Gemma Atkinson thinks her boyfriend Gorka Marquez is "very funny."

Gemma Atkinson

Gemma Atkinson

The former 'Emmerdale' star has been dating the 'Strictly Come Dancing' professional for the past few months after meeting him on the ballroom and latin show last year and she thinks their relationship works because he makes her laugh.

Speaking on Key 103 breakfast show today (19.02.18), she said: "Obviously we worked together I've known him for six months now.

"During the show we only saw each other at weekends everyone was saying 'oh they're together' but we genuinely weren't. We just went for coffee and stuff on Sundays, not every Sunday, you can't get to know someone just by seeing them at weekends. It was only when the tour started that we saw each other all the time and we thought: 'Oh OK, this could work.' And it did, and it does so far!

"He's very funny, I like the fact that he's funny he makes me laugh and because he's in London and I'm in Manchester I think that's a good thing because you both have to make an effort to see each other. When you're working with someone it's very convenient and easy I'm very aware of that and when you're separated that's when you have to make the effort and it's sweet that's nice."

The couple speak every day and are glad they didn't rush into the relationship.

The 33-year-old actress explained: "He is very lovely. Someone messaged me and said 'I can't believe you've lied to us you were together all this time' but we genuinely weren't, I would never get with someone that quickly. The reason it's nice is that we have known each other for six months now before it came to anything. Until we could spend time together outside of 'Strictly...' after Christmas none of us really knew."

The pair recently holidayed together in Spain and Gemma was blown away when she returned to their room to find a bouquet of flowers on their bed.

She said: "We spent the day at the beach, he's Spanish so obviously he speaks the language. It was so much easier ordering food. We got back to the hotel room and there was this massive bouquet of roses he'd left for me it was really nice."


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