BBC Strictly Come Dancing star rushes to defend fiancee after viewers brand her 'manly'

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have hit back after cruel trolls brand her ‘manly’. The BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Gorka, who shares two children with ITV Emmerdale and Channel 4 Hollyoaks alum Gemma, has defended his fiancee.

Writing on her social media she said: “A dude told me that I look like a dude, I told him if he lifted like me, he could look like one too.” A second typed: “She needs to lay off the daily work outs, her thigh is the size of his head.”

Another troll added: “She’s bulking up like a bloke, too much Gemma.” The 39-year-old former soap star told her followers on Instagram yesterday (Wednesday October 23): “Remember people like his will always exist. Jealous and insecure because you’re doing something that they can’t.

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"Full of self hate because you’re happy and full of self-doubt because you’re confident. Don’t let them stop you being you. Don’t let that stop you working on your health, your goals ,keep doing what you love. Keep having fun even when they try to stop you.”

Gorka, meanwhile, wrote: “When the woman has the frame of a man and vice versa, he looks like a mouse next to him.” He said: “I look like a little mouse, that cracks me up.” Rushing to support mum-of-two Gemma, Strictly pro Karen Hauer commented: “Yes Gemma.”

Another person added: “You are both on fire as couple goals.” And BBC Strictly It Takes Two host, Fleur East added: “Ha ha I love this! Not that you need the validation, but your strength is inspiring and I don’t mean just physical strength.

"I mean, mentally, the focus you have. Crack on mama!" Gemma has two children with Gorka, daughter Mia and son Thiago, with the latter born in the summer of 2022.