Yahoo News Strictly's Gorka Márquez reveals accent criticism from fans
Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Márquez has opened up on criticism he's received from fans over his Spanish accent.
The professional dancer recently swapped the dancefloor for a judging role on Bailando con las Estrellas - the Spanish version of Strictly.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Gorka revealed that it was his accent which generated the most attention during his judging stint.
Related: Strictly's Gorka Márquez addresses show future after judging role
"The most challenging thing was speaking Spanish," he tells us. "I get so many comments from people saying 'Why is he putting on an English accent if he's Spanish?' and I’m like I’m not putting on an English accent, this is how I speak Spanish now.
"People in the UK say I have a strong Spanish accent and people in Spain say I sound like an American speaking Spanish.
"I got so many messages saying 'Oh my god your accent'," he continues, explaining: "It’s because most of the time I speak about dancing it’s in English, so when I help to judge them and I have to make a sentence, I translate it from English to Spanish."
Related: Strictly’s Gorka Márquez reveals special wedding roles for children
Despite the feedback, Gorka "really enjoyed" his time on the show and has admitted he'd "love to do it again".
As for the transition from dancer on Strictly to dancing judge on Bailando con Las Estrellas, Gorka admits it took some getting used to mentally.
"It’s completely different to what I’m used to doing as obviously I’m used to dancing," he says. "The first few weeks was a bit of a challenge, because it was a change to what I’m doing.
"A bit like a manager of a football team, when you were a player and you want to go and play. So, it was a bit of that feeling."
Whilst Gorka is open to reprising his judging rule, he is quick to assure that he won't be hanging up his dancing shoes anytime soon.
"I want to keep dancing, so in the UK I’ll stick to dancing," he clarifies.
The Strictly professional is currently back on screens with fiancée Gemma Atkinson in the second series of their reality show Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens.
Viewers can see behind-the-scenes footage of Gorka working on Bailando con Las Estrellas and him juggling family time with the couple's two children, daughter Mia and newborn son Thiago.
Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens airs on the W Channel and UKTV Play on Mondays at 8pm.
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