Gorka Marquez says 'I just feel sorry' as he leaves Strictly Come Dancing star 'crying'

Gorka Marquez has seen heaping praise on his fiancee Gemma Atkinson as he broke down in tears over spending time away from her and their children. The couple are constantly quizzed on how they cope with long periods of separation with Gorka's dancing career often taking him away from weeks - even months- at a time.

Gorka and Gemma met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, where Gorka is a professional dancer on the show, and they got engaged in 2021. They are also proud parents to daughter Mia, four, and son Thiago, 11 months.

But Gemma, 39, has previously said how a concerned family member checked in on the pair after reports of a 'rough patch' between them. "I get that people find it strange that we are apart a lot but that’s how it’s always been since we met," the Hits Radio host said on ITV's Lorraine.

READ MORE: Gorka Marquez told 'not now' by Strictly Come Dancing co-star as she's seen loved-up with boyfriend

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Gemma went on: "Because I have done Strictly and I know that side of it, it’s not a shock to me. Army wives, their partners are away for six or seven months and they make out that I’ve been moaning that I’ve been on my own for three weeks but really I am having the best time.

"You don’t want to be so dependent on each other that you can’t do anything without them and I think that’s what’s great about me and Gorka is that on his own he’s great, on my own I’m great but together it’s like unstoppable."

Their most recent time apart came as Gorka reunited with his co-stars from the BBC One dance contest on the Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals UK tour. And during the last episode of his and Gemma's reality show, Gemma & Gorka: Life Behind the Lens, the Spanish dancer was seen preparing for the show before leaving their Greater Manchester home for eight weeks.

A clip of the moment has since been shared by both Gorka and Gemma on Instagram, in which Gorka is heard saying: "I'm not going to be home for at least five weeks...

"I hate being away. I just feel... not guilty. But you know, sometimes I go, 'Oh, I'm very tired,' and then Gemma is like, 'Well, I've been working [on] the radio, doing other jobs and [looking after] the two kids...' I just feel sorry that I'm not there helping. She's the force of this house. Without her this won't be running."

He continued: "It's also that she understands and supports me. Without her I wouldn't be able to do half of the things that I do. It's going to be hard because I'm going to miss them a lot. It was nice that we went away for a few weeks on holiday but it also makes it harder because I spend the whole day with them and from tomorrow, I'm going to go away and not see them."

Gorka's eyes started to fill with tears as he said: "I don't even want to think about it!" before wiping his eyes. Sharing the clip with his fans and followers, Gorka posted a string of red heart emojis and his friends, fans and co-stars were quick to respond.

Strictly co-star and dance partner Karen Hauer said: "I’m not crying. You both are doing your best x and we love you guys!!" @ceb9903 commented: "Love watching you pair. The love and support between you yet enabling you to be your own person is what every person wants in a relationship I think… You’re both fantastic people with a beautiful family."

@barryandteri wrote: "This had me in tears. Such a beautiful young family navigating their way through life." @elizabeth.reynolds.142687 replied: "What a brilliant team you are." @alisend73 posted: "I’m already emotional! You two are a great couple, supporting one another and it’s beautiful to see." @chelle.green added: "This makes you a great dad and partner."