Gemma Atkinson: Mortified by Gorka's Suncream Prank Exposed by Airline

Celebrity couple Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez, known for their enduring romance that blossomed on the dance floor of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing, have shared a hilarious yet deeply embarrassing holiday incident that left Gemma ‘mortified’.

The incident, recounted on their joint podcast 'Lost in Translation', took place during the early days of their relationship, shortly after meeting on the popular dance competition in 2017. While Gemma was partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec and Gorka with Alexandra Burke, and both reached the final, it was their connection off-camera that truly began to flourish. A year later, they confirmed their relationship, and Valentine’s Day 2021 saw them announce their engagement. Today, they are proud parents to two children, Mia and Thiago.

The Tenerife Trip and Paparazzi Predicament

The particular holiday in question was a trip to Tenerife, a sun-drenched getaway that proved to be more eventful than anticipated. Gemma, 41, revealed on the podcast that this was the trip where unflattering paparazzi photos of them emerged, leaving her utterly mortified.

"That’s the one of us where those horrible pap pictures came out and I was mortified," Gemma shared. "It was Tenerife wasn’t it, straight after the tour we went. Those awful pictures came out of us on the beach."

Gorka, 33, offered his perspective, downplaying the severity of the photos but acknowledging the unexpected intrusion. "It wasn’t awful, we were just playing on the beach, it was the last day, and it was like a quiet beach," he explained. "We ordered food and the food came, so we were sat between two sunbeds, eating food, she was sat and then asked if I would put her suncream [on]."

Gorka's Suncream Shenanigans

It was at this seemingly innocent moment that Gorka decided to inject a bit of playful mischief, which ultimately led to the paparazzi’s opportunity. Instead of a gentle application, Gorka opted for a more dramatic approach.

"I was making a joke, instead of doing the suncream I squeezed the bottle of suncream all over her, so it was on her face," Gorka recounted, much to Gemma's chagrin. This spontaneous act of silliness was precisely when the lurking photographer seized their chance.

"At the same time, 500m away in the cliffs was this random paparazzi deciding to take pictures," he added. The result was a series of candid shots that captured the couple in what Gemma perceived as an unflattering light, compounded by the embarrassment of the suncream incident.

The Unexpected Airline Revelation

The story takes an even more amusing turn with the revelation of how the airline became inadvertently involved in exposing the source of the paparazzi’s tip-off. Gemma elaborated on the encounter with the photographer.

"That pap, he was alright, and we a..." Gemma began, before Gorka chimed in with further details that revealed the airline’s role. It seems the photographer, while professional, had been tipped off about their location, and the information had, in a roundabout way, been passed through the airline.

"The funny thing is, the airline, who was working with the photographer, they basically said, 'Oh, we know where they are,'" Gorka explained. "And the photographer was like, 'Oh, I’m not going to do anything, I’m not going to get them in trouble.'"

This sequence of events highlights the often-unseen machinations behind celebrity photography. While Gemma felt exposed and embarrassed by the photos, the story has since become a fond, albeit slightly cringeworthy, anecdote for the couple. It serves as a reminder of their journey from meeting on Strictly to building a family, with all the public attention and personal quirks that come with it.

Lessons Learned and Continued Love

Gemma Atkinson has often spoken candidly about the pressures of celebrity life and maintaining privacy, especially as a mother. This particular incident, while initially mortifying, now seems to be a testament to their strong bond and ability to laugh at themselves.

The 'Lost in Translation' podcast has provided a platform for Gemma and Gorka to share these intimate and humorous moments with their fans, offering a glimpse into their real lives beyond the glitz and glamour. Their journey, marked by dance-offs, suncream mishaps, and the joys of parenthood, continues to captivate audiences across the UK.

Fans continue to follow Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez’s every move, from their family updates to their professional endeavours. Their relatable honesty and enduring affection for one another make them one of Britain's most beloved celebrity couples.