14 October 2023 , 17:00
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Professional dancer Gorka Marquez has opened up about juggling Strictly and being a dad to his young children - and his conversations with other tired co-stars who are parents to youngsters.
Gorka, 33, became a dad for the second time to baby Thiago with partner Gemma Atkinson, 38, in July. They also share four-year-old daughter Mia. That same month, former Strictly pro Aljaz Skorjanec and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara welcomed their baby daughter Lyra. Most recently, fellow pro Neil Jones welcomed his first child with Love Island fiance Chyna Mills, while is dad to twins George and Henrietta with wife Hannah Summers.
Speaking about the growing group of Strictly dads, Gorka told the Mirror: "Yeah, the daddies group! Anton has the twins as well, yeah it’s really good. We have to make a daddies group chat and share tips! I remember when I went away in August for the group numbers, [Aljaz and I] messaged each other and he said, ‘I haven’t slept' and I was like, ‘I’m not at home’ and he was like, ‘Lucky you!’"
"No one wants to be away from their kids for a long time," he continued. "At the end of the day I know I’m doing it for them and Mia loves watching it, so I do my best to make them proud of me. I know after this finishes I’ll be home."
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez at the Pride Of Britain Awards 2023
Aljaz and Janette welcomed daughter Lyra in JulyJoining her partner on the Pride of Britain red carpet, Gemma quipped: "I’ll be sick of him! I’ll be like, ‘Come on, September again!' in the New Year.'"
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
However, Gemma added that she loved watching Gorka on the BBC show with their children at home. "[Mia] is just gutted the Will Mellor isn’t dancing this year! She’s so obsessed with Will, she likes Adam Thomas as well now, doesn’t she? But we love it. We put the duvet on the couch, malteasers or a pizza and watch the TV screen."
Gemma does enjoy coming to Strictly studio to watch the BBC show live, but she prefers attending in Blackpool when she is closer to home. "I always say to him I’d come to the last few weeks so it’s a shorter show cos otherwise you’re in there from 4 o’clock until 11," she explained. Gorka added: "She always comes to Blackpool because it’s near us and if anything happens with the kids she can drive down."
Gorka also opened up about Amy Dowden, praising her bravery after she returned to Strictly last weekend without a wig following her chemotherapy treatment. "I love Amy, everything she’s been through… I’m getting goosebumps just saying it," he said. "Everything she’s going through, she’s such a warrior. She was a warrior before and even now - with everything she’s going through she has a smile and I know she’s inspired so many people, helped so many people out there.
"So I’m grateful we have our family on Strictly, we’re all here supporting her. She has such a strong mentality - like I said before, she was a warrior. I was having a chat with her the other day and she has such a positive mind, she’s so determined."