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In the past few weeks, Gemma Atkinson has been relieved to get some aspects of her normal life back.
Not only is the 36-year-old, who recently announced her engagement, presenting her weekday drivetime show for Hits Radio from the studio rather than from home, she’s also got her partner Gorka Márquez back by her side.
While Strictly Come Dancing was on last year, the pair were separated for a long 78 days as Gorka, 30, made it to the final with his dance partner, EastEnders star Maisie Smith.
Now he can look after 19-month-old Mia while Gemma’s out at work in the afternoon, and help around the house.
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Gemma’s chatting to us as part of her role as brand ambassador with Indesit, who have launched a campaign, #DoItTogether, to encourage parents to share the load at home. With so many mums struggling to cope in lockdown, it’s a subject close to Gemma’s heart.
But as she tells us, the Spanish dancer – who she met on Strictly in 2017 – is a dab hand with a duster and can rustle up a mean paella, too.
Here, Gemma tells OK! all about their home life, and reveals how the sports-mad pair are keeping their health and fitness on track…
Gemma Atkinson is engaged: Strictly star Gorka Marquez pops the question on Valentine's Day
Gemma Atkinson is engaged: Strictly star Gorka Marquez pops the question on Valentine's Day
What was it like not being able to see Gorka while he was doing Strictly?
It was tough. He was away for 13 weeks in total and I was on my own with Mia for quite a bit of it and it was up to me to do the cleaning, the cooking, the ironing, the washing, everything. I did think to myself, “Gosh I am so lucky to have someone as there are a lot of single parents out there,” and how lucky I am now he’s back.
Is that what made you get involved with the Indesit campaign?
I saw people online, mostly women, talking about doing more chores, especially with homeschooling and partners working from home, so the message is to share the load by doing it together. Gorka’s really good round the house but he never knew what setting to put the washing machine on. But now he does and Mia helps out.
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Before you moved into together, did you chat about who would do what when it came to the chores?
Not really – but we are a great team together, like if I do the nursery run, then Gorka will make breakfast. I think it comes from living on our own for so long; we both lived on our own from the age of 17. You have to have that level of responsibility or nothing will get done. It’s important to show Mia we are both chipping in and we try to drill into her that she can help out and make it fun, like Mary Poppins. Although we don’t do it as fast as Mary Poppins!
Did you have any help with Mia while Gorka was away?
I’m fortunate because she’s in nursery two days a week and my mum is great with childcare – my family live really close to us. For five months I did my radio show from home which was a bit stressful. Without my mum and dad, and nana and grandpa, I wouldn’t have been able to carry on working. The family rallied round. We’re making the best of it!
Is it great to be able to start working in the studio again?
Yes. They’ve made it as safe as possible so each show has their own studio now and each one is fumigated, and we have to wear masks. I literally drive in and come straight home, but I say to myself, “Right, take this in, take in the scenery,” even though it’s just a bland old motorway, it’s a bit of free time for the day.
What do you do at weekends?
We’re staying in obviously but we’ve got a garden and we’re healthy. I keep saying to all my family whenever any of us have a wobble that’s what’s important. It doesn’t matter that we can’t go on holiday, or we can’t go out to dinner. It’s a shame, but health is what we’ve got and that’s wealth at the moment. I’ve baked so many banana breads I’ve lost count! Plus we do family Zooms, Zoom nights, Zoom quizzes. We’ve watched every murder documentary going, which sounds morbid.
Which ones do you watch?
We got into The Staircase on Netflix, Night Stalker and Making A Murderer. We’ve seen so many films we said, “Let’s find something we can look forward to at night and follow up on,” and we watch an episode a night as it takes up more time!
Do you get out and about for walks?
We’ve got the dogs so we have to take them for a walk and make sure they get out. We’re fortunate to have our own gym, and I think exercise is one of the main things keeping us going. We try to do as much together as a family as we possibly can. As sad as this lockdown is, and I can’t wait for it to be finished, there’s a side of me that thinks that when it is, Gorka will be back on tour again. We won’t get this time back as a family in these circumstances. So I think let’s make the most of it and make memories.
How often do you work out?
I try to do three or four times a week and have rest days. I’ll feel better throughout the day if I’ve done my workout in the morning. But equally some days the motivation isn’t there and I’ll listen to my body and do 30 minutes of stretching. I’m not strict with it to the point of it becoming boring or mundane.
What kind of workouts do you do?
I’ll mix up weights and cardio on the bike. I love weight training and setting myself personal bests. I’m not a runner – I can only run if I’m being chased! Some days it’s just a long dog walk.
Did you do Dry January?
The last time I had a proper drink was at the Brit Awards last February. I’m not a big drinker. On my birthday I had a couple of gin and tonics and a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve. If I’m going to an event I like to have a drink but I’ve never been one to drink at home – I’ve had a dry 2020!
It’s been 10 years since your first fitness shoot. How did you first get into it?
I used to think to myself, “Why am I so tired and why I am spotty,” when I was using expensive face cream. Then it dawned on me it wasn’t what I put on my body, it was how I treated it from the inside. I’m glad I had that period of late nights and girls’ holidays, but in the long term I wanted to feel my best and that meant taking care of myself. I’ve never been from one extreme to the other – it’s consistency and small changes, so there’s no rebounding.
What kind of food do you eat?
Gorka cooks up great Spanish food, like Spanish omelette and paella. I’m vegetarian, so he does a chicken one for him and a veggie one for me. I like batch cooking soup and traditional British food, like veggie stew with dumplings.
After having Mia, you didn’t exercise for 15 weeks…
It was the last thing on my mind as I wanted to be with Mia. We were in a lovely bubble and getting back into shape didn’t enter my mind. I had an emergency C-section and it was sore around my scar area and I wasn’t physically ready. The first thing you need to do is look after your baby and yourself and not put yourself through torturous workouts. I was breastfeeding too and wanted to eat as much nutritious food as possible to make sure Mia had enough.
How’s Mia getting along now?
She’s obsessed with books and understands a bit of Spanish now. Gorka speaks to her in Spanish and she FaceTimes his parents a lot. It baffles me that there was this tiny baby like a bag of sugar and now she’s so tall! She loves the Strictly theme and she loves My Girl by The Temptations after watching Jason [Bell] and Luba [Mushtuk] dancing to it.
Were you sad when your trip to Spain over New Year was cancelled?
Yes – his parents have missed out on the first year of Mia’s life, but they do see her every day on screen. I keep reminding myself everyone’s in the same position. It’s that old chestnut, keep calm and carry on.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Gorka’s tour has been postponed and we’re not going to book a holiday. Rather than plan ahead, we’ve said take it day by day. But me and my family have said once all this is done we’re going to have a house party, have some lovely food and a few drinks and just all hug each other. That’s what we want to do.
Gemma Atkinson is a brand ambassador for Indesit. The brand has launched the #DoItTogether campaign, encouraging parents to set the right example to their children for a happier, healthier and equal home.
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