Gorka Marquez has built a successful career that stretches from competitive Latin and ballroom dancing to British television, international stage shows and judging. Best known to UK audiences for Strictly Come Dancing, the Spanish dancer became a familiar face on the BBC programme after joining its professional lineup in 2016.
His journey, however, began long before his television debut. Born in Bilbao, Spain, Marquez started dancing as a child and went on to represent Spain in international competitions. He later toured internationally with Burn the Floor before bringing his expertise to Strictly Come Dancing.
Away from dance, Marquez is also known for his relationship with British actress and presenter Gemma Atkinson. The couple met through Strictly, became engaged in 2021 and have two children together.
This guide explores Gorka Marquez’s early life, professional dancing career, Strictly Come Dancing highlights, relationship with Gemma Atkinson, family life and his move into judging and other projects.
4. Key Takeaways
- Gorka Marquez was born on 4 September 1990 in Bilbao, Spain.
- He began dancing at the age of 12 and later represented Spain internationally.
- He joined the professional cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
- He reached the Strictly final three times, with Alexandra Burke, Maisie Smith and Helen Skelton.
- He is engaged to Gemma Atkinson and they have two children, Mia and Thiago.
- In 2025, he worked as a judge on Spain’s Bailando con las Estrellas, and in 2026 he announced his departure from Strictly.
5. Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gorka Marquez |
| Date of Birth | 4 September 1990 |
| Age | 36 as of September 2026 |
| Birthplace | Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Profession | Professional dancer, choreographer, judge and fitness professional |
| Education | Not reliably reported publicly |
| Years Active | Professional career spanning more than a decade |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing, international dance performances and Bailando con las Estrellas |
| Major Achievements | Three Strictly final appearances; international competitive dancing; Burn the Floor performer |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not reliably established by authoritative public sources |
6. Main Article
Who Is Gorka Marquez?
Gorka Marquez is a Spanish professional ballroom and Latin dancer and choreographer who became widely known in Britain through Strictly Come Dancing.
He was born in Bilbao on 4 September 1990 and developed an interest in dancing at a young age. According to biographical profiles, he began formal dance training when he was 12. His early dedication eventually took him from Spanish competitions to international dance stages.
Although television made him particularly recognizable in the UK, his professional credentials were established before he joined the BBC show. He represented Spain at the World Latin Championships in 2010 and reached the semi-finals of the 2012 WDSF World Cup.
That competitive background helped shape the technical style that later became one of his strengths on television.
Gorka Marquez’s Early Dance Career
Marquez’s route into professional dancing began in Spain.
Starting at 12 gave him years of training before he reached international competition. Ballroom and Latin dancing require a combination of technical precision, rhythm, physical fitness and the ability to perform under pressure. His progression into international competitions demonstrated that dancing was more than a hobby for him.
In 2010, he represented Spain at the World Latin Championships. Two years later, he reached the semi-finals of the WDSF World Cup. These experiences gave him exposure to high-level competitive dancing and international audiences.
His career then moved beyond competitions. In 2014, Marquez joined Burn the Floor, a globally touring dance production. The role allowed him to perform internationally and develop his stage presence outside the competitive ballroom environment.
This period was important because it broadened his professional experience before his television breakthrough.
Gorka Marquez and Strictly Come Dancing
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016.
His first celebrity partner was EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. Their run was relatively short, with the pair eliminated in the third week. However, Marquez quickly demonstrated that his debut was only the beginning of his Strictly career.
His second series produced a very different result.
Alexandra Burke
In 2017, Marquez was partnered with singer Alexandra Burke. The pairing became one of the strongest partnerships of his early Strictly career.
They reached the final and finished as joint runners-up. Their performances were particularly notable for their high scores, helping establish Marquez as a professional capable of taking a celebrity contestant deep into the competition.
Katie Piper
In 2018, Marquez partnered with television presenter and campaigner Katie Piper.
Their journey ended in the earlier stages of the competition, but the series gave Marquez another opportunity to demonstrate his ability to adapt his choreography and teaching style to a different celebrity partner.
Maisie Smith
Marquez returned to the final in 2020 with actress Maisie Smith.
Their partnership became another major highlight of his Strictly career, with the couple finishing as runners-up. Their performances showcased the combination of technical ability, choreography and performance quality that had become associated with Marquez.
Katie McGlynn
In 2021, Marquez was partnered with Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn.
Their run ended in the early part of the competition, finishing 14th according to published Strictly records.
Helen Skelton
One of Marquez’s most memorable Strictly partnerships came in 2022, when he danced with television presenter Helen Skelton.
The pair reached the final and finished as runners-up. Their progress from the beginning of the competition to the final became another example of Marquez’s ability to develop a celebrity partner throughout a series.
Nikita Kanda and Dr Punam Krishan
In 2023, Marquez partnered with BBC Asian Network presenter Nikita Kanda. They were eliminated during the early stages.
The following year, he was partnered with NHS doctor and television personality Dr Punam Krishan. Their run ended in 11th place, but their performances included a Bollywood-inspired Couple’s Choice routine that attracted attention during the series.
Gorka Marquez’s Strictly Record
A simplified look at his celebrity partnerships shows how his career developed:
| Year | Celebrity Partner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Tameka Empson | 14th |
| 2017 | Alexandra Burke | Joint runner-up |
| 2018 | Katie Piper | 13th |
| 2019 | Pro-dance appearances | No celebrity partnership |
| 2020 | Maisie Smith | Runner-up |
| 2021 | Katie McGlynn | 14th |
| 2022 | Helen Skelton | Runner-up |
| 2023 | Nikita Kanda | 14th |
| 2024 | Dr Punam Krishan | 11th |
Across these appearances, his three trips to the final stand out as one of the defining achievements of his Strictly career.
Why Gorka Marquez Became Popular on Strictly
Marquez‘s appeal has not depended solely on his technical dancing.
Professional dancers on a television competition need to do much more than perform. They must teach choreography, adapt routines to a partner’s abilities, work under tight rehearsal schedules and communicate complicated dance movements in an accessible way.
Marquez’s competitive background gave him technical expertise, while his experience with Burn the Floor provided valuable stage experience. His repeated appearances in the Strictly final also demonstrated his ability to build successful partnerships with different celebrities.
Gorka Marquez’s Move Into Judging
Marquez’s career eventually expanded beyond being a professional dancer.
He became involved with Spain’s Bailando con las Estrellas, the Spanish adaptation of the international celebrity dance format. He initially worked in a teaching role before moving into the judging panel. Telecinco describes him as a professional ballroom dancer and choreographer who became a judge on the programme.
In 2025, he returned to the programme as a judge. Marquez explained that his own experience as a contestant influenced his approach to judging, saying he wanted to offer constructive criticism while understanding how difficult it can be for contestants to prepare choreography in a short period.
This represented an important development in his career: instead of being judged primarily on his own performances, he was now evaluating other dancers.
Why Gorka Marquez Did Not Have a Strictly Partner in 2025
Marquez did not have a celebrity partner during the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The reason was a scheduling commitment in Spain. He returned as a judge on Bailando con las Estrellas, which meant he could not commit to a full Strictly partnership. He did, however, remain involved in group performances around his other commitments.
His absence from the celebrity competition therefore did not represent an immediate end to his relationship with Strictly at that point.
Gorka Marquez Leaves Strictly Come Dancing
In 2026, Marquez’s relationship with Strictly Come Dancing entered a new chapter.
The BBC confirmed that he was among five professional dancers leaving the programme ahead of the 2026 series. Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk were also named among the departing professionals.
His departure marked the end of a decade-long association with the show. Marquez had first joined the professional lineup in 2016 and subsequently became one of its familiar faces.
Importantly, leaving Strictly does not mean that he has left the dance industry. His work as a performer, choreographer, judge and fitness professional gives him several avenues for continuing his career.
Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson
Gorka Marquez’s personal life has also attracted considerable public interest, particularly his relationship with actress and presenter Gemma Atkinson.
The pair met through Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Their relationship developed after their time connected to the programme, and they eventually became one of the UK’s best-known celebrity couples associated with Strictly.
They welcomed their first child, daughter Mia, in July 2019. In February 2021, Marquez proposed to Atkinson on Valentine’s Day.
The couple later welcomed their second child, son Thiago Thomas, in July 2023. Atkinson announced his birth and described the family as complete.
Are Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson Married?
No. They are engaged rather than married, according to recent reporting.
Marquez proposed in 2021, but the couple have continued their family life without rushing into a wedding. In an interview, Marquez explained that they were comfortable with their situation and viewed their commitment to each other as more important than the legal document of marriage.
This has become a recurring point of interest for fans because of their long-term relationship and growing family.
Gorka Marquez as a Father
Family life has become an important part of Marquez’s identity away from the ballroom.
He and Atkinson have two children, Mia and Thiago. Their approach to parenting has also featured in interviews, with Marquez describing everyday family activities and sharing how he and Atkinson divide responsibilities when his professional schedule takes him away from home.
Balancing professional dance with parenting can be demanding because television productions, rehearsals, tours and international work can require long periods away from home. Marquez has spoken positively about the importance of teamwork within his relationship.
What Does Gorka Marquez Do Now?
As of 2026, Marquez’s career extends beyond his former role as a Strictly Come Dancing professional.
His professional activities have included:
- Ballroom and Latin dancing
- Choreography
- Television appearances
- Judging dance competitions
- Fitness work
- Live dance performances
- Content creation
His work on Bailando con las Estrellas has been particularly significant because it allows him to use his competitive and television experience from the other side of the judging table.
His career demonstrates how professional dancers can build multiple roles from the same core expertise. Competitive dancing established his technical credentials, while television and live performance expanded his public profile.
Gorka Marquez’s Career Beyond Strictly
It would be misleading to describe Marquez’s career solely through Strictly Come Dancing.
Before joining the BBC programme, he had already competed internationally and performed with Burn the Floor. These experiences helped establish him as a professional dancer before he became a household name among UK television viewers.
His subsequent move into judging also shows how his career has evolved. Rather than remaining exclusively focused on performing, he has begun using his experience to assess, guide and encourage other dancers.
That progression gives his career a broader shape: competitor, performer, television professional and judge.
Gorka Marquez’s Career Highlights at a Glance
Several moments stand out when looking at his professional journey:
- Beginning dance training at 12 — the foundation of his professional career.
- Representing Spain internationally — including the 2010 World Latin Championships.
- Reaching the 2012 WDSF World Cup semi-finals — another significant competitive achievement.
- Joining Burn the Floor in 2014 — giving him international stage experience.
- Joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 — his major British television breakthrough.
- Reaching the Strictly final with Alexandra Burke — his first final appearance.
- Returning to the final with Maisie Smith — another major competitive run.
- Reaching the final with Helen Skelton — his third final appearance.
- Becoming a judge on Bailando con las Estrellas — expanding his role within televised dance.
- Leaving Strictly in 2026 — beginning a new stage of his professional career.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gorka Marquez?
Gorka Marquez was born on 4 September 1990, making him 36 years old in September 2026.
Where is Gorka Marquez from?
Gorka Marquez is from Bilbao in the Basque Country of Spain. He began his dance training there before developing an international career.
Is Gorka Marquez still on Strictly Come Dancing?
No. Marquez announced his departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2026, and the BBC confirmed that he would not be part of the 2026 professional lineup.
Who is Gorka Marquez’s partner?
Gorka Marquez is engaged to British actress and presenter Gemma Atkinson. They met through Strictly Come Dancing and have two children together.
How many children does Gorka Marquez have?
Marquez and Gemma Atkinson have two children: daughter Mia, born in 2019, and son Thiago Thomas, born in 2023.
How many times has Gorka Marquez reached the Strictly final?
He reached the Strictly Come Dancing final three times: with Alexandra Burke in 2017, Maisie Smith in 2020 and Helen Skelton in 2022. He finished as runner-up on each occasion.
Why did Gorka Marquez not have a celebrity partner in 2025?
He did not have a celebrity partner in 2025 because his filming commitments as a judge on Spain’s Bailando con las Estrellas conflicted with the Strictly schedule.
Is Gorka Marquez a judge?
Yes. Marquez has served as a judge on Spain’s Bailando con las Estrellas, bringing his experience as a competitive dancer and Strictly professional to the judging panel.
8. Conclusion
Gorka Marquez‘s career is much broader than his years on Strictly Come Dancing. From beginning dance training at 12 in Bilbao to representing Spain internationally, performing around the world with Burn the Floor and becoming one of Strictly’s most recognizable professionals, his career has developed steadily across several areas of the dance industry.
His three Strictly final appearances, with Alexandra Burke, Maisie Smith and Helen Skelton, remain among his most notable television achievements. At the same time, his relationship with Gemma Atkinson and their two children has become an important part of his public life.
With his move into judging and his departure from Strictly in 2026, Marquez is entering a different stage of his career. His experience as a competitor, performer and television professional gives him a strong foundation for continuing to work in dance both in the UK and internationally.
