Dancing pro Gorka Marquez has shot to stardom after joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
The dancer now enjoys a busy homelife with fiance Gemma Atkinson and their daughter.
Who is Gorka Marquez?
31-year-old Gorka was born on September 4, 1990 and is a Spanish dancer and choreographer.
He joined Strictly in 2016 and was partnered with EastEnders actress, Tameka Empson.
On that same series, Gorka famously stepped in for Brendan Cole when he was too ill to dance with his partner Anastacia.
He is also known for the live dance show, Burn the Floor.
When was Gorka Marquez’s baby born?
Gorka and Gemma welcomed their baby girl into the world on July, 4, 2019.
The proud parents posted a snap of their daughter on Instagram two weeks after her birth and revealed their daughter’s name is Mia Louise Marquez.
The cute snap shows ‘Mini Marquez’ – as she’s been affectionately nicknamed – quietly snoozing in her crib while wearing a cosy pink knitted jumper and some white sock on her feet.
The couple revealed they were expecting their first baby on February 1, 2019.
Who is Gorka Marquez’s Strictly 2020 partner?
Strictly Come Dancing’s latest celebrities will be paired with their professional partners during the launch show on tonight.
The 15 celebrities, who include Olympian Adam Peaty, rugby star Ugo Monye and TV presenter Judi Love, will make their debut on the dancefloor during a group number in tonight’s launch show at 7.45pm.
Also competing will be EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, TV presenter AJ Odudu, Dragons’ Den investor Sara Davies, McFly star Tom Fletcher, Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, TV presenter Tilly Ramsay, comedian Robert Webb, CBBC host Rhys Stephenson and actor Greg Wise.
EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis will be the first deaf contestant to appear in the series.
Meanwhile, Dan Walker revealed he was taken to A&E after bumping his head.
The TV presenter, 44, has been training for the BBC show ahead of tonight’s launch show, and said he hit his head on a “big glass window” on Thursday and was taken to hospital a day later after “feeling a little wobbly”.
For the 2020 series Gorka was paired with EastEnders star Maisie Smith.
Are Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson engaged?
Gemma Atkinson is engaged after Gorka Marquez proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2021.
The former Emmerdale actress revealed the happy news in a romantic Instagram post today with a picture of her and Spanish dancer Gorka, 30.
Posing next to her husband to be, Gemma, 36, flashed her diamond engagement ring.
She captioned the snap: “Valentine’s forever… Of course I said yes.”
Gorka also shared the news with his 650,000 followers, posting the same picture of them.
He wrote: “The best day with my forever Valentine’s.“I asked and she said YES!!!!!!”
The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing four years ago and have been together ever since.
They are parents to one year old daughter Mia.
When was Gorka assaulted?
Gorka was set upon by a gang of youths just hours after he appeared on the live Blackpool week of Strictly 2016.
He had two teeth smashed out in the assault, which took place as he walked to a nightclub with friends and fellow Strictly professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones.
He had to undergo emergency dental surgery.
Ever the professional, he returned to the show in order to perform in the group routines for the rest of the series.
