Strictly's Gemma Atkinson blasts 'curse' as 'offensive' as Gorka Marquez returns to series
Gemma Atkinson has hit out at the infamous "Strictly curse" and claimed it is "offensive" to her husband Gorka Marquez, who is set to return to the BBC show later this year.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson has hit out at the show's so-called "curse" in staunch defence of her fiancé Gorka Marquez and his future dance partner. Labelling it as "offensive", the ex-Emmerdale actress criticised the effect it could have on his upcoming performance in the new season.
As Gorka prepares to return to the BBC One dance competition later this year, paired with a yet-to-be-revealed celebrity partner, the soap star took a stand against the alleged "Strictly curse". This was a term used by viewers and participants when high-profile names on the show sparked romances with their dance partners.
Several dance partners have fallen for each other through the years, fuelling frenzied speculations each season. But fans are forewarned ahead of this annual edition, as Gemma vehemently rejected the notion and its implications.
While speaking recently to Woman Magazine, the 39-year-old actress branded the "curse" as "quite offensive", particularly regarding its impact on Gorka and his celeb partner. She stated: "It's quite offensive - not to me, but to Gorka and his celebrity partner, or to anyone on the show. You are more or less saying to them, 'Are you going to cheat on your partner this year then?'"
She emphatically insisted: "If I walked into an office and asked that, everyone would be like, 'Why would I do that' But because it's a TV show we are asked every year, 'Is this the year he will cheat? ' Nobody says to Gorka, 'Is there a Strictly curse at home?'"
When she Gemma entered the competition back in 2017, the Hits Radio presenter found herself falling for Gorka, whom she is now engaged to.
While Gemma demonstrated her talent beside Aljaz Skorjanec, Gorka danced his way with Alexandra Burke during the competition.
However, they only had eyes for each other after meeting for the first time on the set of the BBC show.
Don't miss...
Bobby Brazier sets record straight on romance with EastEnders co-star [LATEST]
Love Island icon 'set to sign up for Strictly along with Gladiators star' [UPDATE]
Luke Littler may appear on Strictly Come Dancing as BBC judge teases offer [NEWS]
It wasn't until February 2018, after spending more time together during the Strictly tour across the UK, that they declared they were a couple.
Gemma and Gorka have been utterly inseparable since then. In February 2019, Gemma shared on her Instagram that she was pregnant with the Latin and ballroom dancer's child, giving birth to a little girl named Mia on July 4, the same year.
Gorka proposed two years later, but the couple postponed their wedding twice in three years to ensure all family members could attend - including their second child, Thiago, who was born on 19 July 2023.