Gorka Marquez’s partner Gemma Atkinson shares real reason dancer quit Strictly
Gemma Atkinson has denied claims she forced partner Gorka Marquez to quit Strictly Come Dancing – and has shared his real reason for leaving the series. The Spanish star, 35, joined the BBC series in 2016, but won’t be returning for the 2026 edition. His exit followed a cast overhaul, which led to the departure of Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas. However, Marquez’s decision to leave was his own – and was inspired by his young daughter Mia, not Atkinson, which has been claimed online. The former Hollyoaks actor, whom he danced with on the show back in 2017, said on Wednesday (6 May): “It wasn’t my decision, which I’d like to point out for everybody who messaged me on Instagram saying, ‘You’ve finally got what you want now.’” Addressing Marquez’s other job, as a judge on Strictly’s Spanish version Bailando Con Las Estrellas, Atkinson said: “When we were talking about it, we did include Mia. We said to Mia, ‘What would you rather Papa do? Would you rather he work …
