Gemma Atkinson has shared candid details about her relationship with Gorka Marquez, just weeks before the Spanish dancer announced his emotional exit from Strictly Come Dancing. The 41-year-old actress, who met Gorka on the show in 2017, lifted the lid on their ups and downs in a resurfaced clip from their Lost in Translation podcast.
A Candid Confession
In the podcast, Gemma admitted that Gorka frustrated her after returning from a trip to New York. She recounted how he walked around the house "like an inspector doing a check on a tenant," even complaining about a shelf being moved. Gemma confessed: "I mumbled to myself, thinking... I thought: 'Shut the f*** up Gorka' and I just stomped upstairs."
Gorka's Emotional Farewell
Gorka, 35, announced his departure from Strictly on Tuesday, leaving fans heartbroken. In a statement, he said: "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." He expressed gratitude to the show and the BBC.
Gemma's Support
Despite their differences, Gemma was quick to praise her husband. She responded to his announcement with a love heart emoji and wrote: "Thank goodness you were on the show in 2017! Exciting times ahead." The couple, who have two children—Mia, six, and Thiago, two—have been together since meeting on the dance show.
Gorka's Strictly Journey
Gorka joined Strictly in 2016, partnering with Tameka Empson. Over the years, he danced with Alexandra Burke, Katie Piper, Maisie Smith, Katie McGlynn, Helen Skelton, Nikita Kanda, and Dr Punam Krishan. He did not have a partner in the most recent series due to his commitments on the Spanish version of the show.
