Strictly's Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez 'in rough patch' as work keeps them apart
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez are said to be going through a 'rough patch' as they struggle to spend time together as a family due to work commitments
Strictly Come Dancing couple Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez are having a tough time as his dance work keeps him away from his family. Sources say Gemma was upset when Gorka couldn't get home during the last six weeks of the previous series, even though he was voted out in week three.
The Spanish-born dancer has now signed up to be a judge on Spain's version of Strictly Bailando con las Estrellas which means he'll spend lots of time in Madrid. Because of work, the couple haven't been able to visit Gorka's parents in Bilbao with their son Thiago, who was born in July while Gorka was getting ready for Strictly's return.
A source says: "Gemma knows how important Gorka's work is to him and goes above and beyond to be supportive. But she found it hard when he wasn't able to travel back to Manchester to spend time with her and the kids, even when he'd been voted off last year's series. She'd been hoping they would have more time after the show finished, as he usually opts out of the tour to focus on family."
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"But then he signed up to Bailando con las Estrellas, and the plan changed. Gemma knows he's just wanting to support his family, but it's disappointing for her. It's a really rough patch for them. Gorka has also been frustrated because they haven't had time to travel to Bilbao for Thiago to meet his elderly parents."
The source said: "Gemma has been effectively raising two kids by herself. She was focusing on the end of the series as the end point but the judging role was too good an opportunity to miss. As with any couple, the longer they're apart, the more tension there is between them."
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Gemma, a former Hollyoaks actress, met Gorka when she joined the BBC dance show in 2017. She danced with Aljaz Skorjanec and came second, but she got along well with Gorka behind the scenes.
The pair, who got engaged on Valentine's Day in 2021, welcomed their daughter Mia in 2019 and son Thiago last year. Representatives for Gorka and Gemma chose not to comment.
Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Gemma and Gorka for comment.
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