‘We’ve come close many times, but something stops me’

Last week, Strictly star Gorka Marquez spoke about his wedding to fiancée Gemma Atkinson, and why it’s on hold for now. Now, in a heartbreaking letter to mark Father’s Day, Gemma has revealed what’s behind her reluctance to tie the knot.

Former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star Gemma, 40, and Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka, 34, got engaged in 2021. The couple share two children together – Mia, six, and Thiago, two.

But despite being a happy little family, last year, Gemma and Gorka revealed their nuptials were being pushed back for another year. However, more than a year on, their wedding day is still on hold. And Gemma has shared a fresh insight as to why…

Gemma said that she is struggling to get married without her beloved dad there (Credit: Splash News)

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez wedding news

Speaking to OK! magazine last spring, Gemma explained why they still hadn’t set a date for their big day. Originally, she hinted they had envisioned getting wed when Mia was old enough to be part of the celebrations. But then she said that they wanted to wait until Thiago could be involved.

“We’d like Thiago to be involved now so we’re going to have to wait another year or so,” Gemma said in April 2024. “When we first got engaged we said we’ll get Mia walking down the aisle and then Thiago came along… and there’s no time!”

Gorka Marquez doesn’t seem to mind waiting to wed Gemma (Credit: Splash News)

‘It doesn’t matter’

Fast forward to June 2025, and still no wedding date is in the diary for the pair. Gorka – who took part in Soccer Aid over the weekend (June 15) – explained why to Hello! last week.

He said: “It will be nice, but we wanted to get married before, but then we had Mia. Then Covid happened. Then after Covid we got pregnant with Thiago. [Gemma] was like: ‘I’m not going to have a wedding pregnant and after the pregnancy she’s like I need to get in shape.’ And also Thiago now is still not independent so we say when they are old enough they both can walk and be independent. Imagine being on your wedding and he’s crying and just wants Mummy.”

I don’t want to lose that remaining tie to you.

Despite wanting to tie the knot with Gemma, Gorka added: “The thing is that we are going to get married, but we are happy how we are, we have two children. It doesn’t matter if we sign a document or not.”

The couple share two young children together (Credit: Splash News)

Gemma’s wedding heartbreak

However, in an open letter to her late dad over the weekend, Gemma has now shared why she is putting off her big day.

In a letter shared with OK!, she revealed that walking down the aisle without her late dad might just be too much to bear. Gemma’s dad David died of a heart attack when Gemma was 17 years old. He was 52.

Opening up, Gemma wrote: “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.”

She also told David about Gorka: “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. I wish you’d got to meet him. 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.”