Gemma Atkinson has lifted the lid on difficult times with her fiancé Gorka Marquez after he quit Strictly Come Dancing.
The Spanish ballroom professional, 35, is the latest high profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year’s bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year.
‘I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing,’ Gorka said in a statement on Tuesday.
The show introduced Gorka to his partner, Hollyoaks actress Gemma, who he shares children Mia, six, and Thiago, two, with, after the pair met when she was a competitor on the show back in 2017.
The couple now share the Lost In Translation podcast and in a resurfaced clip from several weeks ago, Gemma was seen recalling a recent moment where Gorka frustrated her – adding: ‘I thought “Shut the f*** up Gorka”.’
In the clip, previously shared on Instagram, Gemma said: ‘Gorka came back from New York, you might have not seen yourself doing this.’
Gemma Atkinson has lifted the lid on her fiancé Gorka Marquez annoying her at home after he quit Strictly Come Dancing
‘I moan about everything,’ Gorka began, as Gemma said: ‘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 – putting an end to ongoing uncertainty regarding his future on the show.
The Spanish ballroom professional is the latest high-profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year’s bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, he wrote: ‘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.
The couple now share the Lost In Translation podcast and in a resurfaced clip from several weeks ago, Gemma was seen recalling one moment Gorka frustrated her
‘I moan about everything,’ Gorka began, as Gemma said: ‘No… You walked around the house like an inspector doing a check on a tenant’
She added: ‘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.’
‘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 from Strictly Come Dancing follows the news that fellow professionals Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Michelle Tsiakkas will no longer be part of the show either.
Their replacements have yet to be announced, and Strictly bosses have still not announced who will be the new hosts of the programme following the departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after the 2025 Christmas Special.
The dancer previously took a short break from the show after signing up for a three-week stint as a judge on the show’s Spanish version, Bailando Con Las Estrellas, in 2025.
Gorka confirmed on Tuesday he has left Strictly Come Dancing – two months after it was revealed he was in the running to be axed from the show
The Spanish ballroom professional is the latest high profile name be leaving the much-loved programme (pictured on Strictly Come Dancing with Dr Punam Krishan in 2024)
A schedule clash with Strictly Come Dancing resulted in Gorka appearing as part of the ensemble for the first seven weeks before travelling to Spain for a month, returning to the BBC show for its eleventh week.
Producers are said to want a ‘fresh start’ for the BBC One show, with new presenters to be announced soon after long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman decided it was time for them to go.
It’s understood that those with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience.
One example appears to be axed Nadiya Bychkova, 36, who boasts 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, also 36, with 966,000 followers has kept her place in the line-up.
Karen Hauer, who was Strictly’s longest-serving female dancer, is a similar story with her 9,000 followers while safe newcomer Alexis Warr, 25, has a whopping 190,000.
