Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez present their lives ‘unfiltered’ in new sequence
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elebrity couple Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez will seem in a brand new documentary sequence which is able to give viewers an “intimate glimpse” into their lives whereas additionally displaying the journey of their second being pregnant.
The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 when Atkinson was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec and dance skilled Marquez was with Alexandra Burke.
Gemma And Gorka: Life Behind The Lens has been commissioned by UKTV’s free-to-air leisure channel W and catch-up service UKTV Play.
The couple, who welcomed daughter Mia in 2019 and introduced their engagement in 2021, mentioned: “We’re so excited to be working with W on a project which not only takes people into our lives behind closed doors, but also one that raises awareness of vaginal birth after Caesarean delivery, and an honest look into the journey of a second pregnancy after a previous traumatic birth.
“We get lots of questions from people who have experienced something similar so it will be a great way for viewers to receive information from professionals who we meet along the way.”
During Mia’s delivery, actress and radio presenter Atkinson, 38, wanted an emergency C-section when the child’s coronary heart charge dropped abruptly. Atkinson additionally suffered a haemorrhage after the delivery, dropping practically a litre of blood.
Atkinson, who rose to fame on Channel 4 cleaning soap Hollyoaks and can also be a drive-time host for Hits Radio, mentioned of the sequence: “We’d been approached and had inquiries about doing reality shows previously but the timing was never right.
“Although it’s always lovely to be asked, we haven’t even done a joint at home photoshoot together.
“When the W channel approached us though, it was different in that they wanted it to be an informative documentary alongside our personal lives.
“Digging into why some of us end up having emergency C-sections and postpartum haemorrhages like I had, and showing the daunting reality of having another baby after a previous traumatic birth. That was the game-changer as I’m asked about it by so many women who had similar circumstances.
“To be able to sit and film with midwives, pelvic floor specialists, doctors and get all that info, as well as showing the chaos we live in as parents, we thought it’d help a lot of people.
We wanted it to be raw, unfiltered and honest so there’s no ‘glam squad’ beforehand. It’s real life day-to-day
“Plus it’s nice to show people that despite what we do for a living, we’re still very much trying to juggle family life, Gorka working away, social lives and be on time for preschool drop off like everyone else.
“We’re hoping it shows people that every parent is ultimately winging it. We all make mistakes and that’s okay. Throughout each day things will get broken or spilt or appointments missed etc. It’s total and utter chaos with two dogs, a toddler, a Spanish dancer who works away and a heavily pregnant northern bird.
“But we try our best and get by regardless. We wanted it to be raw, unfiltered and honest so there’s no ‘glam squad’ beforehand. It’s real life day-to-day. I guess it’s the stuff that people don’t see, especially away from the glitter and glam of Strictly in Gorka’s case.”
Marquez has been on Strictly since 2016 and has made it to the present’s remaining on three events – in 2017 with singer Burke, in 2020 with actress Maisie Smith, and final yr with Helen Skelton.
He has additionally been touring with Strictly co-star Karen Hauer, performing within the UK tour of Firedance – a passionate dance theatre present.
Adam Collings, channel director for W, mentioned of the sequence which is because of air in the summertime: “We’re honoured to have Gemma and Gorka’s new documentary series as part of our programming line-up on W.
“Viewers will get an intimate glimpse into the lives of Gemma and Gorka behind the scenes and it’s sure to be a fun, heart-warming and enjoyable series that is a perfect fit for our audience.”
Helen Nightingale, UKTV’s head of factual and factual leisure, mentioned: “I’m thrilled to be commissioning this new series. Gemma and Gorka are a hilariously down to earth and relatable couple who I can’t wait for audiences to get to know better, both as a couple and family unit, as they navigate through the ups and downs of their expanding family.”