'Ore has been training me'
‘Ore has been training me’
starinterview
Gemma Atkinson is getting tips from the best before appearing on strictly Come Dancing
A
Photos: shutterstock
ctress Gemma Atkinson is well and truly in the festival spirit when we bump into her backstage at V, rocking plaits in her hair and wearing a sparkly green jacket. The former Emmerdale star looks stunning in minimal make-up, but the next time we see her, she’ll be sporting a far less natural look as she’s signed up to the glitz and glamour of Strictly! When we chat to her, Gemma tells us that she’s always wanted to take part in the hit show and she’s in it to win it. The 32-year-old also reveals why she’ll be ditching the gym during training, the advice last year’s winner Ore Oduba has given her and which pro dancer she has her eye on…
Gem’s taking a break from the gym
Hi Gemma! How does it feel to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing? I’m very excited! Are you nervous about the routines? anything, I don’t want to let my partner A little bit, but I’m more excited now. I’ve just down. Score-wise, I would like to get been speaking to Ore and he’s been giving better each week. me a few tips. Could you see yourself winning What advice did he give you? the glitterball trophy? He told me to take it week by week, to enjoy I’d love to get to the final, but like it and not put too much pressure on myself. Ore said, “Don’t think about that! Which professional dancer do you Take it week by week.” That’s want as your partner? what I’m doing. Of course we I think they’re all great. As long as it’s would all love to. someone taller than me, I don’t mind. Will you be able to keep up Are you looking forward to meeting your gym regime? the other celebrities? I’m going to have a rest from the I don’t know them all. I’ve been gym while I’m doing it because I’ll interviewed by Ruth Langsford be dancing for seven or eight loads of times and I think she’s hours a day. The good thing is I’m absolutely brilliant. I’m a fan of going to be able to eat more! n The Saturdays, so Mollie King GeorGiA FArquHArson she’s excited to will be lovely. I love JLS’s Aston meet Mollie Merrygold as well. Have you always wanted to go on Strictly? It’s the show that everyone wants to do, but I’m one of those people who believes everything comes for you at the right time. So when they offered it to me, I thought, “This is the right time now.” Have you ever danced before? No. Well, I did disco dancing when I was ten, but no training or anything. I didn’t even go to theatre school or stage school! Would you say you’re competitive? I’d say I’m more competitive with myself. I’m Gemma as Carly in Emmerdale going to graft and graft because, more than
ST703_023_INT-GEMMAA-S.indd 23
25/08/2017 14:52
starinterview
Gemma Atkinson is getting tips from the best before appearing on strictly Come Dancing
A
Photos: shutterstock
ctress Gemma Atkinson is well and truly in the festival spirit when we bump into her backstage at V, rocking plaits in her hair and wearing a sparkly green jacket. The former Emmerdale star looks stunning in minimal make-up, but the next time we see her, she’ll be sporting a far less natural look as she’s signed up to the glitz and glamour of Strictly! When we chat to her, Gemma tells us that she’s always wanted to take part in the hit show and she’s in it to win it. The 32-year-old also reveals why she’ll be ditching the gym during training, the advice last year’s winner Ore Oduba has given her and which pro dancer she has her eye on…
Gem’s taking a break from the gym
Hi Gemma! How does it feel to be taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing? I’m very excited! Are you nervous about the routines? anything, I don’t want to let my partner A little bit, but I’m more excited now. I’ve just down. Score-wise, I would like to get been speaking to Ore and he’s been giving better each week. me a few tips. Could you see yourself winning What advice did he give you? the glitterball trophy? He told me to take it week by week, to enjoy I’d love to get to the final, but like it and not put too much pressure on myself. Ore said, “Don’t think about that! Which professional dancer do you Take it week by week.” That’s want as your partner? what I’m doing. Of course we I think they’re all great. As long as it’s would all love to. someone taller than me, I don’t mind. Will you be able to keep up Are you looking forward to meeting your gym regime? the other celebrities? I’m going to have a rest from the I don’t know them all. I’ve been gym while I’m doing it because I’ll interviewed by Ruth Langsford be dancing for seven or eight loads of times and I think she’s hours a day. The good thing is I’m absolutely brilliant. I’m a fan of going to be able to eat more! n The Saturdays, so Mollie King GeorGiA FArquHArson she’s excited to will be lovely. I love JLS’s Aston meet Mollie Merrygold as well. Have you always wanted to go on Strictly? It’s the show that everyone wants to do, but I’m one of those people who believes everything comes for you at the right time. So when they offered it to me, I thought, “This is the right time now.” Have you ever danced before? No. Well, I did disco dancing when I was ten, but no training or anything. I didn’t even go to theatre school or stage school! Would you say you’re competitive? I’d say I’m more competitive with myself. I’m Gemma as Carly in Emmerdale going to graft and graft because, more than
ST703_023_INT-GEMMAA-S.indd 23
25/08/2017 14:52
