Atkinson 'turned down date with Maradona'

Gemma Atkinson has claimed that she once turned down the chance to date football legend Diego Maradona.

According to The Sun, the former Hollyoaks star admitted that although she thought Maradona was "really nice", she was put off by his height.

"I saw him at this charity match so I went up to him and asked for a picture and an autograph. He was really nice guy but he was very short," she is quoted as saying.

"He said I had beautiful eyes and I was like, 'Wow thanks', but he’s so short, he’s tiny."

Atkinson, who has been linked to Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo and Birmingham City's Marcus Bent, is currently rumoured to be romancing Britain's Got Talent star Liam Richards.