Gemma Atkinson and Lucy Mecklenburgh treated their children with a trip to The Grotto at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Friday for it’s offical VIP opening.
The former Hollyoaks actress, 39, was busier than ever as she cared for four-month-old son Thiago and daughter Mia, four, without the help of her Strictly star fiancé Gorka Márquez.
Gemma wrapped up warm for the star-studded event in black leggings which she teamed with a matching baseball jacket and mustard beanie hat.
Meanwhile reality star Lucy, 32, cut a stylish figure in a beige trench which she layered over jeans and a white knitted sweater.
She and partner Ryan Thomas, 39, were the happiest of families as they basked in the festive fun with three-year-old son Milo and daughter Lila, 18-months.
Christmas: Gemma Atkinson, 39, (pictured) and Lucy Mecklenburgh, 32, treated their children with a trip to The Grotto at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Friday for it’s offical VIP opening
Family: Lucy and partner Ryan Thomas, 39, were the happiest of families as they basked in the festive fun with three-year-old son Milo and daughter Lila, 18-months
The immersive event which had been decorated with snow and huge candy canes was also attended by Ryan’s brother and Strictly star Adam.
It comes after Gemma revealed how fiancé Gorka needs to be ‘passionate’ with his Tv dance partners in order to score highly – as she rubbished the show’s so-called curse.
The actress spoke about the importance of a connection between the dancers and how they needed ‘chemistry.’
A former contestant herself back in 2017, she told Metro: ‘I remember when I had to dance the rumba with Aljaž.
‘Everyone said, ‘You have to look into his eyes and get close,’ and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is awful! But the dance looked rubbish because I didn’t do it.
‘So then I remember saying to Helen [Skelton], ‘You’ve got to be passionate with Gorka, that’s part of the dance.’ I’m always rooting for them to have chemistry!’.
When asked if she has any ‘anxiety’ when Gorka, 33, is away, she defiantly said no and joked that she only cared where he was based so he could help her with the school run after rehearsals.
She added: ‘I think if we were together all day, every day, 24/7, we’d probably hate it. It’s been like that for our whole relationship, so I guess it probably works because of that, we don’t know any different, really.’
All hands on deck: The former Hollyoaks actress was busier than ever as she cared for four-month-old son Thiago and daughter Mia, four
MIA: Strictly star fiancé Gorka Márquez was no doubt in Blackpool ahead of Saturday’s special episode
Casual chic : Gemma wrapped up warm for the star-studded event in black leggings which she teamed with a matching baseball jacket and mustard beanie hat
Sweet: Mia appeared delighted as she played with the snow
Fun: The event saw the kids meet father Christmas
Gemma previously revealed that she waited for the tennis result before giving birth when her waters broke during the Wimbledon final day.
The radio personality revealed how Gorka, who she has been dating for six years, begged her not to to go into labour until the game had finished.
The couple, who share two children, four-year-old Mia and baby Thiago, three months, made the admission on Gemma’s podcast The Overshare.
Discussing ‘terrible partners in labour’ with guest contributors, the couple spoke about Thiago’s birth.
Gemma began: ‘This is a thing with Thiago. My waters broke again on the Wimbledon final day. And it was Alcaraz and Djokovic.’
Gorka added: ‘I said please don’t go into labour now let me at least watch the final.’
Fashion: Reality star Lucy cut a stylish figure in a beige trench which she layered over jeans and a white knitted sweater
Festive fun: The little ones met an elf and were treated to a gift
Bros: The immersive event which had been decorated with snow and huge candy canes was also attended by Ryan’s brother and Strictly star Adam (L)
Clan: Adam and wife Caroline pictured with son Teddy, nine, and Elsie, five
One big happy family: The clan and their pal all posed for a snap
Say cheese: They couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces
Say cheese! Everyone lookled to be having a wonderful time
‘He genuinely did say that…But yeah my waters broke early in the morning,’ Gemma continued.
‘I was upstairs on my own on the bed on all fours just breathing through my contractions because I wanted to try and stay at home for as long as possible this time.
‘I don’t know if it was a fear of the hospital or what, but I just thought until I can no longer tolerate the contractions I will be at home. And so yeah, I was upstairs just trying to deal with it. And every now and again I’d hear “vamos vamos” from downstairs.’
Gorka laughed: ‘I was downstairs having the tortilla chips watching the tennis… The game finishes…I went upstairs and I went “okay, now you can have the baby.’
