With Strictly Come Dancing still going ahead with a 2020 series, some big changes have had to be made due to the ongoing pandemic.
One of those is the possibility of the professionals involved with the show having to self-isolate with their dance partner away from their families.
Former contestant Gemma Atkinson has now opened up about the possibility of her partner Gorka Marquez having to spend some time away from her and their almost 1-year-old baby girl Mia, who was born last July, when the show starts later this year.
"I think after lockdown it will be nice, a nice break from him," she said during an appearance on Loose Women today (July 3).
"I think it’s whatever is safest and in lockdown the positive for us is we have never been as together for this long, when Mia was three days old Gorka had to go away on tour so when Strictly starts they go wherever their partner is based.
"So if it wasn’t lockdown but his partner was based in London he would have to go to London anyway because you work around your dance partner, so either way it would be the same, to be honest."
She added: "It’s just a case you have to be more careful with me going to visit because of social distancing and Mia, you don’t want to bring anything home."
Related: Gemma Atkinson opens up about plans to have another baby with Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez
Gemma, who was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec when she was part of the show in 2017, added she wasn't bothered about the so called 'Strictly curse'.
"It’s his job, his job is so professional and I know everyone else sees Strictly as this three months and it’s this curse or whatever but Gorka has been dancing and touring and doing competitions with dance partners since he was nine so it’s just what he does," she said.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
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Strictly Come Dancing - Motsi & Anton's Strictly The Best [DVD] [2021]
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Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley and Craig's Perfect 10 [DVD]
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Catherine was Digital Spy's News Editor between 2018 and 2024. Prior to that she worked at OK! Online, and has interviewed a slew of celebrities across her career in entertainment news, including Tom Hanks, Cheryl and Noel Fielding. Catherine also has specialist knowledge in all things drag, interviewing a huge portion of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4’s show Drag SOS. LinkedIn
