Rumors are spreading like wildfire. The word on the net is that Hollyoaks Actress and Soapstar Superstar competitor, Gemma Atkinson, is secretly dating footballer Christiano Ronaldo.

The pair are said to have met for the first time recently at a party, and ever since have been meeting up in Ronaldo’s Cheshire mansion.

A friend told the Sun: ‘Gemma says Christiano’s gorgeous in every way and things are going really well.’

Her spokesman declined to comment on the relationship.

After being criticised by the judges last night for not being ladylike or raunchy enough, Gemma Atkinson turned it around tonight and wore a dress where she was spilling out in all the right places.

To top it off she delivered a fantastic performance of ‘Fields Of Gold’. I would never have guessed that Gemma would have had such a sweet and beautiful voice, i really hope she goes far in this show.

The judges were impressed with the change in Gemma tonight, Chris Crowley commented:

“You sang it like an angel, but made me feel like a devil!”

Richard Fleeshman was the viewers’ Soapstar Superstar for 2006 – but who will win the viewers’ vote and take the accolade in the new series of the hit event?

The newest series of Soapstar Superstar launches tomorrow night on ITV1.

Zoe Ball hosts the new series that will see some of the UK’s favourite soap stars take to the stage nightly and go head-to-head to become a singing superstar.

Facing the ultimate sing-off in 2007 is:

Gemma Atkinson (Lisa Hunter – Hollyoaks In The City)
Antony Cotton (Sean Tully – Coronation Street)
Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby – Coronation Street)
Tupele Dorgu (Kelly Crabtree – Coronation Street)
Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy – Neighbours)
Leon Lopez (Scott Windsor – Emmerdale)
Mark Furze (Eric ‘Ric’ Dalby – Home & Away)
Elaine Lordan (Lynne Hobbs – EastEnders)
Verity Rushworth (Donna Windsor-Dingle – Emmerdale)
Hayley Tamaddon (Delilah Dingle – Emmerdale)
Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalf – Emmerdale)

And the plot thickens as it will be the viewers who have the ultimate control; not only do they vote to save their favourite soapstar they also get to choose the songs they will be singing.

With commentary from our panel of expert judges and a rehearsal schedule that sees each artist learning their selected song in just
24 hours, the drama won’t be confined to the stage.

Gemma Atkinson (Lisa Hunter, Hollyoaks In The City)

What are your top three artists and their albums?
I like the Arctic Monkeys album, I think they’re fab. I like Pink’s latest album, ‘I’m Not Dead’ because it varies in R & B and I also like Bobby Valentino, ‘Slow Down’.

What is your favourite musical style?
I like kind of, rock and R & B, I like a lot of Pink stuff, like her album, it varies from different types. I’m not really into pop unless I’m getting ready to go out; I’ll listen to a bit but only to get me in the going out mood, other than that I like rock.

What is your earliest singing memory?
It was at a competition in Grannies Heilan Hame holiday park in Scotland and I won the competition and I won a trip to Tenerife for the rest of the family, which was fab. I can’t remember what I sung, I think it was something out of the Tiger Club, a group we were in at the time, but yeah that was it.

Who would you compare yourself to in singing style?
Oh God, errr, anyone with a deep voice, I think my voice is deep, so probably Pink.

What can the audience expect from your performances?
A laugh, I think, I’m hopefully going to surprise a few people so hopefully they’ll have fun as I will.

What do you think your character would say about you doing the show?
She’d be very supportive because she’s very caring, my character, and she’d probably be on the front row every night and she’d tell all her family and that to watch out for it.

How did your friends and family react to the news that you are doing the show?
They were all really chuffed. I’ve told my Mum, my Mum knew, she was very chuffed, my Mum. It was a bit embarrassing because everyone was saying, ‘Oh what are you doing now, now that Hollyoaks has finished?’ and I’ve had to say, ‘Oh nothing, nothings come along when obviously this has been along for ages’. But yeah my Mum was really pleased and she said, ‘Finally’.

It has been revealed that Zoe Ball will be the new host of this years series of Soapstar Superstar.

Zoe said: “As a huge soap fan – I have watched Coronation Street since I was a little girl and I watched it with my Nan – I was a huge fan of Soapstar Superstar last year.

“I nearly wet my pants when I was asked to host it this time. I can’t wait to get all the inside gossip at the show and see who’s the prima donna, who’s the saucy one, who’s the trouble- causer.

“Of course I won’t be showing any bias, although as I’ve already mentioned I am a huge Coronation Street fan!

“I am very excited about the show – the only thing you won’t catch me doing is singing – because I have the worst singing voice ever!�

Executive Producer Rachel Ashdown said: “This year we have some singers in the competition who have never sung on television before so there are sure to be some great surprises.

“You might think you know the soap stars from what you see in your favourite soaps but you will be blown away by just how talented this bunch is.

“This is the show were the viewers really are in control and ultimately they will pick their winner.

“I think the soap stars are really excited, but with the show going live on January 5th they better not be doing too much shouting at New Year’s Eve!

“There aren’t many shows as ambitious as this on television but we had a brilliant team who made it last year and have come back for more this time.â€?

Soapstar Superstar will be shown on ITV1, Friday 5th January 2007, 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM. For the full list of who is taking part click here