Gemma Atkinson has opened up about how her fiancé Gorka Marquez gets on her nerves at home, following his departure from Strictly Come Dancing. The 35-year-old Spanish ballroom professional is the latest high-profile name to leave the beloved programme amid a major cast shake-up ahead of its 24th series later this year.
In a statement on Tuesday, Gorka said: 'I've decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.' The show introduced Gorka to his now-wife, Hollyoaks actress Gemma, with whom he shares children Mia, six, and Thiago, two. The couple met when Gemma was a contestant on the show in 2017.
The couple now co-host the Lost In Translation podcast. In a resurfaced clip from several weeks ago, Gemma recalled a moment when Gorka frustrated her, admitting she thought: 'Shut the f*** up Gorka.' The clip, previously shared on Instagram, showed Gemma saying: 'Gorka came back from New York, you might have not seen yourself doing this.'
Gorka began: 'I moan about everything,' but Gemma interjected: 'No... You walked around the house like an inspector doing a check on a tenant. You were literally doing this [acts out Gorka investigating the house]. Then I went upstairs, and I heard you say, "I've been away for one week, and you take my shelf." And then it dawned on me, Mia and Thiago were playing, rearranging. They were playing shops - and I thought, "Oh, bless them. They've not put stuff back." And as I was walking up the stairs, I mumbled to myself, thinking... I thought "Shut the f*** up Gorka" and I just stomped upstairs. You might have heard me.'
On Tuesday, Gorka confirmed his permanent departure from Strictly Come Dancing, ending ongoing uncertainty about his future on the show. He wrote on Instagram: 'After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything. Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful. Although I’m stepping away from the dance floor, I can’t wait to dance on the Strictly Pro Tour starting this week and continue being part of this incredible family. Now it’s time to take a step back, enjoy the sidelines… and hopefully hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey. Keep dancing.'
Gorka's departure follows the news that fellow professionals Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, and Michelle Tsiakkas will also no longer be part of the show. Their replacements have yet to be announced, and Strictly bosses have still not revealed who will host the programme after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly leave following the 2025 Christmas Special. Gorka previously took a short break from the show to judge the Spanish version, Bailando Con Las Estrellas, for three weeks in 2025.
A schedule clash with Strictly meant Gorka appeared in the ensemble for the first seven weeks before travelling to Spain for a month, returning for the eleventh week. Producers reportedly want a 'fresh start' for the BBC One show, with new presenters to be announced soon. It is understood that dancers with larger online followings have been chosen over those less active on TikTok, as the series tries to attract a younger audience. For example, axed Nadiya Bychkova has 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, with 966,000 followers, kept her place. Karen Hauer, with 9,000 followers, was let go, while newcomer Alexis Warr, with 190,000 followers, remains safe.
