hits Radio). The pair presented the show until May 2018.
Gemma then carried on with the breakfast show on the newly-named Hits Radio until she went on leave to have her baby daughter in 2019.
Strictly Come Dancing (2017)
Gemma was partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec on the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Gemma and Aljaž ended the show as runner ups, narrowly missing out to Joe McFadden and Katya Jones. Gemma also met her future fiancé Gorka Marquez on the show.
Gemma Atkinson releases The Ultimate Body Plan book (2018)
Not only is Gemma a presenter and actor, but she is also an author. Gemma released a book of recipes and workout plans called The Ultimate Body Plan in 2018 and went on a book tour around England and Wales.
Gemma presents the drivetime show on West FM (2020)
After having Mia, Gemma returned to radio to present the home time show on West FM in 2020.
Gemma Atkinson reunited with Mike Toolan on West FM (2022)
Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan were reunited on the radio in 2022. The pair now present the drivetime show on West FM.
Gemma Atkinson releases The Ultimate Body Plan for New Mums book (2022)
After releasing her first book in 2018, Gemma followed it up with a second book in 2022 called The Ultimate Body Plan for New Mums based on her own experiences as a new mother getting back into exercising.
Gemma Atkinson returns to Hollyoaks (2022)
Fans were excited when Gemma returned to Hollyoaks in 2022, 16 years after leaving the show, calling it a 'trip down memory lane'. Reprising her role as Lisa Hunter, she was back on the soap for two episodes.
Teasing her character's return, Gemma said: 'She's only back for a short amount of time, but you all know in Hollyoaks you can do a lot of damage in a short time.'
Gemma Atkinson presents The Toddler Club (2022)
Gemma joined kids' TV show The Toddler Club on CBeebies as a presenter alongside Nigel Clarke in April 2022. She drew from her own experience as a mum and revealed that before joining the programme she: "Found comfort and reassurance watching programmes such as The Baby Club and The Toddler Club."
Gemma Atkinson releases Activewear range (2023)
In January 2023, Gemma released her Activewear range with In The Style. The range features leggings, half-zip tops, sports tops, joggers and more, in sizes 6 - 24.
Gemma Atkinson lands her own TV show with fiancé Gorka Marquez
Following the birth of their second child in July 2023, Gemma and her fiancé Gorka Marquez announced they'd landed their very own TV show called Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens. The three-part series, which aired on W and UKTV Play, provided viewers with an unfiltered look at their lives as they prepared to welcome their second child, as well as being working parents.
After a successful first series, it was announced in January 2024 that the show had been renewed for a second series, which began on Monday 6th May.
Gemma Atkinson announces new podcast The Overshare
Gemma Atkinson launches her new podcast The Overshare on 21st September. The West FM presenter will be talking with listeners for the most jaw-dropping, tear-jerking stories and some proper laugh-out-loud moments.
Gemma Atkinson released first children's book Dogs Don't Dance
In February 2024, Gemma teamed up with illustrator Lisa Hunt to release her first ever children's book Dogs Don't Dance.
The book's description reads: 'This confidence-building picture book is all about trying new things, embracing difference, encouraging our friends and defying stereotypes. Dave the dog wants to dance, but the wise pooches at the park bark in shock.'
Now read:
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez are ENGAGED!
Strictly Come Dancing: Everything you need to know about the 2022 series