Gemma Atkinson hit back at the ‘pregnancy police’ to make a defiant tribute to her late father.
The pregnant star posted a picture of herself at the top of Mount Teide in Tenerife, after she climbed it with her partner Gorka Marquez. The hike was a tribute to her dad, who died when she was 17.
Gemma wrote: ‘Last week me and Gorks climbed Mount Teide (it’s a drive, cable car and flat walk before the pregnancy police start on me). I haven’t been here since my dad passed away. We used to come every year and do the hike so it was bittersweet, but I know he somehow helped drag me up there.’
The post has been liked more than 70,000 times and Gemma’s followers have been quick to rally round in support.
‘How lovely he’ll be looking down on you,’ one assured her.
‘Ignore the pregnancy police,’ another added.
‘As long as you feel fit and healthy and bump is too continue on your adventures and enjoy them,’ someone else agreed.
‘Who cares what you do during your pregnancy @glouiseatkinson,’ another fan echoed. ‘It’s your pregnancy, your body and your baby, you shouldn’t need to justify yourself to anyone! Well done you for doing that hike; all I wanted to do when I was pregnant was eat Gregg’s sausage rolls plus the only hike I could manage was to the loo!’
Before she and Gorka announced her pregnancy, the former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actress was well known for her intense training regime. Last month, Gemma posted a pregnancy home workout video on Instagram. She warned her followers to listen to their own bodies, saying: ‘I am making my exercise choices daily based on that.’
‘Thank you @glouiseatkinson for being a really positive role model for pregnancy and exercise,’ one user commented. ‘You telling people to check it’s safe first will have a great impact on pregnant women everywhere. And you look amazing, lovely lady.’
Gemma and pro dancer Gorka met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and started dating in early 2018. This will be their first child together.