Strictly’s Gorka Marquez struggling with ‘guilt’ as Gemma Atkinson issues plea for help

Gemma Atkinson has explained that her fiancé Gorka Marquez "gets so excited" when the Strictly Come Dancing returns, but this means a break away from his family.

06:00, Sat, Sep 28, 2024 | UPDATED: 08:14, Sat, Sep 28, 2024

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez attend The Prince’s Trust, TKMaxx and Homesense Awards at The Palladium on March 13, 2019

Gemma Atkinson met Strictly dancer Gorka on the show in 2017 (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Gemma Atkinson has revealed the main reason why she thinks her fiancé, Gorka Marquez, feels "guilty" when Strictly returns each year.

The actress and radio presenter, who met Strictly pro Gorka on the show in 2017, and with whom she now shares two children, Mia and Thiago, opened up about her relationship in an interview with New! magazine.

Gemma explained that the Spanish dancer "gets so excited" when the iconic show returns, but this is often bittersweet, as competing in the BBC show means a break away from his family.

She said: "Gorka loves Strictly and every year, he gets so excited about it - we all do. But then, every year, he also realises he has to be away from home and wherever his celebrity partner is based, he has to go to them.

"Before we had children, it wasn't an issue, but when you have kids, your mind switches. Mia will ask, 'But why do you have to go, Papa?' and I think it makes him feel guilty."

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez attend the TV Choice Awards at The

Gemma said the Spanish dancer "gets so excited" when the show returns (Image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

She continued: "But in the grand scheme of things, we're so lucky we can travel. I'm constantly reassuring Gorka and saying, 'I've got this, don't worry', then when he goes, I'm like, 'Oh gosh, I need help', but at least he drives off in a good mood."

Earlier this month, the Hits Radio host revealed that her son had contracted a chest and ear infection just prior to Gorka setting off to Scotland to film the 2024 series of Strictly.

In an Instagram post, the former Emmerdale star was seen embracing her son and explaining that he was currently on "antibiotics and lots of TLC."

Gorka, who will be dancing with Dr Punam Krishan this year, could possibly be away from his family for 15 weeks if he goes far in the competition. The dancer recently took to Instagram to share his feelings.

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Hits Radio Breakfast Manchester - MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez walk hand in hand as Gemma Atkinson

Gemma and Gorka have two children, Mia and Thiago (Image: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

He said: "I feel like today should be one of those days where everyone might think is all happiness, joy, excitement, for all what is about to start with Strictly...And YES it is.

"But at the same time I get a feeling of sadness, guilt, for going away for what ever long it is. A feeling of letting them down for not being there, a sense of failure to them..."

Gorka started his ballroom dancing journey when he was 12, before later representing Spain at the World Latin Championships in 2010, and then joining Strictly in 2016.

In 2020, Gorka and Maisie Smith nearly won the show after reaching the final. He was also a runner-up in 2022 when he was paired up with TV presenter Helen Skelton.