Gemma Atkinson Opens Up About Tough Times with Gorka

has lifted the lid on difficult times with her fiancé  after he quit Strictly Come Dancing.

The Spanish ballroom professional, 35, is the latest high profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year's bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year. 

'I've decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and ,' Gorka said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The show introduced Gorka to his partner, actress Gemma, who he shares children Mia, six, and Thiago, two, with, after the pair met when she was a competitor on the show back in 2017. 

The couple now share the Lost In Translation podcast and in a resurfaced clip from several weeks ago, Gemma was seen recalling a recent moment where Gorka frustrated her - adding: 'I ".'

In the clip, previously shared on Instagram, Gemma said: 'Gorka came back from New York, you might have not seen yourself doing this.'

'I moan about everything,' Gorka began, as Gemma said: 'No... You walked around the house like an inspector doing a check on a tenant. 

'You were literally doing this [acts out Gorka investigating the house]. Then I went upstairs, and I heard you say, "I've been away for one week, and you take my shelf". 

'And then it dawned on me, Mia and Thiago were playing, rearranging. They were playing shops - and I thought, "Oh, bless them. They've not put stuff back". 

'And as I was walking up the stairs, I mumbled to myself, thinking... I thought "Shut the f*** up Gorka" and I just stomped upstairs. You might have heard me.'

On Tuesday, Gorka confirmed his permanent departure from  Come Dancing – putting an end to ongoing uncertainty regarding his future on the show.

The Spanish ballroom professional is the latest high-profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year's bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year. 

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, he wrote: 'After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.

'I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the for everything. 

'Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful. 

'Although I’m stepping away from the dance floor, I can’t wait to dance on the Strictly Pro Tour starting this week and .

'Now it’s time to take a step back, enjoy the sidelines… and hopefully hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way.

'Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey. Keep dancing.' 

Gorka's departure from Strictly Come Dancing

Their replacements have yet to be announced, and Strictly bosses have still not announced who will be the new hosts of the programme following the departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after the 2025 Christmas Special.

The dancer previously took a short break from the show after signing up for a three-week stint as a judge on the show's Spanish version, Bailando Con Las Estrellas, in 2025. 

A schedule clash with Strictly Come Dancing resulted in Gorka appearing as part of the ensemble for the first seven weeks before travelling to Spain for a month, returning to the BBC show for its eleventh week. 

Producers are said to want a 'fresh start' for the BBC One show, with new presenters to be announced soon after long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman decided it was time for them to go. 

It's understood that those with bigger online followings have been  as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience. 

One example appears to be axed Nadiya Bychkova, 36, who boasts 19,000 followers, while , also 36, with 966,000 followers has kept her place in the line-up.

Karen Hauer, who was Strictly's longest-serving female dancer, is a similar story with her 9,000 followers while safe newcomer Alexis Warr, 25, has a whopping 190,000.