Strictly Come Dancing’s Gorka Marquez shuts down Gemma Atkinson romance rumours

Gorka Marquez has shut down rumours of a romance with fellow Strictly star Gemma Atkinson.

Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka is said to have got close to soap actress Gemma, one of this year’s celebrity contestants.

However he’s insisted they’re nothing more than friends.

“We hang out together and do some workouts and I think she is beautiful,” said Gorka at the weekend. “But we are just friends.”

Also speaking out on the reports, Gemma told the Daily Star: “I really don’t want to talk about my love life to be honest. I don’t feel I need to respond to anyone about what I’m doing.”

She added: “I’ve had to talk about who I’m dating for the past 15 years. You’ve got to take everything with a pinch of salt.”

It was reported last week that Gemma and Gorka’s apparent closeness was causing tension backstage.

According to tabloid rumours, Gorka’s celeb partner Alexandra Burke wasn’t happy with him spending time with Gemma, who is partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec.

“Gorka and Gemma are together. It’s the talk of the make-up room,” an insider alleged to The Sun newspaper. “Not surprisingly, Alexandra is furious about how it might impact her chances of winning. She’s very ambitious and is nervous about it all.”

As for Gorka and Gemma, the insider added: “At this point she wouldn’t describe him as her boyfriend because they haven’t spent enough time together as they’re both focused on rehearsing.”

During Saturday’s live show Alexandra and Gemma sought to dispel the rumours as they posed together with other celeb contestants backstage eating pizza.

“What a wonderful time on @bbcstrictly @astonmerrygold @alexandramusic @therealdavood ???” Gemma captioned the snap on Instagram.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 continues next Saturday and Sunday night on BBC One.

13 celebs remain and another one will be eliminated in the latest results show.