Strictly’s Simon Rimmer denies having a ‘one-night-stand’ with Gemma Atkinson amid rumours of secret romp between dancers

SIMON Rimmer has been forced to respond to online rumours that he had a fling with Strictly co-star Gemma Atkinson.

The Sunday Brunch host, 54, was quizzed by a fan over selfies he'd posed for with soap star Gemma, 33, during their training for the show - though she was linked to dancer Gorka Marquez, now revealed to be dating someone else behind her back.

The regular selfies led to claims online that the single pair - who have been in touch over WhatsApp messenger - had got close.

But after a fan demanded to know the truth on Twitter, married Simon decided to set the record straight.

The bald TV chef described the Emmerdale pin-up as "like a daughter" - and eventually Gemma responded too, apparently finding the accusation hilarious.

The curious fan tweeted: "I’ve been told that it was @MissGAtkinson and @simonrim who had a one night stand?? This has to be a mistake surely #strictlyonenightstand #StrictlyComeDancing #strictly."

Cheshire-born Simon - married to wife Ali, 50 - dutifully replied: "Gemma is like a daughter to me and has become a friend of all my family. I think it’s funny."

Adding to the response, Gemma quoted Simon's tweet and added: "Howling", alongside three crying with laughter emojis.

Later Simon took the joke further by asking Gemma: "Do you think we need to be quiet about our date on Weds with my wife and 23 of our friends Gem? x".

Previously, northern beauty Gemma gushed about Si online, writing: "genuinely feel like I've known @rimmersimon my whole life. Love him!".

Simon was ejected from the show in week six after being paired with Karen Clifton, who was recently exposed for cheating on husband and fellow dancer Kevin.

Meanwhile Gemma, who made the final of the BBC show last weekend, developed a romance with Alexandra Burke's partner Gorka, 28.

Despite being paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, Gemma was seen spending a lot of quality time with Gorka, including time spent at a hotel, and they hugged on the Strictly dancefloor when she was saved from elimination.

However, it's also been claimed that Gorka is secretly dating a personal trainer behind Gemma's back.

Despite getting cosy with the star, the Spaniard has been romancing Georgie Harris, 23, in recent weeks with sources saying the pair had a fling earlier this year and were seen cosying up to one another last Sunday.

Meanwhile, while Gemma recovers from last night, fellow Strictly Come Dancing finalist Debbie McGee is already getting back to work and is resuming her role in panto.

The 59-year-old was forced to postpone her appearance to avoid it clashing with the Strictly Come Dancing final.

Debbie is playing fairy Adorabella Marigold Angelpie alongside Blue's Antony Costa and former Coronation Street star Ken Morley.

The actual winner of Strictly, Joe McFadden, has moaned about being single and unemployed following his success - as his character in Holby City died earlier this month.

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