Gemma Atkinson ‘in talks for Gladiators special' as she's 'desperate' to feature
Ex-Emmerdale actress and Strictly Come Dancing star, Gemma Atkinson, 39, has revealed which TV show she’d like to star in next.
According to a source at the Mirror, Gemma has reportedly expressed her interest in starring in the celebrity spin-off of Gladiators. The show returned in January 2024 with brand-new Gladiators and hosts, Bradley and Barney Walsh and the relaunch was hugely successful.
Applications for series two of the show are currently open. And the BBC confirmed a celebrity series in April 2024 with a social media post that read: “Which celebs would you like to see take on the Gladiators in a special? #Gladitors.'
Gemma has apparently let the BBC know her interest in the series according to a TV source at the Mirror. The insider said: “Gemma heard that a celebrity special was in the pipeline, and said to her agent she would love to be involved.
“Gladiators was Gemma’s favourite show as a kid, and, because she’s so into fitness now, it would be her dream gig. Talks are ongoing – the show team are thrilled that she is so keen.”
Gemma is a huge fan of the show, and in 2018, the actress revealed Gladiators was the reason she went on her fitness journey - in particular, Jet. Gemma took to social media and wrote: “This lady here (Jet) was the reason I started going to the gym and training. I used to love Gladiators.”
OK! has reached out to Gemma's reps and ITV for comment.
Gemma often shares details of her workouts and gym regimens on her social media as well as family updates. Gemma met her partner Gorka Márquez on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 where she finished in second place.
The pair then went on to become engaged in 2021 and they welcomed two children, the first in 2019, Mia, and their second baby, Thiago, in July 2023. Currently, Gorka is away from home while he judges the Spanish version of Strictly Come Dancing, Bailando con las Estrellas.
Speaking on her Hits Radio show, which she co-hosts with Mike Toolan, Gemma opened up about her home life with Gorka.
"He's away for five weeks now, who knows where, He's all over the shop. It is tough and it isn't - it takes a village they say with kids and I'm very fortunate that my mum and my sister are very close by.”
She went on to add: "It's all me and Gorka have known, so sometimes it is easier for me to get into the routine with the children whilst he's not here and then he comes back and ruins the routine." She however noted that he's "nice to have around the house".
