Former soapstar Gemma Atkinson met professional dancer Gorka Marquez when the pair met on Strictly, and while they announced their engagement in 2019, the pair are yet to officially marry
Gorka Marquez has dropped a significant revelation about his relationship with Gemma Atkinson, hinting at a future wedding. The Spanish dancer first met the former Emmerdale actress back when she competed in Strictly Come Dancing 2017.
Gemma, 40, reached the final of the show with dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Gorka was teamed up with Alexandra Burke, as Joe McFadden clinch the coveted Glitterball Trophy that year.
The path to romance was paved during their time on the programme for Gorka and Gemma, who went public with their love story in early 2018. By February 2019, the duo, proud parents to Mia, aged five, and two-year-old Thiago, shared news of their engagement.
Yet, the couple has not exchanged vows so far. Gorka recently disclosed that while prior plans to tie the knot existed, life events such as Gemma's pregnancies and the Covid pandemic intervened.
Despite the delay, Gorka has confirmed they still plan to make it official. Chatting with Heat magazine, Gorka remarked: "We're going to get married but we're happy how we are. We have two children, so it doesn't matter if we sign a document or not."
The Strictly sensation suggested they might consider marriage once little Thiago is a bit older, as he addressed why the wedding has been postponed.
In an exclusive chat with HELLO!, he shared: "It will be nice, but we wanted to get married before, but then we had Mia. Then COVID happened. Then after COVID we got pregnant with Thiago. [Gemma] was like: 'I'm not going to have a wedding pregnant after the pregnancy she's like I need to get in shape. I don't want to go after the baby.
"And also Thiago now still not independent so we say when they are old enough they both can walk and be independent. Imagine being on your wedding and he's crying and just wants mummy."
Gemma has previously said she "feels married" to Gorka, who recently took part in Soccer Aid, as the pair announced they are looking for a second home abroad. The Hits Radio star made the announcement during a question and answer session on Instagram.
She remarked: "Possibly next year... We've been back and forth about registry offices/going to Spain.
None of us want a big fuss or lots of guests so we may just go and do it with just family and come back and have a huge party! I've never wanted a big white wedding. More than happy with a lovely small one [red heart emoji]. We feel married anyway."
When asked by another follower if she would consider moving from the UK to Spain, she responded: "We've actually just sent final details to an estate agent in Malaga about a property there.
"Not to live full time but somewhere we can go at the drop of a hat, even for weekends, and Gorka's parents can meet us there. I really want both Mia and Thiago to know their Spanish roots and be able to travel to and from frequently."
