Gemma Atkinson

Bring on the talent

Be assured, you’re not alone: most men would give their right arm for a date with Gemma Atkinson. Possibly their right leg and right testicle too. With her Hollyoaks days behind her (we’re still adjusting to tea-time without her), Gemma has established herself as an international model, while at the same time leaving a heap of heartbroken footballers in her wake. And she’s not stopping there, either. With a new British film in the pipeline, and plans to storm the music industry, Gemma will settle for nothing short of world domination…

It’s been over a year since you were last in Maxim. What have you been doing all this time?

Well, I left Hollyoaks and did a few photoshoots, and I did Soapstar Superstar. I was also the face of British Grand Prix and Tour De France. Recently there’s been the shoot in Thailand for my 2008 calendar, I’ve been in a Channel 4 comedy Plus One, and I’m in the middle of doing a new British film right now…

What’s the film all about?

It’s about the arts scene in London. People will be shocked when they hear about it. It was my first film so Jaime [Winstone, Ray’s daughter] helped me out. The scene I did was pretty raunchy so I was a bit nervous. But Jamie was great, saying, ‘Just relax, you’ll be fine.’ She gave me a shot of vodka beforehand and we just got on and did it.

This sounds suspiciously like a lesbian scene…

I’ll leave the production company to spill the beans…

OK. How was Ray? Was he terrifying?

’t even ask her about Ray because she’d probably think I was a bit of a weirdo. Once I know her a bit better I’ll ask her for his autograph.

Do you find older men like Ray Winstone sexy at all?

Yes, I think so. I think Al Pacino’s sexy, and I watched Rocky Balboa and I think Sly still looks wicked. And Richard Gere as well. I wouldn’t say no to an older man.

Have you got an upper age limit?

I think my mum might have a bit of a panic attack if I brought home an older, older man. But you’re older and wiser so you can’t really be doing anything wrong. Though if you’re 40 and they’re 60, that’d be a bit weird.

We hear you’re trying to get into singing as well as acting…

I’m working with producers and they’re taking me to Nashville to write some songs. I wanted to do something where I learn a bit more about music, rather than just do it because I was in Hollyoaks.

What are you going to do? Pop? Folk? Heavy metal?

There was a rumour it was going to be pop, but it’s completely not going to be that. It’s going to be very ballady – soul and R&B. Something you can sing to.

How about including a kazoo? That’d give you a unique selling point…

I can’t play that. I can play the recorder, but it might drive people a bit mad. My mum used to shout at me when I used to practise in my room, because it’s such an annoying sound, isn’t it? Maybe I’ll slip a bit on the album.

Have you met Simon Cowell?

I’ve not met him, but I’ve seen him. I saw him at the National TV Awards and he was quite nice for an older man. I’d had a drink, though, so maybe the beer goggles were on.

We’ve heard about your love life in the papers a lot recently – are you dating at the moment?

No. I’ve been on dates, but because I’m so busy with work I’m still single. If I’m in a relationship I like to put everything into it.

So how would your lonely hearts column read?

‘Single girl seeks someone who’s down to earth and chilled out, who resembles Paddy from Phoenix Nights…’

Paddy the wally doorman?

Yeah, I know. I think it’s the northern accent. There’s a bit in Phoenix Nights where a girl walks past, and he tells Max that he’d had her, and he says: ‘Yeah, broke her back!’ He’s funny. I like guys who don’t take themselves too seriously.

Bad boys or good boys?

Bad boys are the type of guy you’d want to have a bit of fun with, but as far as settling down goes, it’d have to be a good boy. I couldn’t be bothered with the stress of a bad boy – is he cheating, is he not? Will he be home? Bad boys are good in theory, but I couldn’t settle down with one because I’m a bit of a bad girl, so there’d be a clash.

You’ve been out with a couple of footballers. What’s the attraction?

It’s nothing to do with their job – I just like guys who take care of themselves, and footballers are physical and have to train. I’ve been out with lads that aren’t footballers but who go to the gym and work out every day.

Do you like football?

Yeah, I do enjoy the game,. however, my 10-year-old nephew is a die-hard Man U fan, so I take him along wheneverI can.

Do you give the ref abuse?

I go through phases. If I think the ref’s in the wrong, I’ll give him a shout, but if not, I’ll keep quiet.

You’re quite the tomboy. Are you into any other sports?

I like boxing, motorcross, Formula 1 and superbikes too. I think I’m a boy in a woman’s body. My mum sometimes says to me, ‘Will you remember you’re a lady?’ Some blokes find it offputting, but bollocks to them!

Last time we spoke to you, you’d been speeding in your Mini Cooper. Have you crashed it yet?

I’ve upgraded now – I’ve got a BMW X3, and I haven’t crashed, because it’s got these parking sensors and a little camera when you put it in reverse, so I can see where I’m going now.

What’s on your Mini’s stereo?

I like Arctic Monkeys and The Game.

The Game? You like gangsta rap?

Yeah, I know. Everyone says I’m weird. I’ve just got a soft spot for The Game. He’s got tattoos, scars and gold teeth but there’s something about him…

Let’s get this straight: you like older men, Paddy from Phoenix Nights, good boys and gangsta rappers. You don’t really have a ‘type’, have you?

I just like boys who look after their bodies! I don’t like out of shape guys who are sat at home and are likely to keel over in five years’ time.

You wear a lot of fancy designer dresses to the awards parties you go to. Are you a fashion buff?

Actually, I prefer jeans and hoodies! I don’t see the point in paying for a load of money for a dress you’re going to wear once. I usually borrow them for the night. You just have to make sure you take it off before the after party so you don’t spill anything on it. After the awards you go back to the hotel, put your jeans on and then go back to the party.

Would you ever wear a £5 Primark dress at an award ceremony?

If it looked nice, yeah.

What about when the red-carpet people ask what you’re wearing?

I think it’d be good. I’d be like ‘Yeah, it’s Primark – have that! You’ve spent 800 quid on yours and mine’s better anyway!’

Which is your favourite boob – your left or your right?

My left – it’s above my heart!

Have you managed to keep your nipples from the paparazzi, or has one slipped out?

I’ve managed successfully, and do you know why?

You don’t have nipples?

My nipples are actually on my back! No, my friend Laura is a bit of a maniac. When we’re coming out of clubs and the press are there, she’s like, ‘Move away!’ She looks after me. Even if I’m drunk I straighten myself out before I leave the club. My mum wouldn’t forgive me if I flashed a nip.

How do you handle paps who try to take pictures up your skirt?

I just try to kick them in the head. I once got in a car and the pap ran round the other side, opened the door, then lay on the floor of the car while I was getting in!

What’s the strangest outfit you’ve ever worn?

I went to one fancy dress party as a nut. All the best costumes in the shop had gone, so the lady said, ’Well, we’ve got a carrot or a nut.’  I went as a nut, as it was funnier. I was in this massive nutshell walking round the party and I couldn’t get my drink to my mouth. I had to bend. It was a bit stupid.

The theme for the Maxim Christmas party is uniforms. What should we go as?

Pilot outfits don’t really do it for me. A pilot can fly planes but can he use weapons and kill people like Rambo? I’d go for the army guy – combats, vest, big boots and a big knife.

What about warpaint?

See more of Gemma Atkinson at Freeones.com