Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have opened up about the frightening “chaos” their family recently faced when their six-year-old daughter, Mia, suddenly fell seriously unwell. Speaking on their podcast Lost In Translation, the Strictly Come Dancing professional revealed that he found himself dealing with “blood everywhere” and was forced to call an ambulance while Gemma was away working in London.

According to Gemma—who happened to be celebrating her 41st birthday on the same day the episode was recorded—Mia had quietly mentioned feeling a little under the weather before she left for her work trip. The former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress admitted she initially “didn’t think too much of it” and reassured her daughter she would likely feel better soon.

However, while travelling to London, she received a tense phone call from Gorka explaining that Mia’s condition had worsened rapidly.

During the emotional discussion, Gemma told listeners: “I get to my hotel, I’m a nervous wreck, and then you ring me and say, ‘Your mum’s here, we’re taking her to the out-of-hours.’ And this was all before my first day filming for the channel. Your first time on your own with her being ill—you actually rang an ambulance at one point. You were marvellous in that situation.”

Gorka, who became engaged to Gemma in 2021 after meeting her on Strictly in 2017, went on to describe the alarming moment Mia suddenly deteriorated. He explained that while waiting for a doctor to return his call, Mia briefly fell asleep, giving him hope she was improving. But moments later, she woke up coughing violently and gasping for air.

“I’m on the phone telling them, ‘Listen, she’s not well,’ and because she was coughing so much, she started bleeding through her nose,” he recalled. “I just remember saying, ‘Please, just send an ambulance.’”

After several more calls, he informed medics that Mia was “bleeding through the nose and coughing,” which intensified the urgency of the situation. When Gemma FaceTimed him to check in, she was confronted with the distressing scene.

“Mia was crying… blood everywhere,” Gorka said, while Gemma confirmed the frightening visuals. “He was holding her, she was sobbing, the phone was full of blood. And then he said the floor was full of blood because she was vomiting, too.” Gorka compared the ordeal to “a movie scene,” while Gemma added her frustration about being far from home when it unfolded.

Following medical treatment, Mia was diagnosed with croup and a respiratory tract infection. She was prescribed steroids and antibiotics and is now, thankfully, “all fine,” the couple confirmed. They added that another family member soon developed similar symptoms, making the week even more chaotic.

Gemma praised Gorka for handling the ordeal with strength: “I’m glad you got through all of it—you’ve now seen what it’s like for me when I’m on my own.” Gorka responded: “I always appreciate it, but now I appreciate it even more.”

The couple, who share two children—Mia and their two-year-old son Tiago—first met during the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing, though they were not dance partners. They began dating the following year, and Gorka proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2021.

Their relationship has often been covered positively by UK media, with BBC News previously describing them as “one of Strictly’s strongest off-screen partnerships” (BBC). Parenting outlets, including Hello! Magazine, have praised the pair for their candid discussions about family life, often highlighting Gemma’s openness about post-partum struggles (Hello! Magazine). Meanwhile, health experts frequently note that croup can escalate quickly in young children, sometimes requiring emergency attention, according to NHS guidance (NHS).

Speaking recently to Heat Magazine about their upcoming wedding, Gemma confirmed the couple are finally ready to tie the knot: “We will be getting married. We’re working on whether to do it in England or Spain because we need to involve everyone as much as possible. But as Gorka said yesterday—the thought of planning a wedding—ugh!”

The pair continue to balance busy careers with raising two young children, and their latest podcast episode has resonated with many parents who know how frightening childhood illnesses can be. Publications such as The Guardian have noted the rising public interest in celebrity families being more transparent about real-life challenges, calling it a “refreshing counterbalance to curated social media narratives” (The Guardian).

Gemma and Gorka hope sharing their story will reassure other parents dealing with similar emergencies that they are not alone.