Gemma Atkinson has responded to a heated online exchange with a grieving fan who attacked her after she shared a post celebrating Mother’s Day. The TV presenter, 38, opened up about the surprising confrontation in a candid conversation with her fiancé, Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez, on their Lost in Translation podcast.
Gemma had shared a heartfelt message on social media, thanking her mother, Sandra, for always being there for her. However, a woman, whose mother had passed away 10 years ago, took offense to Gemma’s post and sent a message expressing her frustration. “Oh, it’s nice for you, my mum passed away 10 years ago, I can’t stand Mother’s Day,” the fan wrote, before launching into a more aggressive attack on Gemma.
Gemma, who lost her own father at the age of 17, hit back at the fan, explaining that while she understands the pain of losing a parent, she would never direct her grief towards others. “I still celebrate Father’s Day even though I lost my dad. I go to the cemetery, put flowers on. I get that Mother’s Day is tough if you’ve lost your mum, but don’t attack people for celebrating it.”
In her podcast discussion, she emphasized how grief affects people differently, but pointed out that this does not give anyone the right to take their pain out on others. “I thought about replying, but I realised she’s clearly still grieving,” Gemma shared. “Imagine if I, every Father’s Day, kicked off at anyone lucky enough to have their dad.”
Gorka agreed with Gemma’s perspective, saying, “It’s not your fault,” and supported her decision to not engage further.
Fans of the couple expressed their support on social media, with many agreeing with Gemma’s stance on grief and celebration. One fan wrote, “I lost my mum, but I still celebrate her every year. It’s a way of remembering her with love, not resentment.” Another added, “It’s not your fault, Gemma! People should be able to celebrate their mums without judgment.”
Gemma’s response comes after she revealed her own struggles with grief, particularly her father’s sudden death when she was just a teenager. She shared that her father’s death had a lasting impact on her, and she could empathize with the fan’s pain but stressed that people must find healthier ways to cope with loss.
Despite this unfortunate encounter, Gemma continues to celebrate the important people in her life, her family, and her loved ones, standing strong in her beliefs.
