Gemma Atkinson declares love for BBC Strictly Come Dancing star after sharing personal story

Gemma Atkinson has declared her love for a former Strictly Come Dancing star after she opened up about a very personal experience. The Hits Radio host was quick to support Oti Mabuse as she opened up about the premature birth of her first child.

The dancer and TV star announced she and her husband Marius Lepure had become first-time parents on Christmas Day last year. They took to Instagram with an adorable photo in which they wore matching festive pyjamas as they gazed lovingly at their baby girl alongside their beloved pet dog, Leo.

It wasn't until later that told how their daughter, whose name hasn't been shared publically, had actually born prematurely in November 2023, two months earlier than expected.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara addresses 'emotional' time amid parenting decision

Oti has now joined forced with Pampers to share her birth story and support their Pampers Preemie Protection nappies this World Prematurity Day. In a video shared to social media, Oti was heard opening up about her daughter's arrival into the world alongside intimate never before seen pictures from days as a newborn.

She spoke about how their baby girl spent eight weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit and how when she was born, she and Marius only had a brief moment to kiss their first child and 'tell her how much we love her' before she was 'taken away'. Oti said: "That experience is like nothing, nothing, on Earth."

The new mum spoke about what it was like seeing her daughter in an incubator as the moving pictures were shown on screen. "It's hearbreaking," Oti said with tears filling her eyes as she spoke about the difficulty of not being able to be physically close to her baby.

Oti captioned the post: "What a special campaign to be a part of. As many of you are aware, my daughter was born 10 weeks premature and the thing I struggled with the most was not being able to touch her other than just holding her hand with my finger or stroking her legs. This is because their skin is 2x thinner than those born full-term which makes it vulnerable.

"That’s why I’m so happy to be working with @pampersuk_ire this World Prematurity Day, as their Pampers Preemie Protection nappies are specially designed to be gentle on even the most fragile of skin. Nappy changes can help enable those essential moments of touch and bonding with their preemie baby, because touch is how they feel love.

"You can show your support- for every pack of Pampers nappies and nappy pants purchased at Boots between Nov 6th 2024 and Jan 2nd 2025, a Pampers Preemie Protection nappy will be donated*. *T&C’s apply."

Gemma was quick to reshared the post to her Instagram Story and simply said: "Love you @otimabuse." Meanwhile, the comments section of Oti's post was quickly flooded with love and support.

Sister and Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse said: "And now we will celebrate her first birthday. Little sunshine." Comedian and actress Ella Taylor commented: "Oh Oti - beautiful - so glad she’s a little tyrant now keeping you on your toes!!"