Strictly's Gorka Marquez in tears as he issues apology to Gemma over relationship woes

Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez was moved to tears as he divulged the guilt he grapples with when his work pulls him away from his loved ones. In an emotionally charged segment from the reality series featuring him and his partner Gemma Atkinson, titled 'Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens', the professional dancer was candid about the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life.

Gorka, 33, is not only stretched thin by his commitments to Strictly but also found himself flying to Spain last year to serve as a judge on 'Bailando Con Las Estrellas', Spain's version of the beloved BBC dance competition.

During a particularly poignant moment, Gorka shared with the cameras: "I was looking at the schedule and I'm not gonna be home at least for like five weeks. I hate being away. I just feel... not guilty, but you know sometimes I go 'oh I'm very tired' and then Gemma is like well, you know, I've been working the radio, doing other jobs and the two kids, you know."

He continued, expressing his remorse for not being present to support his family: "I just feel sorry that I'm not there helping. She understands and supports me. Without her I wouldn't be able to do half of the things that I do."

The strain of separation was evident as Gorka added: "It's going to be hard because I'm going to miss them a lot. It was nice that we went away for a few weeks on holiday. But it also makes it harder because I spend the whole day with them and from tomorrow I'm going to go away and not see them, so yeah," reports OK!.

Emotional Gorka added: "I don't even want to think about it."

Strictly sensation Gorka Marquez and his fiancee Gemma Atkinson, who first met on Strictly in 2017, have been engaged since 2021 and are doting parents to their two children, Mia and Thiago.

The couple is taking their time before walking down the aisle. Last month, Gemma let slip that they might wait until little Thiago, who arrived last July, can be part of the big day.

In a conversation with HELLO!, Gemma said: "I'd like to wait until Thiago can walk down the aisle. We've got this perfect life together, with the babies, the house and the dogs, so we don't feel any pressure to get married just for a certificate."

"We were thinking that we could go to a registry office and do it with just the two of us and then have a massive party. But then, as that got closer, I was thinking that I'd regret not having my sister and niece as bridesmaids, so we were like: 'No, let's not rush. Let's wait until the perfect time and do it then'."

She added: "I wouldn't want a massive fairytale white wedding. The fewer people, the better. Ideally, I'd wear a trouser suit, but that might not go down well."