Gorka Márquez

Gorka Márquez (; born 4 September 1990) is a Spanish professional dancer, best known for appearing on the British dance show ''Strictly Come Dancing''.

Early life

Márquez began dancing at the age of 12, and in 2010 he represented Spain at the World Latin Championships, before reaching the semi-finals of the 2012 World DanceSport Federation World Cup. In 2014, Márquez joined the touring live dance show ''Burn the Floor'' as one of their leads, performing with the dance company all over the world.

''Strictly Come Dancing''

In 2016 Márquez became a professional dancer on the BBC ballroom dancing show ''Strictly Come Dancing'' for its fourteenth series. He was partnered with ''EastEnders'' actress Tameka Empson, and they were eliminated in week three of the competition.

In 2017 Márquez returned in the show's fifteenth series. He was partnered with singer and former ''The X Factor'' winner, Alexandra Burke. They reached the final, finishing as joint runners-up. With Burke, Márquez broke the record for achieving the most tens in a single series with 32, surpassing Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse’s previous record of 28 tens, and held it until the twenty-second series, when Burke and Marquez were topped by Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, who achieved the new record of scoring 33 tens in a single series.

In 2018 Márquez participated in the show's sixteenth series, where he was partnered with television presenter and campaigner Katie Piper. The couple were eliminated in week four of the competition, finishing in 13th place.

The following year, Márquez announced that he had been demoted from the main professional line-up, but explained that he would still participate in the weekly group dances.

In 2020 Márquez returned as a professional for the show's eighteenth series, reaching the final with ''EastEnders'' actress Maisie Smith.

In 2021 Márquez returned in the show's nineteenth series, reaching week three with ''Coronation Street'' actress Katie McGlynn.

In 2022 Márquez returned in the show's twentieth series, reaching the final with television presenter Helen Skelton.

In 2023, in the show's twenty-first series, he was partnered with Nikita Kanda and in week three the couple were second to be eliminated.

In 2024, in the show's twenty-second series, he was partnered with Punam Krishan and in week six the couple were fifth to be eliminated.

Highest and lowest scores

Highest and lowest scores per dance

Series 14: with Tameka Empson

Series 15: with Alexandra Burke

Series 16: with Katie Piper

Series 18: with Maisie Smith

Series 19: with Katie McGlynn

Series 20: with Helen Skelton

Series 21: with Nikita Kanda

Series 22: with Dr. Punam Krishan

Dance tours and other professional engagements

In August 2023 Márquez announced he would be teaching & performing with Karen Hauer at Donahey's 2024 Dancing with The Stars Weekends.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

He danced with his partner, Gemma, for the 2019 ''Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special''. It was announced he would dance with Keisha Buchanan for the 2023 ''Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special''.

Personal life

Márquez got engaged to the British actress Gemma Atkinson on Valentine's Day 2021. Atkinson gave birth to a baby girl, Mia on 4 July 2019. On 19 July 2023, Atkinson announced she had given birth to their second child, a boy, Thiago.

In 2025 Márquez was a substitute, in the Rest of the World team, in the Soccer Aid for UNICEF game, who were victorious defeating England XI 5–4.

He is a supporter of Manchester United F. C.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marquez, Gorka
1990 births
Living people
Participants in British reality television series
People from Bilbao
Spanish choreographers
Spanish expatriates in England
Spanish male dancers