Gemma Atkinson left some of her fans in tears as she paid tribute to one of her best friends ahead of being her maid of honour at her upcoming wedding. The Hits Radio host took to Instagram to share a string of images from throughout her friendship with Cinta London.
And while the post was a gushing tribute to her mate, Gemma couldn't avoid touching on a recent traumatic experience for Cinta, who works as a hair and makeup artist, which left Gemma fearing the worst and thinking back to when she lost her father, David, aged 17 in 2002.
"2 months until I’m maid of honour for @cintalondon," the 37-year-old began to type alongside a bunch of throwback images, showing her and Cinta in a hot tub while rocking sunglasses as well as when they were papped while out and about in Manchester. "To say we’ve been through it is an understatement," Gemma continued.
READ MORE: Gemma Atkinson sends defiant message to Helen Skelton after applauding her fiance Gorka Marquez
"A month ago with the two of us alone in her flat I ended up phoning for an ambulance in the night because Cinta was having a suspected heart attack. It was awful. And whilst trying to stay cool and calm in front of her while we waited for paramedics, all I could think of was my Dad and how he died from a heart attack."
David died in 2002 from a heart attack and Gemma, now 37, has previously spoken about how her dad's colleague found him hunched over his desk, struggling to breathe or move, as he was having a heart attack.
Gemma told Steph's Packed Lunch in June last year that within a few days they were told her dad was OK and put it down to stress and told him to slow down. However, as the family prepared for him to come, the hospital called and said David had a massive heart attack in his sleep and sadly passed away. On April 27 this year, Gemma marked 20 years since his tragic death, sharing an old clip with her millions of followers.
But there was a positive outcome as Gemma continued her post: "After a few nights in hospital for her it turned out to be something completely different, and after a soon-to-happen operation she’s gonna be absolutely fine! We actually now already look back at that night & laugh as we were asked if we’d had any drink or drugs and we’d only had herbal tea and homemade cauliflower soup RockNroll!"
Former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Gemma ended her post: "Together we’ve been through heartbreaks, job rejections, important decisions and lots of happy times. The kit de Luca to my Vivian, the Thelma to my Louise and the Kim to my Khloe! I can’t wait to watch you strut down the aisle!"
Responding to Gemma, Cintra said: "From Footballs in my face to heartbreaks, Baha Mar, Missed flights, Bat Caves, MJ sightings and Tik Toks (Before anyone anyone even knew what Tik Toks were). Giving me the best little neice in Mia I could ever dream of and sharing her growing up videos with me weekly. You've gone from being the best friend to the bestest Mum and you acted fast when I thought I thought I was on my last legs!! But I'm here and STILL the Kim to your Khloe. We have way too many stones left to turnover starting with my BIG DAY where I can't wait for you to be my Maid of Honor."
@hendyc375 said: "This actually made me cry.... This is me and my best friend." @tracygillett commented: "Wishing your friend every happiness and good health moving forwards. Thank goodness for good friends."
@baillie.alison shared: "Thank goodness your dear friend is feeling better now! What a gorgeous friendship." @lurchermad added: "So sorry to hear of Cintas health scare. Glad all is well. Friendship like yours is amazing. Congrats on the wedding to be & maid of honour duties."
The mention of a wedding also led to Gemma's followers asking her about her plans for her own. The mum-of-one recently shared her plans for a 'laid-back' wedding as she and her Strictly Come Dancing star fiancé Gorka Marquez near their fifth anniversary.
The loved-up couple met in 2017 when Bury-born Gemma signed up for the BBC One dance contest. While the former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star wasn’t partnered with the Spanish professional dancer, she instead made it all the way to the final with the show's former pro dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, love blossomed behind the scenes for the pair.
They confirmed their relationship the following year, following the end of the Strictly live tour which took in arenas across the country. A year later they welcomed their first child together, daughter Mia, and on Valentine’s Day last year, Gorka got down on one knee and proposed to Gemma, who said a big 'yes!'
But the wedding planning hasn't taken shape just yet with both Gemma and Gorka keeping busy with their work projects and looking after three-year-old Mia. "There have been a few times now where we’ve driven past a registry office and said, ‘Shall we just go in and do it? Yeah, let’s do it!’" Gemma told OK! Magazine. "We’ve not planned anything other than we know we want it really small and really intimate."
READ NEXT:
- Stacey Solomon shows off hidden wedding and EastEnders tributes in stunning autumn display at £1.2m home
- Strictly's Kym Marsh cuddles up to Graziano Di Prima as they speak out on 'heartbreaking' dance-off
- ITV This Morning viewers have same reaction as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield replaced by Alison and Dermot
- ITV Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley defensive as he's accused of 'prejudice' during 'car crash' interview with Susanna Reid
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Helen Skelton breaks silence after Gorka Marquez jumps to her defence with 'beautiful' comments
