Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Gemma Atkinson firmly declined when her dance partner Gorka Marquez posed a significant question about their time on the show. The actress, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, crossed paths with the professional dancer during her appearance on the BBC program in 2017.

Despite both being part of Strictly, Gemma and Gorka were not paired together on the series. Gemma reached the final with Aljaz Skorjanec, while Gorka was a runner-up alongside singer Alexandra Burke. On their podcast Lost in Translation, a listener inquired if Gemma regretted not being partnered with Gorka from the beginning.

In response, Gemma made it clear that she had no such wish. She mentioned that Gorka instructing her during their time together was not to her liking, as she preferred autonomy in her dance decisions. The couple, who share two children, daughter Mia and son Thiago, have a dynamic that includes Gorka’s frequent absences due to his work commitments.

Gorka, who has been a runner-up on Strictly three times with various partners, expressed admiration for Gemma’s ability to manage their household effectively while he is away. Despite his praise, Gemma hinted at her dissatisfaction with Gorka’s extended time away from home, implying that his work is not as critical as he might believe.

For fans of Strictly Come Dancing, the results can be watched from 7.15pm to 8pm on BBC One.