Gemma Atkinson faced a moment she was probably dreading as she tuned into Strictly Come Dancing with her daughter. The Hits Radio host took to Instagram on Monday evening (December 12) as she watched the results of the semi-final with three-year-old Mia who she shares with pro dancer Gorka Marquez.
Sunday night's semi-final saw the remaining five celebrities - Will Mellor, Helen Skelton, Fleur East, Hamza Yassin, and Molly Rainford - and their dance partners perform two dances to impress the judges and the voting public in a bid to make it to the grand final, which takes places on Sunday (December 17).
And Gemma, 38, appeared emotional as she watched Gorka and Countryfile host Helen perform an elegant Waltz before taking on a powerful and sexy Argentine Tango. During the live show, which was moved from its usual primetime Saturday night slot, she shared a picture of the dancing couple as they received their comments from the judges and the former soap star and Hits Radio host simply typed: "Love it!" alongside an emoji of a face holding back happy tears.
READ MORE: Gemma Atkinson pays poignant tribute as she reveals why she says late dad 'lives on the moon'
But when it came down to the results each week, Gemma wasn't only cheering for Helen and Gorka but also for Will Mellor and Nancy Xu as her little girl developed a little bit of a 'crush' on the Stockport-born actor.
As she watched the latest results show, which saw Will in the dreaded dance-off against Fleur East before becoming the eleventh celebrity to be eliminated from the BBC One dance contest, Gemma filmed herself and her daughter on the sofa in their Greater Manchester family home.
"Papa or Will need to win," Mia said. "They need to get through one of them don't they," Gemma replied before she looked at the camera and shook her head in despair. She then added; "They will still be dancer though, won't they? Even if they leave tonight they'll still be dancers." But Mia replied: "I'll cry if he goes." As Gemma laughed and said 'you won't,' Mia insisted there will be tears.
"Well this is awkward," Gemma typed over the clip. But as Will was announced as being in the dance-off, Mia let out a sad 'aw' as she looked upset at the camera. "It's alright though," Gemma tried to comfort her. "Papa's through and next week and they'll all be back anyway.
But as the dance-off played out, Gemma had to make a decision. "Gonna turn it off now. Can't pur her through the dance off," she wrote alongside the clip. The mum-of-one then added: "I feel this is practice for future heartbreaks at least! I felt the same when Take That split up," she added alongside a crying laughing emoji.
Gemma then shared a smiling photo of Helen and Gorka and shared her thanks for fans' votes for the pair. "Also THANK YOU! For voting these two. I'm so pleased!!! It's so deserved. The work behind the scenes from them both mentally as well as physically has blown me away. Super proud! And I cannot wait to watch you both (hopefully) life that glitterball next sat."
Hits Radio host Gemma, from Bury, has previously spoken about Mia's interest in Will and it was even brought up by Claudia Winkleman on the hit show. Last month, Mia finally got to meet the Two Pints of Lager and Coronation Street actor as she headed with her mum to watch rehearsals for the show's Blackpool special.
And Mia looked delighted as Gemma took to Instagram to share a picture of her daughter alongside Will on the dancefloor as he got in some last-minute rehearsals. "Mia's dream came true," proud mum Gemma typed alongside the adorable snap of the pair.
READ NEXT:
- Ryan Thomas has fans in tears as he surprises brother Adam's wife with Waterloo Road star missing
- ITV Coronation Street's Millie Gibson stuns with new hair as she reunites with gorgeous co-stars for 'family' date
- Helen Skelton declares she's 'not a victim' after tears on BBC Strictly Come Dancing
- Stacey Solomon leaves home for week with famous bestie after sharing why her Christmas starts at 4am
- ITV Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon announces gender of unborn child at 'wild' baby shower with former co-stars
