Gemma Atkinson could be heard admitting she was “too big” on seeing Strictly Come Dancing 2019’s Viscountess Emma Weymouth with Aljaz Skorjanec. The former Hollyoaks favourite was partnered with the latter BBC professional in 2017, with the pair making the final. And today the actress, 34, was reunited with the 29-year-old at Elstree, paying a visit with fellow pro, boyfriend Gorka Marquez, 29. She watched a number of the rehearsals by this year’s line-up from the empty audience seats, before remarking on the difference between herself and the model and socialite, 33.
In a video shared with her 1.2 million Instagram followers, Gemma light-heartedly claimed Aljaz was unable to life her.
“I’ve just watched Aljaz and Emma’s dance,” she started. “Very, very, very good.”
She continued while sat with Gorka: “He couldn’t lift me like that, could he? Because I’m too big.”
Her Spanish beau immediately shut down her suggestions: “Of course he did. He lifted you.”
Laughing, she reiterated her point: “But I was too big to be lifted.”
Gemma competed in the 15th run of the competition, which was eventually won by Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.
However, she wowed fans weekly with her numbers and was in the final with Debbie McGee and Alexandra Burke.
The latter hitmaker danced with Gorka, and he and Gemma confirmed they were an item the following Valentine’s Day.
Her upload comes after the couple enjoyed a cinema date night yesterday, when they went to watch Joker.
“Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve left the cinema speechless. Darker than I expected but extremely thought provoking. Bravo Joaquin Phoenix,” she posted afterwards.
She went on to document her backstage trip to Strictly, enjoying another catch up, this time with fellow Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher.
Taking time out from practising with pro Oti Mabuse, he joked around with Gemma and Gorka in the stands.
“I’m at Strictly,” Gemma had said. “I’ve just watched Kelvin and Oti, and I’ve just watched Karen [Clifton] and Chris [Ramsay]. Both really, really good. Really good.”
“It’s a good show tonight,” she said, as Gorka told Kelvin: “When I see Kelvin, I think I’m seeing a young version of me dancing.”
“I’ll take that!” the Andy Sugden star told him, quipping: “Slightly uglier version, yeah?“
“Muscly! More muscly than me,” the fitness fanatic remarked back as a joke.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 continues tonight at 6.35pm on BBC One.