Gemma Atkinson sees the funny side as wakes to find…

Gemma Atkinson sees the funny side as wakes to find 'Will Mellor' in her living room

Gemma Atkinson shared the moment she walked into her living room to find 'Will Mellor' waiting for her. It's not exactly as it seems as it wasn't the actor and current Strictly Come Dancing star who had made his way onto her lounge chair.

It was in fact the giant elf she acquired ahead of Christmas for her daughter Mia. Last weekend, Gemma, from Bury, revealed her daughter is a fan of the former Two Pints of Lager star Will and even named the stuffed elf toy after him.

After showing Mia revealing the name of her new pal to her millions of Instagram followers, the comments must have been coming in as Gemma later filmed another video telling her millions of followers that Will, who is paired with Nancy Xu in the BBC One dance contest, does in fact know about his new, inanimate namesake.

"Some people are asking does the real Will Mellor know that you like him?" Gemma said to her little girl who proceeded to put her hands on her hips. He does know, doesn't he? What did you get yesterday from Will?" the former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress asked. After initially saying 'the elf', Gemma revealed that Mia actually got a video message from the former Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisp star. When she asked what he did on the video, Mia showed a finger wag motion as if to say 'come here'.

"She likes him when he does this [geaturing a come here motion with her finger] in his dance and so he sent her a video saying, 'Hi Mia,' and does it to he," Gemma explained, seemingly referring to a few weeks ago when Will channeled Patrick Swayze during Strictly's annual Movie Week.

"So I've had to show it her about 46 times," Gemma, 37, then admitted. She also wrote alongside the video about what her parnter and Mia's dad Gorka Marquez thinks about the whole thing. "Will does know and he finds it hilarious [crying laughing emoji]. Gorka, not so much," she typed. "He doesn't want her fancying anyone until she's at least 28."

But it appears Will Mellor the Elf has embedded himself into the family. Sharing a short clip on her Instagram Story on Thurdsay morning (November 3), she showed how she found the toy waiting for her after professional dancer Gorka, 34, had left for another day of work on Strictly.

Gemma had a surprise from Gorka (Gemma Atkinson Instagram)

The festive elf could be seen lounging in a yellow chair with one leg crossed over the other. "Down for my coffee and found 'Will Mellor the elf' like this," Gemma wrote alongside the video with a crying laughing emoji. She then added: "Last seen with @gorka_marquez before he left for London."

Gorka is currently busy in rehearsals for week seven on Strictly after making it through with Helen Skelton. During Saturday night's live show, Countryfile presenter Helen channelled a sparkling Little Red Riding Hood while Gorka immersed himself into the role of the wolf during Strictly's Halloween special.

Helen and Gorka scored an impressive 32 for their Foxtrot to Lil’ Red Riding Hood by Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs on Saturday night, with Motsi Mabuse giving the pair the highest praise. “I honestly have to say I adore watching you dance," she told Helen, 39. "I see you getting stronger and stronger… I know it’s quite early but you are giving me some final vibes."

And on Sunday night it was revealed that Helen and Gorka will be appearing in week seven of the hit dance competition following the public vote. However, it did come down to the wire as despite host Tess Daly telling the couples they're called out in no particular order, the pair were left until the very end when it was revealed Fleur and Vito would be in the dance-off.

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