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Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez was seemingly outed accidentally by Gemma Atkinson, a former contestant herself and the mother of his two children. The 39-year-old appeared to have confirmed on Instagram that he’ll be appearing in the show again this year, before the post mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
In it, she explained: “Depending on Gorka’s partner and whether he has a partner, depending on where they’re based, he doesn’t know where he is.” Talking of their four-year-old daughter, Mia, and ten-month-old son, Thiago, she added: “All the childcare lands on my family because obviously all his family are in Spain.”
However, a BBC spokesperson made it clear that the channel has not yet confirmed any dancers formally. In a statement, they revealed that an announcement will be made “in due course”.
Jowita Przystal, who sailed to victory in the 2022 Strictly final with wildlife presenter and cameraman Hamza Yassin, teased: “Hopefully we are back, [but] we don’t know yet. You will have to watch to find out.” Meanwhile, Luba Mushtuk – whose Strictly dreams were dashed last year after celeb partner Adam Thomas struggled with painful bouts of arthritis – revealed that she had her “fingers crossed” for a place in the line-up in 2024.
Gemma sounds convinced that her partner will be competing – and as he hasn’t been missed off a series since 2019, some fans had already been expecting him back. He’s currently occupied on the judging panel of the Spanish version of the BBC show, Bailando con las Estrellas, which means he’s been jetting back and forth between Britain and his home country of Spain.
Gemma is spending every weekend without him as he stays over in Madrid for three nights before jetting back to Manchester each week.
However, she’s assured fans that she isn’t struggling solo, as she enjoys the opportunity to “get my space” without him in the family home.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on her ITV show recently, she dismissed suggestions that she’d been “moaning” about Gorka’s hectic schedule, while she stays in the UK parenting two kids under five.
“Every year I know between August and Christmas, and Gorka knows, he doesn’t know where he is going to be… I know that side of it, it’s not a shock to me,” she explained.
Not only does she accept Gorka touring around, but she also says she’s having “the best time” without him.
“[People] make out that I’ve been moaning that I’ve been on my own for three weeks,” she joked.
Speaking on Scott Thomas’ podcast, Learning As I Go, she also revealed that she’s not fearful about her partner meeting a new flame abroad.
“I’ve never been bothered about the thought of someone cheating on me. I’ve had relationships where I’ve thought they probably would – probably will – but until it’s happened, I’ve not beaten myself up over it,” she explained.
