Gemma Atkinson says she's 'so proud' as she shares…

Gemma Atkinson says she's 'so proud' as she shares rare comment on fiance's BBC Strictly partner Helen Skelton

Gemma Atkinson has said she is ‘so proud’ of her fiance Gorka Marquez and his Strictly Come Dancing celebrity partner Helen Skelton. The Hits Radio host has shared the rare comments after continually supporting the pair as they take to the ballroom floor every Saturday night.

Last weekend as the hit BBC One dance contest returned up north to Blackpool for the first time in three years, Gemma and daughter Mia headed over to the seaside resort to take a look at rehearsals and give Gorka and Helen some extra luck ahead of their performance in the iconic Tower Ballroom.

Gemma and her family posed for a sweet group snap with Helen and her children. Gemma, 38, Gorka, 32, and three-year-old Mia beamed for the camera with former Blue Peter presenter Helen, 39, and her sons Ernie, seven, and Louis, five, and baby Elsie Kate. Former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Gemma posted the picture on her Instagram Stories with the words: "Attempt 14 and we're all (almost) looking at the camera."

She then added supportively: "Smash that quickstep tonight guys." Helen also reshared the photo that Gorka had posted to his main grid in which he said: "Ready to quickstep tonight in Blackpool and make the Gang Proud! @helenskelton we’ve got this!" And they definitely did them proud with a near-perfect score.

Helen and Gorka beamed through their energetic quickstep to Valerie by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse and the pair were highly praised by the judges as they received three 10s and a nine from Craig Revel Horwood.

And now Gemma has shared a rare comment about her man and his 2022 dance partner as they head into week 10 of the popular TV competition. "Gorka and Helen have been amazing so far this year I'm so so proud of them," the mum-of-one said. "Helen is just wonderful, she's lovely, Mia absolutely loves them, although she does like Will Mellor as well, she’s got little crush on Will.

Gemma and Gorka during their routine in the Tower Ballroom (PA)

"But yes, I just I’m fingers crossed for everything for the final, I can't wait to see them, and I’ll be going down to support them. I think when Strictly starts, it’s the countdown to Christmas, especially in our household."

Speaking of Will, Gemma said Mia's 'dream came true' last week when her trip to rehearsals saw her meet the Two Points of Lager and Coronation Street actor for the first time. 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.

Talking about if Mia likes seeing her dad, or 'Papa' as he is known, on TV, Gemma said: "Mia love’s seeing her dad on telly. She does miss him, but we’re lucky though in this day and age that we've got FaceTime and Zoom, so he calls every day, every hour of every day. She loves seeing him on telly and she will definitely be a little dancer herself I think, the number of times we've had to re-watch the dances, I would say even I know the routines by now actually!"

Gemma was chatting as she has teamed up with Mia to help support Family Action's annual Christmas campaign, Make Theirs Magic, by taking to take time out to help gift wrap some of the thousands of toys being donated by the Fisher-Price brand to be given to families around the UK who need a helping hand this year.

In a heart-warming video recorded at their Greater Manchester family home, Gemma and Mia are seen creating their own Christmas wrapping paper with them both getting creative using a potato and some poster paint to print onto paper. The paper they created was then used to wrap up some of the toys donated by the Fisher-Price brand for the appeal.

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