Strictly Come Dancing fans scanning the pairing lineup in 2025 noticed one familiar face missing — and the reason isn’t scandal, but a scheduling clash with a Spanish dance show. Gorka Márquez, the Spanish professional who joined the BBC program in 2016, now finds himself balancing two countries, two children, and a career that has quietly outgrown the ballroom.

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Age: 34 (born 4 September 1990) ·
Nationality: Spanish ·
Profession: Professional dancer & choreographer ·
Known for: Strictly Come Dancing ·
Partner: Gemma Atkinson (engaged) ·
Children: 2 (Mia and Thiago)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Gorka Márquez’s public profile follows a single pattern: a dancer steadily building a career that now extends far beyond the Strictly ballroom, even as his BBC commitments shift.

Full name Gorka Márquez
Date of birth 4 September 1990
Place of birth Bilbao, Spain
Nationality Spanish
Occupation Dancer, choreographer, podcast host
Years active 2014–present
Known for Strictly Come Dancing, Burn the Floor, Bailando
Partner Gemma Atkinson (engaged 2019)
Children 2 (Mia, born 2019; Thiago)
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)

Why is Gorka Marquez leaving Strictly?

Did Gorka quit Strictly?

Not exactly — and that distinction matters. In 2025, Márquez did not take a celebrity partner on Strictly Come Dancing because his filming commitments with the Spanish version of the show, Bailando con las estrellas, clashed with the early part of the UK series (GB News (UK news outlet)). The scheduling conflict meant Márquez still appeared in group performances rather than leaving the franchise entirely (GB News (UK news outlet)).

He has been a Strictly professional dancer since 2016 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)), and Márquez himself said he was happy not to be doing a full celebrity partnership because the Spanish role clashed with the early part of the UK series (Express (UK tabloid)). He also said he would return for the final weeks of Strictly after his Spanish commitments (GB News (UK news outlet)).

What this means: The 2025 scheduling conflict is a pause, not a permanent exit — Márquez still plans to return for the final weeks of the series.

But the bigger news came with the 2026 announcement. Márquez confirmed on Instagram that he would step back from Strictly in 2026 after ten years on the show (Manchester Evening News (regional press)). He is the fifth professional dancer to confirm leaving before the 2026 season (Manchester Evening News (regional press)).

What did Gorka say about his departure?

The messaging has been consistent: this is about logistics and family, not frustration with the BBC. In one Instagram statement, Márquez cited scheduling as the reason for his reduced role in 2025, and the framing was notably upbeat (GB News (UK news outlet)). The 2026 step-back announcement similarly focused on the ten-year milestone and a desire to pursue other opportunities (Manchester Evening News (regional press)).

The pattern: The departure is less a dramatic exit and more a gradual transition — a reflection of a career that now spans two countries and a growing family.

Are Gemma and Gorka still together?

Yes — and the relationship appears to be on solid ground. Gemma Atkinson publicly backed Gorka Márquez after he announced he would not be paired with a celebrity contestant in the 2025 series (GB News (UK news outlet)). A Manchester Evening News report confirms the couple now live in Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News (regional press)).

The implication: Atkinson’s public support and their shared home in Manchester signal a partnership that has weathered public scrutiny without fracturing.

When did they get engaged?

The couple have been engaged since 2019 and were still not rushing into marriage as of June 2025 (GB News (UK news outlet)). That same report says they planned to marry when their children were old enough to take part in the ceremony (GB News (UK news outlet)). Another 2025 report says the couple were considering whether to marry in England or Spain (MSN (news aggregator)).

Do they have children?

The couple have two children together, Mia and Thiago (GB News (UK news outlet)). Their daughter Mia was born in July 2019, and they welcomed a son, Thiago, more recently. In 2025, the family also grew by one more member — a new dog named Benji (GB News (UK news outlet)).

Atkinson has also been firm about one thing: social media commenters were wrong to suggest she influenced Gorka’s departure from Strictly (GB News (UK news outlet)).

The pattern: This is a relationship that has weathered public speculation and career shifts by staying consistent — engaged since 2019, two children, a home in Manchester, and a wedding deliberately deferred until the kids can be part of it.

What is Gorka Marquez doing now?

Is he still dancing?

Yes, but the stage has shifted. Márquez is a judge on the Spanish dance show Bailando, and that commitment is what created the 2025 scheduling clash with Strictly (GB News (UK news outlet)). He still dances in group numbers on Strictly when his schedule allows (GB News (UK news outlet)).

What are his current projects?

The portfolio is expanding. Márquez hosts the ‘Lost In Translation’ podcast, which he and Gemma Atkinson started together in October 2025 (Hello Rayo (media platform)). He continues to work as a content creator and brand ambassador, leveraging an Instagram presence that gives fans direct access to his training, family life, and behind-the-scenes moments.

What this means: Between the Spanish judging role, the podcast, and content creation, Márquez has built a media career that doesn’t depend on the BBC schedule — his Strictly departure is a renegotiation of where and how he performs, not a retreat from the spotlight.

What is Gorka Marquez’ net worth?

How does he earn money?

His primary income historically came from Strictly Come Dancing and live tours, where professional dancers earn a salary supplemented by tour appearance fees. He has also held endorsement deals with fitness and lifestyle brands, though the specifics of those contracts haven’t been publicly detailed.

The expansion into Spanish television with Bailando adds a new revenue stream, and the podcast opens additional sponsorship opportunities.

What is his estimated net worth?

His net worth is estimated, with no official figures publicly confirmed (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)). Online estimates vary widely, and without verified financial disclosures, any specific number should be treated as speculative. What’s clearer is the trajectory: more platforms, more income streams, and a deliberate pivot toward work that doesn’t require being on the Strictly roster full-time.

The trade-off: Less consistent BBC exposure for greater control over his schedule — and more time at home in Manchester.

Where do Gemma and Gorka live now?

Do they live in Spain or the UK?

The couple resides in the Greater Manchester area, UK (Manchester Evening News (regional press)). Gorka also visits Spain regularly for family and work, maintaining ties to his home country while keeping his primary residence in England.

What type of property do they own?

They purchased a home together in 2021 in Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News (regional press)). Specific details about the property — size, location within the region, or purchase price — haven’t been publicly confirmed.

The pattern: A shared home in Manchester combined with regular trips to Spain reflects a deliberate two-country lifestyle designed to serve both his career and his family connections.

Career and personal timeline

  • — Took a lead role in the global dance show ‘Burn the Floor’
  • — Joined BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
  • — Became engaged to Gemma Atkinson; daughter Mia born in July
  • — Purchased a home with Gemma in Greater Manchester
  • — Launched ‘Lost In Translation’ podcast; continues as judge on Bailando
  • — No celebrity partner on Strictly due to Spanish filming clash (GB News (UK news outlet))
  • — Announced step-back from Strictly after ten years (Manchester Evening News (regional press))

Seven milestones, one narrative: each career pivot has been timed to align with family priorities, from the 2019 engagement and birth of his daughter to the 2025 scheduling decision that kept him home in Manchester.

Confirmed facts

  • Gorka left his full-time role on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 (GB News (UK news outlet)).
  • He is engaged to Gemma Atkinson and they have two children (GB News (UK news outlet)).
  • He hosts the ‘Lost In Translation’ podcast with Gemma (Hello Rayo (media platform)).
  • He resides in Manchester, UK (Manchester Evening News (regional press)).

What’s unclear

  • His exact net worth – no official verified figure.
  • Whether he will return to Strictly in any capacity after 2026.
  • Details about his workout and diet routines (only shared via social media).

Quotes and perspectives

“After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling…”

Gorka Márquez, via Instagram (as reported by GB News (UK news outlet))

Gemma Atkinson said social media commenters were wrong to suggest she influenced Gorka Márquez’s departure from Strictly.

GB News (UK news outlet)

Márquez announced on Instagram he would step back from Strictly in 2026 after ten years on the show.

Manchester Evening News (regional press)

Márquez said he was happy not to be doing a full celebrity partnership on Strictly because the Spanish role clashed with the early part of the UK series.

Express (UK tabloid)

For fans who’ve followed Gorka Márquez since his 2016 debut, the shift is clear: the dancer who once defined his career by the Strictly stage is now defining it on his own terms. The 2026 step-back marks the end of a ten-year BBC chapter, but it’s also the beginning of something more varied — a Spanish judging career, a joint podcast with his fiancée, and a family life in Manchester that now takes priority over the ballroom schedule.

For Gorka, the decision to step back was always going to come down to one question: what matters more, the routine or the life around it? He’s answered that question. For Strictly fans hoping to see him return in a different capacity, the door remains open — but the dance floor he’s choosing now is at home with Gemma, Mia, and Thiago.

Additional sources

gbnews.com, gbnews.com, manchestereveningnews.co.uk, mirror.co.uk, moviamo.it

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Frequently asked questions

Does Gorka Marquez have any siblings?

Gorka Márquez was born in Bilbao, Spain, and has kept most details about his immediate family private. His public profile focuses on his professional career and his own family with Gemma Atkinson, but he hasn’t extensively discussed siblings in interviews or on social media.

What is Gorka Marquez’s Instagram handle?

Gorka Márquez is active on Instagram under the handle @gorka_mqrquez, where he shares training clips, family moments, and behind-the-scenes content from his various projects. His social media presence is a primary source for fans following his career moves and family updates.

Has Gorka Marquez ever won Strictly Come Dancing?

Gorka Márquez has not won Strictly Come Dancing as a professional partner. Despite being on the show since 2016, he hasn’t lifted the Glitterball Trophy, though he has remained a popular and respected figure on the dance floor throughout his tenure.

What is Gorka Marquez’s nationality?

Gorka Márquez is Spanish, born on 4 September 1990 in Bilbao, Spain. He moved to the UK to pursue his dance career and has been based in Manchester with his fiancée Gemma Atkinson, while maintaining strong ties to his home country.

What is Gorka Marquez’s podcast about?

‘Lost In Translation’ is a joint podcast hosted by Gorka Márquez and Gemma Atkinson, launched in October 2025. The show explores their relationship, family life, and the cultural differences between their Spanish and British backgrounds, offering fans a more personal look at their daily lives.

Are Gorka and Gemma married?

No, Gorka Márquez and Gemma Atkinson are engaged but not yet married. They’ve been engaged since 2019 and have stated they plan to marry when their children are old enough to take part in the ceremony, with considerations about whether to hold the wedding in England or Spain.

How tall is Gorka Marquez?

Gorka Márquez stands at approximately 1.83 meters (6 feet 0 inches) tall. His height is typical for a professional ballroom dancer, allowing him to partner effectively with a range of celebrity contestants on Strictly Come Dancing.

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