Gemma Atkinson, 34, made it to the Strictly Come Dancing final of the 2017 series. However, the former Hollyoaks star has revealed in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, performing on the show was the least fittest she’d ever been. Gemma told Express.co.uk: “Performing on Strictly was the least fittest I’d been in a long time. I gained weight on Strictly.
“I know dancing is training and it is exercise but for me it was a lot less intense to what I was used too.”
She continued: “I’m not saying it’s not exercise. It was great for my leg muscles and stuff. But it was just a step down from the exercise that I was used too.”
However, the beauty admitted her Strictly dance partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, 28, would bring her white chocolate Toblerones.
Gemma said: “During training myself and Aljaž just ate what we wanted during the social time of it.
“Aljaž used to bring me white chocolate Toblerones.”
It appeared the professional dancer did not stop there when it came to spoiling Gemma with tasty food treats.
The actress said: “One time I cried during week ten, I had a breakdown during the Rumba and the way he cheered me up was by taken me to an all you can eat Chinese buffet.
“It worked because it put a right big smile on my face.”
She continued: “We did the dance and we smashed it. It was just a case of when to dance, have fun, eat what you like and kind of relax for a month.”
Meanwhile the radio host is currently on a book tour as she promotes her first fitness book titled The Ultimate Body Plan.
The book features food recipes and a 12-week workout plan.
Speaking about the book, Gemma said: “It is more of a book which changes you from the inside. It’s about mentally feeling good as well.
“It’s not just a physical transformation whereby if you stop doing it your going to rebound and gain all the weight again.
“Or you’ll hit a certain and weight and be miserable, cutting out things you love.”
She continued: “It’s about a lifestyle change and a overhaul and a realisation that everyone deserves to be the best version of themselves.”
The Ulimate Body Plan is available online and all good bookstores.