Gemma Atkinson lashes out at 'offensive' Strictly curse rumours - 'It's asking if he'll cheat this year?'

Gemma Atkinson has hit back at 'Strictly curse' rumours as she branded them "offensive".

The 39 year old former Hollyoaks star is engaged to Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez, 33, and the pair share two children together. He's set to hit the dance floor once again later this year, but his celebrity pairing hasn't yet been announced.

The 'Strictly curse' was penned after some show stars have ended up in a relationship with their pro partners, with romance developing due to the long periods of time spent together training, and the closeness of the dancing.

But Gemma doesn't let the rumours bother her as she addressed the curse when speaking to Woman magazine.

She said: "It's quite offensive - not to me, but to Gorka and his celebrity partner, or to anyone on the show. You are more or less saying to them 'are you going to cheat on your partner this year then?'

"If I walked into an office and asked that, everyone would be like 'why would I do that? But because it's a TV show we are asked every year 'Is this the year he will cheat?'

"Nobody says to Gorka 'is there a Strictly curse at home?"

Gemma and Gorka went from strength to strength after meeting on the show, getting engaged in 2021. Gorka is still one of Strictly's best-loved professionals but the BBC show's gruelling schedule makes it hard for him to spend time with his family while competing in the series.

The ballroom and latin dancer trains with a celebrity partner Monday to Friday, and is then busy with the live show on Saturdays, making Sunday his only day off. However, the couple revealed they have one rule they stick to during filming to ensure they make time for each other.

"Gorka always comes home, even when he's absolutely exhausted and even if it's just for a few hours, he'll do the drive or get the train home, just to spend time with us," Gemma told Metro.co.uk.

Despite the long hours, Gorka insisted he won't be quitting Strictly any time soon. "It is hard being away due to my job and missing the family but a lot of people work away, including my dad when I was growing up. I won't be leaving," revealed Gorka.

The couple are set to return to the small screen as their popular show Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens gets a second series on W.

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