Strictly’s Gorka Marquez struggling with ‘guilt’ as Gemma Atkinson issues plea for help

has revealed the main reason why she thinks her fiancé, Gorka Marquez, feels “guilty” when returns each year.

The actress and radio presenter, who met Strictly pro on the show in 2017, and with whom she now shares two children, Mia and Thiago, opened up about her relationship in an interview with New! magazine.

Gemma explained that the dancer “gets so excited” when the iconic show returns, but this is often bittersweet, as competing in the show means a break away from his family.

She said: “Gorka loves Strictly and every year, he gets so excited about it – we all do. But then, every year, he also realises he has to be away from home and wherever his celebrity partner is based, he has to go to them.

“Before we had children, it wasn’t an issue, but when you have kids, your mind switches. Mia will ask, ‘But why do you have to go, Papa?’ and I think it makes him feel guilty.”

She continued: “But in the grand scheme of things, we’re so lucky we can travel. I’m constantly reassuring Gorka and saying, ‘I’ve got this, don’t worry’, then when he goes, I’m like, ‘Oh gosh, I need help’, but at least he drives off in a good mood.”

Earlier this month, the Hits Radio host revealed that her son had contracted a chest and ear infection just prior to Gorka setting off to to film the 2024 series of Strictly.

In an post, the former star was seen embracing her son and explaining that he was currently on “antibiotics and lots of TLC.”

He said: “I feel like today should be one of those days where everyone might think is all happiness, joy, excitement, for all what is about to start with Strictly…And YES it is.

“But at the same time I get a feeling of sadness, guilt, for going away for what ever long it is. A feeling of letting them down for not being there, a sense of failure to them…”