FORMER Strictly star Gemma Atkinson has publicly defended herself against cruel trolls who body shamed her after her red carpet appearance at the Pride of Britain awards this week.
The fitness influencer who attended the event with her partner, Strictly pro dancer Gorka Martinez, has been targeted by trolls who blasted her for having a ‘manly’physique.
Others commented on her appearance next to her slender partner, whom she met while competing on Strictly in 2017.
But now the mother-of-two who is ultra dedicated to her daily fitness regime, has taken a stand to silence the trolls.
Writing on her social media she said: “ A dude told me that I look like a dude, I told him if he lifted like me, he could look like one too.”
Other vile comments include one troll saying: “She needs to lay off the daily work outs, her thigh is the size of his head.”
Another trolls added: “She’s bulking up like a bloke, too much Gemma.”
The 39-year-old told her followers: “Remember people like his will always exist.
Jealous and insecure because you’re doing something that they can’t. Full of self hate because you’re happy and full of self-doubt because you’re confident.
Don’t let them stop you being you. Don’t let that stop you working on your health, your goals ,keep doing what you love. Keep having fun even when they try to stop you.”
Gemma’s words were intercut with images of her incredible gym work outs and weight lifting, that helps her maintain her fabulously fit physique.
And Gorka, 33, with whom the former Hollyoaks actress has two children, also sent a message of defiance by laughing in the face of one vile internet user.
To the person who said: “When the woman has the frame of a man and vice versa, he looks like a mouse next to him.”
And the spaniard simply said: “I look like a little mouse, that cracks me up.”
But many of the couples friends from Strictly and the world of showbiz commented on how glamorous they both looked on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday Night.
Strictly pro Karen Hauer commented: “Yes Gemma.”
While another person added: “You are both on fire as couple goals.”
And BBC Strictly It Takes Two host, Fleur East added: “Ha ha I love this! Not that you need the validation, but your strength is inspiring and I don’t mean just physical strength. I mean, mentally, the focus you have. Crack on mama!"
The Strictly couple met on the show in 2017 and fell in love backstage while Gorka was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke and Gemma with Aljax Skorjanec.
They got together soon after the series end and got engaged in 2021.
The couple now share two children, daughter Mia, aged four, and welcomed their son Thiago in July 2023.
Earlier this year they confessed that their wedding had been shelved, due to the recent birth of their son and various work commitments.
It came after rumours began to circulate that the couple were having conflict due to Gorka’s oversees work schedule, but as ever, Gemma tackled the speculation head on.
She said: "Yes we did see them stories. There was a few floating around weren't there which is news to us.
"It is what it is isn't it. Happens all the time dunnit. It's not true.”