Gemma Atkinson refutes rumors that she pressured her fiancé Gorka Marquez to depart Strictly Come Dancing, explaining the true motive behind his departure after a decade on the present.
Gemma Addresses the Hypothesis
The 35-year-old skilled dancer introduced his exit from the BBC One collection final month. Atkinson, 41, whom he met on this system in 2017, tackled the claims head-on in the course of the newest episode of their podcast, Misplaced In Translation.
“It wasn’t my resolution, which I’d wish to level out for everyone who messaged me on Instagram saying, ‘you’ve lastly bought what you need now,’” she acknowledged.
Gorka balanced commitments on Strictly Come Dancing together with his judging function on the Spanish model, Bailando Con Las Estrellas. The couple decided that household time took priority, involving their six-year-old daughter, Mia, within the dialogue.
Household Comes First
Atkinson shared: “Once we have been speaking about it, we did embody Mia. We mentioned to Mia, ‘What would you quite Papa do? Would you quite he work in Spain at weekends or work in England throughout Strictly?’”
“She mentioned, ‘Properly, I do love watching him dance, however I really like having him house extra.’ And we have been like, ‘Proper, signed, sealed, delivered.’ She mentioned to my mum, ‘Me, mummy and papa have determined; this 12 months he’s not going to be dancing on Strictly.’”
Their two-year-old son, Thiago, additionally confronted challenges with Gorka’s absences throughout excursions, influencing the selection.
Gorka’s Official Assertion
Gorka confirmed his resolution in an emotional Instagram publish: “After final 12 months’s resolution to step down as a full-time skilled attributable to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing with the Stars Spain, I’ve determined that now could be the time to hold up my dance sneakers and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.”
He expressed deep gratitude: “I’ll all the time be extremely grateful to Strictly and the BBC for the whole lot. Being a part of the present has been a lot greater than only a skilled alternative—over the previous 10 years, it allowed me to construct a profession from my ardour, discover love, begin a household, and make lifelong associates.”
Trying forward, he added: “Though I’m stepping away from the dance flooring, I can’t wait to bounce on the Strictly Professional Tour beginning this week and proceed being a part of this unbelievable household. Now it’s time to take a step again, benefit from the sidelines… and hopefully maintain up a number of paddles and provides out some tens alongside the best way.”
The BBC acknowledged his exit, praising his dedication and wishing him success in Spain.
Gorka’s Profession Highlights
Gorka joined Strictly in 2016, serving as a full-time professional till final 12 months. He partnered with celebrities eight occasions, reaching the ultimate 3 times alongside Alexandra Burke, Helen Skelton, and Maisie Smith.
A number of different professionals, together with Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, and Michelle Tsiakkas, won’t return for the following collection.

