Gemma Atkinson snubs ‘lover’ Gorka Marquez and insists she always wanted to dance with Aljaz Skorjanec

GEMMA Atkinson has dealt a blow to her Strictly squeeze Gorka Marquez by claiming she always wanted to dance with Aljaz Skorjanec, saying she clicked with him from the off.

The soap actress, who was paired with Aljaz but has got very close to Alexandra Burke's partner Gorka, said she told her mum she thought Aljaz was the perfect partner for her.

The conversation came up during the last episode of the spin-off show It Takes Two, as Gemma was asked by Zoe Ball how she felt about her pro partner when they met.

Gemma said: "I remember thinking 'I'm gonna get on with him' because straight away we looked at each other, didn't we, like this?

"And he said 'We're gonna have fun this season' and I said 'yeah'...

"But from Roehampton I actually said to my mum when we'd done the training and stuff, she said 'who are you dancing with?'.

"And I said, 'Height-wise it could be one of a few but there was one, Aljaz - I got on with him, I'd really like to dance with him. I think I'd have a laugh with him'.

"That's what I said to my mum!".

Her comments clash with numerous reports Gemma and Gorka are locked in a romance that began the very first time they set eyes on each other.

Sources claimed in September that she clicked with Gorka the moment they met in group rehearsals.

Within a week of the contest beginning, the pair posted Snapchat selfies from a living room and from the gym, looking cosy.

But Gemma also suggested over recent months that she might be back with former fling Ryan Giggs, after sharing a picture of her enjoying dinner with him.

In a December interview with Women's Health magazine, Gemma insisted she was still single - but she doesn't want to be.

She said: "No, I’m not dating anyone at the moment. I wish I was.

“I’d much rather be on my own and be happy than be in the wrong situation with the wrong person. I would love marriage and I would love kids, but not until I’m in a place where I’m ready for them.”

However, on December 9 The Sun reported that the relationship between the two stars had exploded into a fiery public row after Gemma spotted Gorka flirting with a fellow dancer.

After they survived the semi-final dance-off against Mollie and AJ, the pair were seen embracing in the studio, suggesting things are back on track.

Fans of the show ought to look out for similar moments this weekend - seeing as they're both in the final with their respective dancers.

The show kicks off at 6.30pm on Saturday on BBC One.

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