STRICT couple Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez are reportedly ‘going through a tough time’ ahead of their wedding.
The couple, who have daughter Mia, four, and six-month-old son Thiago together, are said to be struggling with ‘tension’ in their relationship due to Gorka’s work commitments keeping him away from the family home.
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Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson are reportedly going through a ‘tough period’ ahead of their weddingCredit: Instagram
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The couple are the parents of children Mije and Thiago Zasluga: instagram/glouiseatkinson
According to The Mirror, mum-of-two Gemma has become “frustrated” as she is “effectively raising two children on her own”.
Insiders close to the couple claim Gorka was unable to return to the family home in Manchester during the final six weeks of Strictly Come Dancing at the end of last year – despite being kicked out in week three.
And now Gorka has signed up to be a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly, known as ‘Bailando con las Estrellas’, which means he’ll be spending a lot of time in Madrid for work.
A source told the publication: “Gemma knows how important Gorka’s work is to him and does whatever it takes to support him. But she found it challenging when he couldn’t travel back to Manchester to spend time with her and the children, even when he was kicked out of last year’s series.
“She was hoping she would have more time after the concert was over, as he usually gives up on touring to focus on family.
“But then he signed up for Bailando con las Estrellas, and the plan changed. Gemma knows he just wants to support his family, but it’s disappointing for her. It’s a really difficult time for them.
“As with any couple, the longer they are apart, the more tension there is between them.”
Gorka is said to be frustrated himself, as his work schedule means the family has been unable to arrange a trip to his hometown of Bilbao so his youngest child, Thiago, can meet his elderly parents.
Gemma and Gorka got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2021.
They met when Gemma competed on Strictly in 2017. Her professional partner was Aljaž Škorjanec, but the romance with Gorko blossomed behind the scenes.
Gorka and Gemma then competed as a duo in Strictly’s 2019 Christmas special.
The couple has yet to confirm their wedding day, but earlier for Hello! that it turned out to be stressful.
Speaking about the “stress” of planning the wedding, Gemma said: “We’ve talked about the wedding a few times, talking about what we want to do.
“Half the time we say we should just go to the registry office and do it there and then it’s over, then we have a big party. I think that’s the way we’re going to go.”
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Gemma and Gorka took part in the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing 2019. Credit: BBC
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