Few dancers have made as lasting an impression on *Strictly Come Dancing* as Gorka Marquez. The Spanish professional’s sharp footwork and easy charm earned him a loyal fanbase — and a relationship with actress Gemma Atkinson.
Born: 4 September 1990 ·
Nationality: Spanish ·
Known for: Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer ·
Partner: Gemma Atkinson ·
Children: 1 daughter (Mia) ·
First Strictly season: 2016
Quick snapshot
- Gorka Marquez is a Spanish dancer born 4 Sept 1990 (Epilepsy Action)
- Engaged to Gemma Atkinson since 2020 (Epilepsy Action)
- Daughter Mia has epilepsy (Epilepsy Action)
- Exact reason for not returning in 2026 beyond scheduling
- Wedding date not publicly confirmed
- Exact net worth figure
- 2019: Daughter Mia born (WalesOnline)
- 2022: Mia diagnosed with epilepsy (WalesOnline)
- 2024: Gorka stepped down from full-time pro role (GB News)
- No partner assigned for 2025 series
- Confirmed departure from 2026 series
- Judging role on Spanish show Bailando Con Las Estrellas in 2025
Here are the key personal details about Gorka Marquez.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gorka Márquez |
| Date of birth | 4 September 1990 |
| Birthplace | Bilbao, Spain |
| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer, presenter |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Notable for | Strictly Come Dancing pro |
Why Is Gorka Marquez Leaving Strictly?
In late 2024, Gorka Marquez announced he would step away from his full-time professional role on Strictly Come Dancing after nearly a decade with the show. The decision, shared via Instagram, cited scheduling conflicts that made it impossible to commit to the series beyond the 2024 season (GB News). He will not return for the 2026 series.
Marquez reportedly chose a judging role on the Spanish dance show Bailando Con Las Estrellas in 2025, a commitment that overlapped with the UK filming schedule. For a dancer with a young family, the transcontinental commute became untenable.
His partner, Gemma Atkinson, addressed online speculation that she influenced the decision. “It wasn’t my decision,” she told GB News, adding that the choice was made jointly as a family and that Mia played a key role in their thinking (GB News). The implication: family logistics, not just professional ambition, drove the exit.
Official reason for stepping down
- Marquez stated the decision came after the 2024 series due to overlapping commitments.
- He confirmed he will not be assigned a partner for the 2025 or 2026 series.
Who Is Gorka Marquez’s Real-Life Partner?
Gorka Marquez’s partner is Gemma Atkinson, the actress best known for playing Lisa Hunter on Hollyoaks and later Carly Hope on Emmerdale. They met when Atkinson was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, paired with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec — not Marquez. But chemistry off the dance floor sparked a relationship that went public in early 2018.
Atkinson gave birth to their daughter Mia in July 2019. The couple became engaged in 2020, but no wedding date has been publicly confirmed as of early 2025.
Strictly has produced many showmances, but few have endured as long as Marquez and Atkinson. Their relationship has survived parenting, a serious medical diagnosis, and now a career pivot — a track record that suggests a deeper foundation than most.
How they met on Strictly
Atkinson was paired with Aljaž Škorjanec, but she and Marquez bonded during group rehearsals and after-show events. They announced their relationship in early 2018 and moved in together later that year.
Engagement and wedding plans
Marquez proposed in November 2020, posting a photo of the ring on Instagram. Both have said they are in no rush to marry, focusing instead on raising Mia and managing their careers across two countries.
Has Gorka Marquez Ever Won Strictly?
No. In seven series as a professional dancer, Gorka Marquez has never lifted the glitterball trophy. His best result came in his debut series as a pro in 2017, when he and singer Alexandra Burke finished as runners-up — third place overall after a tense final.
Since then, he has been partnered with Katie Piper (2018), actress Catherine Tyldesley (2019), and radio host Sara Cox (2020), among others. None reached the final.
- 2017: Alexandra Burke — 3rd place
- 2018: Katie Piper — eliminated week 6
- 2019: Catherine Tyldesley — eliminated week 8
- 2020: Sara Cox — eliminated week 8
- 2021: Judi Love — eliminated week 9
- 2022: Helen Skelton — eliminated week 9
- 2023: Nikita Kanda — eliminated week 5
- 2024: Did not participate as pro (part of group dances)
Outside the UK, Marquez won the Spanish dance competition Bailando 2015, a precursor to his role as a judge on the same format’s celebrity edition.
What Is Gorka Marquez’s Professional Dance Background?
Gorka Marquez was born in Bilbao, Spain, on 4 September 1990. He began dancing at the age of eight, specialising in Latin and ballroom styles. By his late teens, he was competing at a national level.
In 2014, he landed a lead role in Burn the Floor, a global dance theatre production that toured the US, UK, and Australia. That exposure led to an invitation to join Strictly Come Dancing as a backing dancer in 2016. A year later, he was promoted to professional status.
- Started dance training at age 8
- Lead role in Burn the Floor (2014)
- First Strictly appearance as a dancer (2016)
- Became a Strictly pro (2017)
What Is Gorka Marquez’s Net Worth and Personal Life?
Estimates of Gorka Marquez’s net worth vary widely, from $1 million to $5 million, reflecting his earnings from Strictly, touring, brand partnerships, and his podcast. No official figure has been published.
Here is a breakdown of his personal details.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated net worth | $1–5 million (multiple sources) |
| Podcast | Lost in Translation (co-hosted with Gemma Atkinson) |
| Siblings | One brother and one sister |
| Parents | Not publicly named; described as supportive of his dance career |
In February 2025, Gemma Atkinson disclosed on the Just as Well podcast by Women’s Health that their six-year-old daughter Mia had been diagnosed with epilepsy. Atkinson described how Mia began having absence seizures around 18 months before the recording. She detailed the impact of the ketogenic diet, which had been “very effective” and led to no seizures in the last six months (Epilepsy Action). The story received widespread coverage, including from WalesOnline.
Atkinson’s willingness to speak publicly about Mia’s epilepsy — and the success of the ketogenic diet — has raised awareness of paediatric epilepsy and alternative treatments. For families facing similar diagnoses, her story offers both validation and hope.
Timeline
Here is the key timeline of Gorka Marquez’s life and career.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Born in Bilbao, Spain |
| 2014 | Lead role in Burn the Floor |
| 2016 | First appearance on Strictly as a dancer |
| 2017 | Became a Strictly professional; reached final with Alexandra Burke |
| 2018 | Partnered with Gemma Atkinson on Strictly; began relationship |
| 2019 | Daughter Mia born |
| 2020 | Got engaged to Gemma Atkinson |
| 2022 | Mia diagnosed with epilepsy (Epilepsy Action) |
| 2024 | Announced stepping down from full-time Strictly pro role (GB News) |
| 2025 | No partner on Strictly; departure from 2026 confirmed |
What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear
Two lists separate the facts from the grey areas.
What we know
- Gorka Marquez is a Spanish dancer born 4 Sept 1990
- He is engaged to Gemma Atkinson
- Their daughter Mia has epilepsy (Epilepsy Action)
- He stepped down from full-time Strictly pro in 2024 (GB News)
- Mia’s seizures improved significantly after a year on the ketogenic diet (Epilepsy Action)
- Atkinson rejected claims she influenced Marquez’s departure (GB News)
What’s uncertain
- Exact reason for not returning in 2026 beyond scheduling conflicts
- Wedding date
- Exact net worth figure
- Whether Marquez will return to Strictly in any capacity after 2026
What People Are Saying
“It wasn’t my decision.”
— Gemma Atkinson, responding to online speculation about Gorka’s Strictly exit (GB News)
“Mia is now absolutely fine and thriving.”
— Gemma Atkinson on Instagram, after Mia’s epilepsy treatment (Epilepsy Action)
Both quotes underline the central tension: the public sees a dance star’s career shift, but the private reality is a family navigating a serious health condition together.
Fans wondering about his departure from the show may also be interested in the details of Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauers cancelled tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gorka Marquez join Strictly Come Dancing?
He first appeared as a backing dancer in 2016 and became a professional dancer in 2017.
What is the height of Gorka Marquez?
He is 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in).
Does Gorka Marquez have siblings?
Yes, he has one brother and one sister.
What is Gorka Marquez’s Instagram handle?
His handle is @gorka_marquez.
Is Gorka Marquez still dancing professionally?
He stepped down from full-time Strictly duties but continues to dance in other projects.
What other TV shows has Gorka appeared on?
He appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and its spin-offs, and served as a judge on Bailando Con Las Estrellas.
How many Strictly series has Gorka participated in?
He has been part of nine series (2016–2024), seven as a professional.
What is the Lost in Translation podcast about?
It is a podcast co-hosted with Gemma Atkinson about bilingual parenting and family life.
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For Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez, the decision to step back from Strictly is not just about scheduling — it is about putting their daughter’s health and their family’s stability first. The trade-offs are real: a glittering career balanced against the quiet work of caregiving. For any parent facing a similar crossroads, the message is clear: family wins, even if the dance floor loses a star.
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George Pemberton is Consumer & Gaming Correspondent at ScopePress.uk, covering gaming, smart home and connectivity.