Gemma Atkinson has opened up about her relationship with fiance Gorka Marquez, revealing that he’s left home and she’s in the dark about his whereabouts. The radio presenter, 39, and the professional dancer, 33, have been an item since Gemma’s stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.
Now parents to Mia, aged four, and nine-month-old Thiago, the couple usually reside in Manchester.
Gemma recently resumed her role at Hits Radio after taking maternity leave and is back on air with co-host Mike Toolan. During a recent broadcast, she shared insights into her life with Gorka, who often travels for work, including trips to his homeland of Spain, as writes the Mirror.
The Daily Mail quoted Gemma discussing Gorka’s current absence: “He’s away for five weeks now who knows where, He’s all over the shop. It is tough and it isn’t – it takes a village they say with kids and I’m very fortunate that my mum and my sister are very close by.”
Gemma playfully insinuated that it’s sometimes “easier” to establish a routine while he’s away, candidly sharing: “It’s all me and Gorka have known, so sometimes it is easier for me to get into the routine with the children whilst he’s not here and then he comes back and ruins the routine.”
Nonetheless, she complimented him as being “nice to have around the house”.
Speculation was rife after she allegedly “accidentally confirmed” that Gorka will be appearing on the next series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. It’s believed Gemma dropped the hint during a recent childcare discussion on social media.
Sharing her thoughts with followers earlier this month, she posted on Instagram: “Depending on Gorka’s partner and whether he has a partner, depending on where they’re based, he doesn’t know where he is. All the childcare lands on my family because obviously all his family are in Spain.”
Gorka’s fellow dancers, Luba Mushtuk, 34, and Jowita Przysta, 29, recently toyed with the public’s curiosity about their future on the show. When questioned last week on BBC Breakfast, they kept fans guessing about their return to the upcoming series, set to debut in September.
Jowita hinted: “Hopefully we’re back – we don’t know yet. You will need to watch to find out.”
Echoing her sentiments, Luba added: “Fingers crossed!”.
A BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: “The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course.”
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