Gemma Atkinson has opened up about why she hasn’t yet married her Spanish fiancé, Strictly professional dancer Gorka Marquez, with whom she shares two children, Mia and Thiago. In a touching open letter, she spoke to her late father David, who tragically died from a heart attack at the age of 52 when Gemma was just 17.
Gemma admits that the thought of getting married without him there is almost too much to bear – his painful absence being one of the reasons she hasn’t tied the knot yet. She said: “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 about her future spouse, Gemma poignantly expressed that she believes her late father would have been a huge fan of him and their two lovely children – children who, she sadly reflects, he will never get to meet,” reports Wales Online.
Speaking about her future husband, Gemma movingly shared that she believes her late father would have adored him and their two beautiful children – children who, she sadly acknowledges, he will never get to meet.
“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.”
She continued: “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, reports the Mirror.
“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.”
The former Strictly professional and radio host reveals she ensures her father’s memory remains very much present within her close-knit family.
“I talk to Thiago and Mia about you all the time. They call you GanGan David. We’ve got a picture of you in the house and Mia thinks GanGan David lives on the moon and you can’t get out.
“She always asks us how we can rescue you. When our dogs died it was devastating, but Mia took comfort in the fact you were looking after them somewhere. I really believe you are.”
In January, Gorka offered an insight into their wedding arrangements, reassuring supporters that he and Gemma will walk down the aisle when little Thiago is more independent.
He elaborated: “We will do it, it’s just not at the moment. We are very good like this, especially with having the kids. Thiago is not independent yet so we don’t want to go into the wedding and be carrying him or halfway through the wedding he starts screaming that he only wants mummy, you know?!”