Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson was reduced to tears today as she and her daughter Mia feared the friendly squirrel that appeared in their garden each morning had gone missing. While the Hits Radio presenter feared the worst, she told Mia “not to give up hope” on the squirrel, who they had affectionately named Freddie.
Gemma shares two children – four-year-old daughter Mia and newborn son Thiago – with her fiance Gorka Marquez, who is a professional on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. Yesterday, Gemma shared her concerns that Freddie had died after noticing a dead squirrel on the side of the road when she was coming back from dropping Mia off at school.
Taking to Instagram, she admitted to her 1.9 million followers that she was relieved Mia hadn’t seen the dead female squirrel that might have been Freddie, as it would have left her distraught. Later that day, Gemma offered fans a sombre update, writing on her story: “No Freddie yet… [sad emoji]
“Will get out tomorrow morning and sit for a while with some food. She usually comes before I leave for the school run.”
This morning, a concerned Gemma shared another video where she could be seen nervously waiting to find out if Freddie would reappear. She said: “No Freddie yet.
Mia said, ‘Freddie’s having a day off today, isn’t she? She’s having a day off, mummy.”
Looking visibly sad, Gemma pleaded: “Come on Freds, stop fannying about.”
While things looked like they had taken a turn for the worst, Gemma’s next story showed her looking overjoyed as she thought she spotted Freddie in the garden.
Putting her hand over her mouth in excitement, she told fans: “I think it’s Freddie! Is she coming to the window?
“Told you! See I’m upset… She’s been making me cry.”
Turning to Mia, she said: “Is it Freds? Yes!” Mia could then be seen jumping up and down with joy.
“It’s Freddie!” Gemma repeated, holding back tears as she punched the air. “I told you not to give up hope.
“Is it definitely her? It is, because she’s coming over. She’s here! Let’s get some more food.”
The next clip showed Freddie the squirrel scurrying around on the patio with celebratory music playing.
In a final update, Gemma revealed that Freddie had not only returned but that she’d also brought a pal along.
“She’s brought a mate,” Gemma penned with a string of laughing emojis. “I can hear Gorka now, ‘Oh fa f***sake Gemah’” (sic)
Later, Gemma revealed that Gorka did indeed have a spookily similar reaction to the one she predicted, causing her to burst into laughter.
