September 15th 2024.
The stars of Strictly Come Dancing have shown their unwavering support for their fellow dancer, Gorka Marquez. The 34-year-old pro dancer was left in tears and his colleagues and loved ones have been quick to rally around him.
Gorka returned to the BBC One competition on Saturday night, alongside other dancers like Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell. It was revealed that Gorka would be partnered with Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan and the pair are set to perform their first live dance together next week.
However, Gorka shared a tearful image on Instagram, revealing the emotional toll that the rigorous training has taken on him. He also shared that he has been separated from his family in Manchester, including his partner Gemma Atkinson and their two beautiful children.
Gemma and Gorka first met when she appeared on Strictly in 2017 and the couple has since become a fan favorite. They often give fans a glimpse into their lives as a family of four on social media and even starred in their own reality show, Gemma and Gorka: Behind The Lens.
For those who can't get enough of Strictly, there's now a way to stay in the loop with all the behind-the-scenes gossip. Metro has created a WhatsApp channel for fans to join and be the first to receive all the latest news and rumors from the dancefloor. Simply click on the link and select 'Join Chat' to become a member.
On Sunday, Gorka shared a heartfelt post and a picture of himself in tears on Instagram. He opened up about the vulnerability that comes with showing a different side of himself and shared that he often hides this aspect of his emotions, especially because he is a man.
He wrote, "Sometimes I feel like all we share are happy things or things that can make others go, 'Wow, look at him/her, how amazing.' We may be scared to show our more vulnerable side, but that is still a part of us. So here I am, having a moment of those that we sometimes hide or keep to ourselves."
Gorka's post was met with an outpouring of supportive comments from his co-stars, who also shared their own experiences with the emotional toll of being away from their families during Strictly season.
Gorka also acknowledged the excitement and joy that comes with being part of the show, but also expressed feelings of sadness and guilt for leaving his family behind. He shared, "A feeling of letting them down for not being there, a sense of failure to them. But at the same time, I know I do it for them and I know how much joy it brings to them and how proud they are when they watch me. And yes, it makes it all worth it. But I still feel like this at times."
His partner, Gemma Atkinson, also showed her support in the comments, joking about Gorka taking all his good hoodies with him and expressing her excitement to see him perform. She also shared that their daughter, Mia, has already given her instructions for Saturday nights.
Gorka's fellow Strictly stars also shared their love and support, with Amy writing, "Oh Gorka, they are so proud of you and love you endlessly! You are teaching your darling children so much. They look up to their daddy! Remember that xxxx."
Dianne added, "Gorks, sending you love and I can't imagine how hard leaving your babies must be. But they love their daddy so much and you're making them proud every day."
Gorka's celebrity partner from last year's Strictly, Nikita Kanda, also commented, "You are amazing, my friend. Keep making your family proud."
Gemma has previously shared that Gorka always makes an effort to come home when he can, even if it's just for a few hours, despite the demanding schedule of training and dance tours throughout the year. Gorka also acknowledged the challenges of being away from his family, but shared that it is a common experience for many people, including his own father when he was growing up.
As Strictly Come Dancing continues, Gorka's fans and loved ones will undoubtedly continue to show their unwavering support for him.
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