Gemma Atkinson tells Soaplife about her new clothing range and explains why she and her hunky Strictly Come Dancing fella don’t tango together!
Former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress, and Class of 2017 Strictly Come Dancing finalist Gemma Atkinson tells Soaplife about her new clothing range and that, although hot Spanish Strictly Professional Gorka Marquez is now her partner in life, she doesn't dance with him…
What's the story?
It takes two to tango so why doesn't Gemma dance with Gorka? "I never have," she laughs. "Why not? Well, Aljaz Skorjanec was my dancing partner in the show, plus the last thing Gorka wants to do when he’s not working is to start teaching me new dances – especially as it’s really never come that naturally to me. I love watching Gorks dance – he’s brilliant.
"His professional partner is Dianne Buswell, who goes out with Emmerdale’s Anthony Quinlan, who’s my mate. So, me and Anthony go and watch Gorka and Dianne perform. But when Gorka and I are together, we just like hanging out like any other couple." They also like working out – which is just where GA, Gemma’s fabulous new range of active wear, comes in…
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Soaplife's interview with Ex-Emmerdale and Strictly star Gemma Atkinson…
Soaplife: The crop top and leggings you’re wearing look great on you, Gemma! Will they look good on us?
Gemma Atkinson: "The aim of the range is that the clothes will look good, feel comfy on everyone and make the wearer feel confident. That’s the important thing. We do all sizes so the range is for everyone, and I really want to know when people aren’t happy."
S: What inspired you to do a range of active wear?
GA: "I first thought about it a couple of years ago. Doing what I do, I’m regularly sent fitness stuff to endorse, but I’m very picky about what I’ll wear. I’d hate, for example, my 14-year-old niece to go and buy something she’d seen me wearing, but for it not be up to standard. So, I wondered about starting my own range."
S: Have you always been into fitness?
GA: "For me, it’s primarily about being healthy and feeling strong. I’m fascinated by the human body – how it responds to diet and exercise, and how you can control what it looks like. Having said this, I’m far more excited about getting a new personal best in the gym than fitting into a smaller size jeans. It’s about being fit and healthy."
S: What’s your work-out regime?
GA: "I try to do three weight days in the gym and two cardio days. That sounds a lot, but I don’t do more than an hour. If the weather’s good and I have the time, I much prefer taking my dogs out – sproodle Norman and cocker spaniel Ollie – on a power walk rather than pounding away on the treadmill."
S: Apart from the fitness wear range, what else are you up to?
GA: "I’m presenting the Breakfast Show on Hits Radio along with Gethin Jones and Comedy Dave. It’s a brand new radio station, broadcast from Manchester, but it’s nationwide, which is very exciting. I love it."
S: Is acting on the back burner for the time being?
GA: "Not necessarily. If the right thing came along – a gritty one-off drama or a film, for instance, I’d definitely be interested. Having been in Hollyoaks, Casualty and then Emmerdale, I wouldn’t really consider another soap right now."
S: What do you like doing when you’re not working?
GA: "Being with Gorka, obviously! He’s very funny and I like the fact he makes me laugh. I also love spending time with my family. I still live in Bury where I was born and there’s nothing better than going around to mum’s for barbeque and seeing the everyone."
