Strictly's Gorka Marquez left in tears as BBC dancer forced to leave family

Gorka Marquez has shared the sad 'reality' of being a pro on Strictly Come Dancing, with the popular star left crying in the car as he left his family behind to embark on a gruelling week of training ahead of Saturday's first live show.

Gorka, who has reached the final of Strictly in the past with Alexandra Burke Maisie Smith and Helen Skel;on,. suffered an early exit last year, alongside radio host Nikita Kanda and, after some doubts over whether or not he'd be back for this year, is on the dancefloor as part of the Strictly pro line-up for the new series; with viewers finding out on Saturday night that he is in a couple with Dr Punam Krishan, with the TV medic looking thrilled to have him as her partner.

The Strictly 2024 live shows will kick on Saturday, September 21 and, while there will be no elimination in week one, the pressure is still on all this year's celebs and their pro partners to impress, as their routines will be marked by the judges.

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Strictly couples are known for putting in hours after hours of training each week and, with Dr Punam based in Scotland, Gorka is planning to base himself there every week, before heading back down for the live shows. And the Spanish dancer took to Instagram on Sunday afternoon to reveal that saying goodbye to other half Gemma Atkinson and their two children had been really tough.

Next to a selfie of him crying, Gorka attached a typed out note which read: "Sometimes I feel like on here all we share are happy things, or things that can make others go, 'wow, look at him/her... How amazing'. Maybe scared to show other side of us, more vulnerable, but that is part of us. So... here is me, having a moment of those that sometimes we hide or keep for ourselves, especially being a man.

"I feel like today should be one of those days where everyone might think all is happiness, joy, excitement for all what is about to start with Strictly... And YES it is. But at the same time I get a feeling of sadness, guilt, for going away for however long it is. A feeling of letting them down for not being there, a sense of failure to them..."

He added: "But at the same time I know I do it for them and know how much joy it brings them and I know how excited and proud they are when they watch me. And yes it makes it all worth it but I still feel like this at times... I hope you all have a lovely Sunday and thanks for letting me share it with you all."