Yahoo News Gemma Atkinson says 'sorry Gorka' as she shares reaction to her 'on a whim' visitor decision
Gemma Atkinson has hilariously shared her fiance Gorka Marquez's reaction to her 'on a whim' decision about a frequent visitor to their home. Fans of the Hits Radio host will know that she's a vocal animal lover with two beloved dogs of her own while also being president of a local animal rescue.
But those who follow Gemma on social media may know she has acquired a friend, a squirrel to be exact, who pays regular visits to her Greater Manchester home. She has documented the visits from 'Freddie' frequently on Instagram and even shared her worry when she was going on holiday.
The Bury-born star and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Gorka took their two children - Mia, four, and eight-month-old Thiago - to Spain for a family break earlier this month and ahead of heading to Tenerife, Gemma enlisted her step-dad's help who offered to pop round and feed 'Freddie' while she was gone.
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Gemma has now revealed that she's gone a step further in looking after the squirrel and ordered it a house - much to Gorka's dismay. "I've just on a whim - not like me - bought a squirrel house. I don't know where I'm going to put it. It's a full-on little house," she said in a video posted to her Instagram Story.
She could then be seen walking around her and Gorka's gorgeous garden that looks out onto rolling green fields as she looked for a place the squirrel house could go. "Haven't really thought this through [crying laughing emoju]. Sorry Gorks!" she wrote alongside the video.
Later, she shared a screengrab of herself on FaceTime to Gorka, who is currently away from home rehearsing for the Strictly Come Dancing the Professionals tour, as she appeared outside looking for the perfect place for 'Freddie's' new home. Gorka pulled a hilarious confused face as Gemma captioned the snap: "Asking for location ideas... before adding: "'Fa fa*saaake Gemah'" as she mimicked her Spanish other half's reaction.
Then on Tuesday (April 23), Gemma offered an update as she became distracted by 'Freddie's' return during her workout. She then filmed the squirrel as she got closer and said she could hear it 'purring'. Later, she said: "I've just looked up why they purr because I thought, 'Is it a threat?'...
"But it means they're happy, content and even interested in mating." Gemma added: "That's not going to happen. That's not going to happen, Fred! But I'm happy you're content."
It comes after Gemma, who is the president of Bleakholt Animcal Sanctuary, asked for her fans' help after receiving a heartbreaking message during her return to work on the radio. Last week, speaking in a video posted to her Instagram Story, the former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress said: "I had a message last night when I was on air from a friend of mine at Bleakholt to say we had four puppies dropped off yesterday. She sent me some pictures and they're not in great condition.
"They're all anemic, very, very underweight gorgeous little puppies so they're with the team, they're going to need around-the-clock care for a while. I'm going to nip down in a few weeks when they are ok for visitors so I will keep you posted on their progress..."
It is then when she said: "I hate to ask... I've donated but as you know we're not backed by any government funding at Bleakholt, it's just donations that keep the sanctuary going so if anyone wants to help out or send any food or anything to help these little pups, I'll post a picture of them and the link to help out if you can. They're gorgeous little puppies."
As she shared a heartbreaking picture of the underweight puppies, Gemma said: "Thank you," alongside a praying hands emoji. She then revealed they'd been named off chocolate bars. "We've got Twix, Starbar, Twirl and Picnic, they're seven months old and they're Lurcher-Spaniels. They'll make lovely dogs. hopefully find them forever homes when they're a bit stronger."
