Gemma Atkinson is reportedly ‘struggling’ with fiancé Gorka Marquez’s hefty work commitments as the couple work through an alleged ‘rough patch’ in their relationship.
Last year, the actress, 39, was said to be ‘frustrated’ when the professional dancer, 33, was unable to get home during the final six weeks of Strictly Come Dancing, despite being voted out in week three with partner Nikita Kanda.
Gorka has now signed up as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly, Bailando con las Estrellas, which will see him spend a lot of time in Madrid for filming.
As the Spanish dancer jets across Europe for his new role, Gemma has been caring for their daughter Mia, four, and son Thiago, six months, with a source telling The Mirror she has ‘effectively raising two kids by herself.’
The insider added: Gemma knows how important Gorka’s work is to him and goes above and beyond to be supportive but she found it challenging when he wasn’t able to travel back to Manchester to spend time with her and the kids, even when he’d been voted off last year’s series.’
Gemma Atkinson is reportedly ‘struggling’ with fiancé Gorka Marquez’s hefty work commitments as the couple work through an alleged ‘rough patch’ in their relationship
On his new role on Spanish Strictly, they added: ‘Gemma knows he’s just wanting to support his family, but it’s disappointing for her. It’s a really rough patch for them.
‘Gemma was focusing on the end of the series as the end point – but the judging role was too good an opportunity to miss. As with any couple, the longer they’re apart, the more tension there is between them.’
has contacted Gemma and Gorka’s representatives for comment.
Gorka confirmed his new job on Instagram last week, sharing: ‘I finally can share the news that I will be one of the judges in the Spanish version of Strictly, Bailando con las Estrellas @bailandoest.
‘So excited to [be] back in Spain and doing the show that changed my whole life and excited to be sat on the other side of the floor this time even if I am not sure I will be able to hold myself and not dance.
‘First show is this Saturday (13.01.24) and I can’t wait.’
Gemma was quick to show her support in the comments section, writing: ‘Woohoo! So proud and so excited to watch (if I can figure out the Spanish tele).’
Last month, Gemma shared her reaction after Gorka returned home from Strictly.
She wrote: ‘After 3 and a half weeks he’s home! I’ve well and truly handed them over. Bye hun. Mum’s off for sit down. @gorka_marquez!’
Last year, the actress, 39, was said to be ‘frustrated’ when the professional dancer, 33, was unable to get home during the final six weeks of Strictly Come Dancing
Gorka confirmed his new job as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly on Instagram last week and Gemma was quick to show her support in the comments section, writing: ‘Woohoo!’
Gorka had been away preparing for the Strictly final after his appearance on the show was cut short due to his exit in week two.
It came after Gemma spoke about how Gorka needs to be ‘passionate’ with his Strictly partners in order to score highly – as she rubbished the show’s curse.
Gemma, who welcomed her second child in July, spoke about the importance of a connection between the dancers and how they needed ‘chemistry.’
A former contestant herself back in 2017, she told The Metro: ‘I remember when I had to dance the rumba with Aljaž.
‘Everyone said, ‘You have to look into his eyes and get close,’ and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is awful! But the dance looked rubbish because I didn’t do it.
‘So then I remember saying to Helen [Skelton], ‘You’ve got to be passionate with Gorka, that’s part of the dance.’ I’m always rooting for them to have chemistry!’
When asked if she has any ‘anxiety’ when Gorka, 33, is away, she defiantly said no and joked that she only cared where he was based so he could help her with the school run after rehearsals.
She added: ‘I think if we were together all day, every day, 24/7, we’d probably hate it. It’s been like that for our whole relationship, so I guess it probably works because of that, we don’t know any different, really.’
Last month, Gemma shared her reaction after Gorka returned home from Strictly, joking of their children Mia, four, and Thiago, six months, ‘well and truly handed them over’
Gorka had been away preparing for the Strictly final after his appearance on the show was cut short due to his exit in week two with celebrity partner Nikita Kanda