Gorka Marquez ‘persuaded to stay on Strictly Come Dancing after seven year itch almost saw him quit’
Gorka Marquez was persuaded to stay on Strictly Come Dancing for another series after almost quitting because he had the ‘seven year itch’, it has been claimed.
The dancer, 32, was close to winning the show’s last series with Helen Skelton, coming second.
As he was so close to a victory, he was sad not to win the series – but producers managed to sway him into participating in the 21st season.
A source told the Sun: ‘There was no ill feeling between him and the bosses of Strictly, he simply felt like he’d been with the show for a long time and had never enjoyed a victory.
‘So he’s spent the last four months mulling over his future and, despite the disappointment of defeat last year, is still in love with the show.’
U-turn: Gorka Marquez was persuaded to stay on Strictly Come Dancing for another series after almost quitting because he had the ‘seven year itch’, it has been claimed
Close to a win: The dancer, 32, was close to winning the show’s last series with Helen Skelton (pictured together), coming second
The source added: ‘Unlike other stars on the programme, he didn’t feel the need to have a drawn-out wrangle with the BBC over pay, and they offered him a deal which he was happy with.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Gorka and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
Gorka, who is engaged to actress Gemma Atkinson, 38, is preparing to welcome his second child with her, a baby boy.
The couple, who already share Mia, three, met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2021.
During an interview on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Gorka, 32, previously revealed the pair were hoping to marry in 2022.
He said: ‘We want to make the wedding for all the family and friends.
‘We want to plan it properly and have all the family from Spain, all the family from here, friends and everyone coming together.’
She admitted they have considered going to the ‘registry office just to do it’ but it would leave her family disappointed.
Though they haven’t done much planning, she said they have both agreed they only want close family at the nuptials but will throw a huge party to celebrate a week later.
Romance: Gorka, who is engaged to actress Gemma Atkinson, 38, (pictured together) is preparing to welcome his second child with her, a baby boy
Gemma previously said: ‘There have been a few times now where we’ve driven past a registry office and said “Shall we just go in and do it?”
‘We’ve not planned anything other than we know we want it really small and really intimate.
‘We’ve agreed on just close family, a handful of friends and a big party a week or so after.’
Holiday: The couple, who already share Mia, three, met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and got engaged on Valentine’s Day in 2021
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk