Fans of Strictly Come Dancing were left wondering when Gorka Marquez announced he wouldn’t have a celebrity partner for the 2024 series. After nearly a decade on the BBC show, the Spanish dancer is moving on to new challenges — including a judging role on Spain’s version of Dancing with the Stars and a growing family with partner Gemma Atkinson. Here’s a clear breakdown of his exit, current projects, and what’s really going on with his net worth and relationship.
Years on Strictly: 2016-2024 ·
Instagram followers: 977,000 ·
Reported net worth: US$1-2 million ·
Partner since: 2018 (Gemma Atkinson) ·
Children: 1 daughter (Mia, born 2019)
Quick snapshot
- Announced no partner for 2024 series (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- Mutual decision with BBC (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- Cited family and other projects (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- Exact financial terms of departure
- Whether he will return in a different role
- Precise net worth breakdown
- Joined Strictly in 2016 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Left as full-time professional in 2025 (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- Still appears on Strictly Pro Tour (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- Judge on Bailando (Spanish DWTS) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Podcast host, brand ambassador (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- Focus on family (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid))
Eight key facts about Gorka Marquez, drawn from verified sources and published reports.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gorka Márquez |
| Born | 4 September 1990 (age 34) – Bilbao, Spain |
| Occupation | Professional dancer, choreographer, television personality |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Years Active | 2016–present |
| Notable Work | Strictly Come Dancing professional (2016–2023), Judge Bailando |
| Partner | Gemma Atkinson (2018–present) |
| Children | 1 daughter |
Why is Gorka Marquez leaving Strictly?
Gorka Marquez announced on Instagram that he would not have a celebrity partner for the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC later confirmed the decision was mutual and driven by personal reasons (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)). He said the show helped him build a career, find love, and start a family – but scheduling conflicts with the Spanish version of Dancing with the Stars made it impossible to continue as a full-time professional.
Note: Gorka’s departure was his own choice, balancing family priorities with new opportunities in Spain, not a dismissal by the BBC.
Was he dropped or did he choose to leave?
- Gorka stated he made the decision after careful consideration, citing family and other projects (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)).
- BBC sources described the split as amicable, with no indication he was dropped (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)).
- He will continue to appear on the Strictly Pro Tour, so the door remains open for future guest spots.
The takeaway: Gorka left Strictly on his own terms, driven by a mix of family priorities and new professional opportunities in Spain.
What is Gorka Marquez doing now?
Current roles: judge on Bailando (Spanish DWTS)
Since 2019, Gorka has been a judge on Bailando con las estrellas, the Spanish adaptation of Dancing with the Stars on Telecinco (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). This role became the primary conflict that led to his Strictly exit.
Podcast host and brand ambassador
- He co-hosts the podcast Lost in Podcast.
- He is an ambassador for HYROX (fitness racing) and Pliability (recovery tech) (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)).
- He continues to choreograph and perform independently.
Why this matters: Gorka has built a diversified portfolio that reduces his reliance on the BBC schedule, giving him more control over his time and income streams.
What is Gorka Marquez’ net worth?
Estimated earnings from Strictly and beyond
Multiple celebrity wealth trackers estimate his net worth at US$1–2 million (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid)). Strictly professional dancers typically earn between £35,000 and £50,000 per series, with top pros making more through tours and endorsements.
- Judging fees for Bailando: reportedly higher than BBC pro dancer pay, though figures are not public.
- Brand partnerships with HYROX, Pliability, and other fitness brands add a steady income.
- Personal appearances and social media collaborations (977k Instagram followers) contribute to the total.
Warning: Net worth figures are unverified estimates from celebrity trackers, not official disclosures. The US$1–2 million range is consistent with what other mid-tier reality TV dancers report.
The catch: Without verified financial disclosures, all net worth figures remain estimates. The US$1–2 million range is consistent with what other mid-tier reality TV dancers report.
Are Gorka and Gemma still together?
Current relationship status
Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson are still together as of April 2025, having first met during the 2017 series of Strictly (Heat magazine (UK celebrity news outlet)). They celebrate their anniversary on 9 February.
Gemma Atkinson’s comments on marriage
“There’s no chance” – Gemma Atkinson on marrying Gorka, in a 2026 interview (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid)).
Gorka responded that he also isn’t eager to marry, saying they are happy as they are (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid)).
The couple live together in Manchester with their daughter Mia (born July 2019) and son Thiago (born around 2024).
Note: The couple’s stance on marriage has been consistent: neither is eager to formalize legally, prioritizing their current arrangement.
The implication: For fans hoping for a wedding, the couple’s consistent stance shows they prioritise a stable, unmarried partnership over formal ceremonies — a choice that works for them.
What happened to Gorka Marquez?
Timeline of his Strictly career
- 2016: Joined Strictly, partnered with Tameka Empson (eliminated week 3) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- 2017: Reached the final with Alexandra Burke (runner-up) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- 2019: Started relationship with Gemma Atkinson; daughter Mia born; became judge on Bailando.
- 2020: Reached the final with Maisie Smith (runner-up) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- 2023: Last appearance as a Strictly professional with Nikita Kanda (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)).
- 2025: Announced departure from full-time professional role (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)).
The pattern: Gorka’s Strictly journey began with early elimination, then two runner-up finishes, before evolving into a family-first career shift in Spain. His timeline shows a deliberate arc from competitor to judge to family man.
Clarity Section
Confirmed facts
- Gorka did not receive a celebrity partner for the 2024 series. (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- He announced his departure on Instagram. (Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
- He is a judge on Bailando (Spanish DWTS). (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- He is in a relationship with Gemma Atkinson. (Heat magazine (UK celebrity news outlet))
- They have two children: Mia (born 2019) and Thiago. (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid))
- Gemma has publicly stated they are not planning a wedding. (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid))
What’s unclear
- Exact financial terms of his BBC departure.
- Whether he will ever return as a guest judge or choreographer.
- Precise breakdown of his net worth (all estimates are unverified).
- Whether he officially left or was not renewed — BBC only confirmed it as a “mutual decision”.
Quotes
“I have built a career from my passion through Strictly Come Dancing. The show helped me find love and start a family. I will always be grateful.” – Gorka Marquez, via Instagram (as reported by Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine))
“There’s no chance I’m marrying Gorka. We’re happy as we are.” – Gemma Atkinson, in a 2026 interview (The Mirror (UK daily tabloid))
“We wish Gorka all the best. This was a mutual decision based on his personal commitments.” – BBC spokesperson, as quoted by Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine)
For fans of Strictly, Gorka’s departure marks the end of an era — but also the beginning of a more balanced life. He’s swapped the gruelling BBC dance schedule for a judging gig that keeps him close to his Spanish roots and his growing family. The choice for him was clear: prioritise being present as a father and partner, or stay on a show that demands months of overseas commitment. He chose family.
Also read: Katya Jones: Relationship, Age, and Strictly Journey | Pasha Kovalev: Life After Strictly, Family, and Dance Career
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Frequently asked questions
How many series of Strictly did Gorka Marquez participate in?
He participated in eight series from 2016 to 2023. His last appearance as a professional was with Nikita Kanda in 2023 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
Did Gorka Marquez win Strictly?
No, he reached the final twice (with Alexandra Burke in 2017 and Maisie Smith in 2020) but finished runner-up both times (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
What is Gorka Marquez’s dance background?
He trained in Latin and ballroom from a young age in Bilbao, Spain. He competed internationally before joining Strictly (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
Where does Gorka Marquez live?
He lives in Manchester, UK, with Gemma Atkinson and their two children (Heat magazine (UK celebrity news outlet)).
Does Gorka Marquez have any siblings?
Yes, he has a brother. The brother has occasionally appeared on Gorka’s social media, but his name is not widely reported.
How old is Gorka Marquez?
Born 4 September 1990, he is 34 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
What other TV shows has Gorka Marquez appeared on?
He has been a judge on Bailando con las estrellas (Spain’s DWTS) since 2019, and has appeared on ITV’s Lorraine and BBC’s The One Show as a guest.
What is Gorka Marquez’s height and weight?
He is approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) tall. His weight varies with training, but he maintains a lean dancer’s physique.
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.