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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Gemma Atkinson shares first scan picture of baby son as she makes observation and is praised by fans for 'candid' outlook

Gemma Atkinson has shared her first scan picture since announcing she is pregnant with her second child. The Hits Radio host announced back in January that she and her Strictly Come Dancing star fiance Gorka Marquez were preparing to expand their brood.

The loved-up couple, who met on the BBC One dance contest back in 2017, will be welcoming a little boy into the family. They shared the news alongside a string of black and white images which Gemma and dancer Gorka both posted to their Instagram pages after the mum-to-be said it was "impossible" to hide her growing bump any longer.

One image showed Gemma gazing at her blossoming bump before she grinned for a selfie with her husband-to-be and their little girl, Mia, as they wait to become a family of four - or six if you include Gemma's beloved dogs Ollie and Norman. She has since been keeping her followers updated on her pregnancy journey, having previously confirmed that her son is due in the summer.

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And taking to Instagram on Friday (March 17), the 38-year-old shared a motivational video which showed her through various stages of her life but one thing remained constant - exercise. The keen fitness advocate could be seen working out at the gym over the years, flexing her impressive muscles, as well as in training for Strictly Come Dancing almost six years ago with her dance partner Aljaž Škorjanec.

The dancer could be seen lifting Gemma before spinning her around before rolling her out back down to the floor. The pair made it to the final of the dance competition and have remained friends since with Aljaz and his wife Janette Manrara, who is pregnant with their first child, recently moving up North to Cheshire where they are closer to Gemma and Gorka.

The video also sees Gemma and Gorka working out together as well as away on holiday where the pair can be seen taking in the sea views under the sun. There were also pictures of Gemma during her first pregnancy with daughter Mia and when she was first born, including a video as the then-walking Mia joined her in her home gym.

The video then sweetly ended with a video of one of Gemma's scans clearly showing her and Gorka's growing unborn son. "Grateful I get to be on this journey again. The aches, swelling, niggles, changes all happening again," she typed alongside the video set to a motivational speech from Fearless Motivation, titled Struggle Makes You Stronger.

"Looking back at before Mia and whilst carrying Mia, the one consistent in all of my pictures from the last 10 years is appreciation for my body," the former Hollyoaks and Ememrdale star continued. "Regardless of its shape, size or age. Regardless of what others think or thought of it 'too big' 'too skinny' 'too muscular' 'still carrying baby weight' regardless of all that shit I read and heard, my body was functioning. It was moving. It’s still working and it’s making small steps to either becoming stronger, softer, curvier, healthier, adaptable to the job at hand. It never was or never is easy.

"Anyone who trains properly will tell you its hard, and anyone who’s carried and delivered a baby will tell you it was extremely hard. Regardless, we STILL show up. We move, we adapt and we get the job done. It amazes me what my body is capable of and it actually makes me quite emotional that so many people think and speak badly about themselves when by just showing up daily you are doing so much!

"Keep going at what you set out to do. Keep fuelling, keep moving, keep living and keep appreciating the Greatest instrument you will ever own. YOUR BODY. Treat it with kindness, because it’s hard to feel bad about a body you’re taking care of. Mentally and physically, you’re stronger than you think."

Gemma shared a precious look at her unborn son (Gemma Atkinson Instagram)

She then added at the end of her post as she looked at the clipe from her scan: "And it’s clear my baby boy already knows this, his dukes are already up!" And the video was quickly flooded with praise for Gemma and her 'candid' approach to her body and pregnancy.

@meganlaurarosegreeves said: "Such a lovely video!!! What an inspiration you are." @andrews_forever_home_no.67 commented: "You are just gorgeous inside and out." @harperjerm wrote: "This is everything!! Amazing what our bodies can do! The most powerful and amazing instrument we will ever own! Go girl."

@mayhewmandy shared: "Your doing fantastic Gemma you do what’s best for you and your body and screw the rest of them ." @oldfield_ruth posted: "I love your posts. They are uplifting, practical, educational and your body is beautiful." @lynettedaffern78 typed: "Such an inspiration to women. Always positive and always kind….and funny! Best combo."

@packsta74 replied: "My god lady you are a beast absolute inspiration to me, amazing." @auntieh.helen shared: "Yes Gemma! Absolutely love this. you truly are an inspiration. Love how honest, candid and down to earth you are. Keep being you and all the best for baby no. 2, exciting times for your lovely little family. @ladylivingstone_x added: "Love your candid outlook on it all, very real, very transparent, love it much love to you and your wee family."

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