• [Dailystar Icon]
• Showbiz
• Gemma Atkinson

Cristiano Ronaldo's forgotten romance with Hollyoaks star leaves fans floored

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most famous footballers in the world, but before settling down with Georgina Rodriguez he once dated Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson back in 2007

[A soccer player, dressed in a teal and white jersey with a distinctive pattern, is standing on the field. The background shows blurred spectators seated in the stands, indicating an ongoing match.]

Ronaldo

Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo previously romanced a well-known soap actress during his time at Manchester United.

The 41-year-old, hailed as one of the greatest footballers on the planet, will be hoping to guide his country into the World Cup quarter-finals when they face Spain at The Dallas Stadium on Monday evening (July 6). Beyond his goal-scoring exploits, Ronaldo is betrothed to former shop assistant Georgina Rodriguez following their encounter in 2016 while she was employed at a Gucci boutique in Madrid.

However, prior to embracing domestic life, Ronaldo was romantically connected to Hollyoaks legend Gemma Atkinson. The 41-year-old performer portrayed Lisa Hunter on the Channel 4 programme Hollyoaks for four years before departing in 2005.

[Gemma Atkinson]

Gemma back when she was playing Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks(Image: Mersey Television)

She subsequently appeared as Carly Hope in ITV's Emmerdale from 2015 to 2017, before making a fleeting return to her Hollyoaks character in 2022, reports the Mirror.

Gemma and Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo allegedly enjoyed a romance in 2007, while he was in his initial spell at Manchester United.

The performer previously offered a glimpse into her fleeting relationship with Ronaldo on Hits Radio Manchester, disclosing that their encounters were remarkably understated despite his worldwide stardom.

"We went to my house, drank cups of tea and watched Only Fools And Horses," she admitted. "Genuinely! I don't know if he's into it now, but he seemed to enjoy it."

The former Strictly star also disclosed that she had been offered substantial sums to discuss their relationship.

"When we did split up, I got offered so much money to speak about him," she admitted. "And I didn't want that."

[An adult male and an adult female are standing together, smiling, and looking towards the camera. The female is holding a microphone and appears to be speaking. They are surrounded by a crowd of people, some of whom are holding umbrellas.]

Gemma and Gorka(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Gemma is now blissfully content with her fianc and professional dancer Gorka Mrquez, 35, after the couple first crossed paths on Strictly in 2017.

Despite Gemma being matched with Alja korjanec and Gorka being coupled with Alexandra Burke, the duo instantly connected away from the cameras and started their romance following the show's live tour finale in 2018.

They have been betrothed since Valentine's Day in 2021 and are parents to two children, Mia and Thiago.

Beyond her acting pursuits, Gemma hosts the Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan Show on Hits Radio every weekday afternoon from 4pm, has established her own beauty brand, Gem and Tonic, and commands more than 2 million Instagram followers.

She also co-hosts the podcast Lost In Translation with Gorka, who recently confirmed his departure from Strictly after a decade on the programme.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo and Georgina have been engaged since August 2025 and are parents to six children. His eldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 16, was born on 17 June 2010 in the United States.

[Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo]

Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo(Image: Jeff Kravitz, FilmMagicvia Getty Images)

In June 2017, it was revealed that he had fathered twins via a surrogate mother in America, nineyearold Eva and Matteo. A month later, Ronaldo confirmed in an interview that he and Georgina were expecting their first child together, with daughter Alana, eight, born in November 2017.

In October 2021, the couple announced they were expecting twins, but tragically, their son, Angel, passed away shortly after his birth in April 2022. They later revealed they had named their baby daughter Bella Esmeralda.

Georgina, who was born in Argentina and raised in Spain, is a model, trained dancer, and businesswoman who has become a star in her own right following the instant success of her Netflix docu-series "I Am Georgina".

She's also a social media influencer boasting more than 74 million followers on Instagram, which pales in comparison to her partner, as Ronaldo remains the most followed individual on the platform with a staggering 671 million followers.

Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more

Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here

Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.