Gemma Atkinson mum had surprising reaction to backlash star faced for 'pinching her son'

• Showbiz
• Gemma Atkinson

Gemma Atkinson has opened up on the childhood discipline techniques used by her mum Sandra, after she sparked outrage by pinching her son Thiago on social media.

Gemma Atkinson has shared her mum's reaction after the star was criticised for disciplining her son.(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Gemma Atkinson has revealed what her mum really thought about the backlash she sparked after pinching her son Thiago.

In October, Gemma told her Instagram followers she punched the youngster after he did the same to his five-year-old sister Mia. Her actions were criticised by many including Jo Studholme, editor of Parenting Expert, who said such a punishment "can be harmful".

She told the Mail Online: "It teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflict. Instead, try using positive discipline techniques such as time-outs, loss of privileges, or talking calmly to the child about their behaviour."

In a fresh interview, the 40-year-old actress recounted her mum Sandra's astonishment at the controversy, telling Women's Health magazine: "When that whole thing came up, my mum said, 'Christ Gemma, I used to chase you around the house with a b****y slipper'."

Gemma also shared that her mum is her rock when it comes to parenting advice. She added: "Mia, bless her, went through a biting phase. At the time, I was saying to my mum, 'Why is she biting everything? ' Like, everyone who comes round, she's trying to bite them! "

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez with their two children Mia and Thiago(Image: UKTV)

"She said, 'They do, she's finding her teeth. It's frustration, it's what they do'."

After the uproar, Gemma took to Instagram to defend her actions amidst the parenting controversy, reports the Liverpool Echo.

At the time, she revealed: "Thiago is going through that phase where he's nipping and biting. I said he really nipped Mia the other day so I went like this back to him (gesturing pinching), and said 'Aye, we don't nip'. I didn't 'ugh' (insinuating pain as she pinched her own arm), as if I would!"

Gemma shares her two children with Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez, who she met through the BBC show in 2017. The couple got engaged four years later during a stroll together on Valentine's Day, but are yet to tie the knot.