Gemma Atkinson has addressed rumours she's set to take part in a celebrity version of Gladiators.
The hit 90s TV show make its highly-anticipated comeback earlier this year on the BBC, with Bradley and Barney Walsh as hosts. Due to its success, a star-studded version of the competition is in the pipeline. Former Emmerdale star Gemma was among those "desperate" to take part and even asked her team to get in touch with casting chiefs.
The fitness fan, 39, was begged by a fan to reveal more details about the show. They said: "Please tell me you've been asked to do celebrity gladiators? My 6 year old little girl thinks you'd smash it." However, Gemma decided to address the speculation head on as she replied: "I heard about this little rumour!
"It was news to me [laughing emoji]. No chats have been had. I loved the original show as a kid & I'm glad it's back for the next generation to watch, but I wouldn't put Gorks and Mia through the stress of trying to watch me climb that wall. Happy to sit it out & watch from home."
It comes after a source told The Mirror : “Gemma heard that a celebrity special was in the pipeline, and said to her agent she would love to be involved. Gladiators was Gemma’s favourite show as a kid, and, because she’s so into fitness now, it would be her dream gig. Talks are ongoing – the show team are thrilled that she is so keen.”
Gemma previously shared how Gladiator Jet inspired her love of fitness. The radio DJ and former Hollyoaks actress – who has two children with Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez – wrote on Instagram : “This lady here (Jet) was the reason I started going to the gym and training. I used to love Gladiators.”
The Gladiators reboot attracted 8.7million viewers and has been commissioned for a second series. Show producer Dan Baldwin confirmed there will be a spin-off celebrity version. Dan – the managing director of Hungry Bear Media and husband of Holly Willoughby – said: “I can reveal we are going to do a celebrity special.
“You always look at old shows no longer on television. You are always coming up with new ways of bringing back a show. There’s nothing wrong with that because those shows were great for a reason. We’ve always got an eye on what could come back and be a hit like Gladiators is.”
Gemma's husband Gorka Márquez is also set to return to TV screens soon after she "accidentally confirmed" he'll be back on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The mum-of-two shared a now-deleted post about childcare where she allegedly wrote: "Depending on Gorka's partner and whether he has a partner, depending on where they're based, he doesn't know where he is. All the childcare lands on my family because obviously all his family are in Spain."
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