Gorka Marquez has said he’s not planning to leave Strictly Come Dancing as he opened up about the sacrifices of the show.
The dancer is engaged to his fiancée Gemma Atkinson and the couple have two young children. There has been much speculation that Gorka will not be returning to the show this year, following the birth of his son and his landing of a new gig.
However, now, Gorka has insisted he plans to remain on the dance floor.
Gorka Marquez on Strictly
Speaking to Digital Spy, Gorka was asked if his new commitment of being a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly would impact his dancing role on the BBC show.
He said: “Not really. It’s the same format but in a different country and different times. I’d love to judge again, but I’d love to keep dancing in Strictly. It’s the best show on telly and it’s what I love to do.
“Even if they said to me ‘Do you want to judge?’ on Strictly, I’d say I want to dance, because I want to keep dancing and teaching someone and choreographing. That’s what really makes me happy, more than being a judge.”
However, Gorka did admit being away from his family working can be tough. He told the Mirror: “It is hard being away due to my job and missing the family but a lot of people work away, including my dad when I was growing up. I won’t be leaving [Strictly].”
It comes a few weeks after Gemma seemingly confirmed that Gorka would be taking part in Strictly this year on Instagram.
Gorka Marquez on Strictly 2024
Last year, following the birth of his son, Gorka made a couple of remarks that had fans wondering whether his time on Strictly was coming to an end.
During their documentary, Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens, Gorka admitted it was “heartbreaking” that he was going to have to leave Gemma to go back to Strictly, just days after she had given birth.
“It’s quite heartbreaking you know, to have to leave again a few days after Gemma gives birth and not be at home,” he said at the time.
“In my head, it makes me think I want to quit and just be at home for the next three months, but at the same time, I need to do my job and work.”
He added further fuel to rumours he was quitting in January when it was announced Gorka had been cast as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly.
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka
Now, in a now-deleted post, Gemma has seemingly confirmed that Gorka will in fact return to the show.
This is despite his current work commitments in Spain.
In a social media post, according to MailOnline, Gemma confessed that she has to rely on her parents concerning childcare. This is because Gorka’s parents live in Spain.
“Depending on Gorka’s partner and whether he has a partner, depending on where they’re based, he doesn’t know where he is,” Gemma said, hitting at a Strictly return.
“All the childcare lands on my family because obviously all his family are in Spain.”
ED! has contacted Gemma and Gorka’s reps for comment. A spokesperson for the BBC said: “The professional dancers for 2024 will be announced in due course.”
Read more: Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson explain they’re pushing their wedding back another year
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