Fans will already be aware that the Hits Radio host and professional dancer fell in love in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom back in 2017
Gemma Atkinson has opened up about why she thinks 'something stops her' from ploughing ahead with her wedding plans with fiancé Gorka Marquez.
Fans will already be aware that the Hits Radio host and professional dancer fell in love in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom back in 2017
The loved-up couple recently celebrated their seventh anniversary, went 'official' with their relationship in early 2018 after competing in the BBC One dance contest.
Gemma and Gorka later got engaged in 2021 and are now proud parents to two children - daughter Mia, five, and one-year-old son Thiago.
But the couple are yet to officially tie the knot. It was back in March that Gemma was last quizzed on her wedding plans. At the time, she implored her followers to ask her a question and she was quickly quizzed on family life.
One of her followers asked: "Will you be getting married soon?" Sharing a throwback snap of herself and Gorka, Gemma wrote in response: "Possibly next year... We've been back and forth about registry offices/going to Spain.
None of us want a big fuss or lots of guests so we may just go and do it with just family and come back and have a huge party! I've never wanted a big white wedding. More than happy with a lovely small one [red heart emoji]. We feel married anyway."
Now, in a heartbreaking letter to mark Father’s Day, Gemma has revealed what may be behind her reluctance to tie the knot.
Gemma wrote the emotional letter to her beloved dad David, who tragically died of a heart attack at just 52, when Gemma, now 40, was just 17.
She penned for OK! Magazine: "I’m getting married, Dad! One day, anyway. I think one of the reasons we’ve not done it yet is because of you. We’ve come close many times, but something stops me.
"I’m now the last Atkinson in the family line and if I give up my name, there’s no more of us. I don’t want to lose that remaining tie to you. Not having you walk me down the aisle... maybe I’ll just stay engaged for a bit longer.
Speaking of her future husband, Gemma also said poignantly that she felt her late father would be a fan of her beau, and shared her sadness at her children not being able to meet their grandfather.
"I think you’d be really happy with my choice of fiancé. You’d get such a kick out of Gorka being a professional dancer – you loved to dance – and I know you’d adore your grandchildren. Just like you adored me.
"I wish you’d got to meet him. There have been many times where he would have benefitted from your advice. You travelled so much for work and Gorka needs to be away a lot too. I remember when Mia was born, he had to leave for a tour when she was three days old.
"It broke his heart but I know you’d have helped him. I can hear your voice, saying, 'I get it pal, I had to do the same. You’ll get through it.' I often feel sad that he never got to shake your hand. You only ever met my high school boyfriend. That’s hard for me."
