Gemma Atkinson has opened up about how Oprah Winfrey may be the reason why she met her fiancé, Gorka Marquez and had their two children.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine, the Edenfield Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary ambassador said she initially turned down an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, where she met professional dancer Gorka.
She said: “When I was first offered Strictly I said no and my agent was like,‘but this is a really big opportunity’.
“It was a massive show, but I didn’t know why anyone would put themselves through that.”
At a juice retreat, she came across Oprah Winfrey’s biography, and a single sentence changed the course of her life and encouraged her to go on the show.
Gemma said: “I went to a juice retreat and every room has a little book, and mine was the Oprah Winfrey book.
“I picked it up, flicked the page and on the page it landed on, in massive writing, it said ‘if you have a chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you choose to dance’.
“I called [my agent] and said I have changed my mind. I want to do Strictly.
“I said I just have a feeling I am supposed to do that show, and lo and behold, it was because my future family was waiting for me.”
Gorka was not Gemma’s professional partner, but the pair met on the Strictly tour after the main show ended.
Gemma and Gorka have two children together, Mia and Thiago, and are engaged. Earlier this year, Gemma revealed plans to get married next year.
The former Hollyoaks star has also released a book called Let’s Get Ready. It features fun tips and tricks to help children get ready for school in the morning.
Gemma said: “I realised having two children than simple things can take so long [when getting ready for school].
"We thought we could find a way to make it fun and that’s what we wanted to do with Let’s Get Ready. It’s not as stressful for parents then.”
Watch Gemma’s Lorraine interview on ITVX.
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