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Gorka Márquez (Spanish: [ˈgoɾ.ka 'maɾ.keθ]; born 4 September 1990) is a Spanish professional dancer, best known for appearing on the British dance show Strictly Come Dancing.

Early life

Márquez began dancing at the age of 12, and in 2010 he represented Spain at the World Latin Championships, before reaching the semi-finals of the 2012 World DanceSport Federation World Cup. In 2014, Márquez joined the touring live dance show Burn the Floor as one of their leads, performing with the dance company all over the world.

Strictly Come Dancing

In 2016 Márquez became a professional dancer on the BBC ballroom dancing show Strictly Come Dancing for its fourteenth series. He was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson, and they were eliminated in week three of the competition.

In 2017 Márquez returned in the show's fifteenth series. He was partnered with singer and former The X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke. They reached the final, finishing as joint runners-up. With Burke, Márquez holds the record for achieving the most tens in a single series with 32, surpassing Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse’s previous record of 26 tens.

In 2018 Márquez participated in the show's sixteenth series, where he was partnered with television presenter and campaigner Katie Piper. The couple were eliminated in week four of the competition, finishing in 13th place.

The following year, Márquez announced that he had been demoted from the main professional line-up, but explained that he would still participate in the weekly group dances.

In 2020 Márquez returned as a professional for the show's eighteenth series, reaching the final with EastEnders actress Maisie Smith.

In 2021 Márquez returned in the show's nineteenth series, reaching week three with Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn.

In 2022 Márquez returned in the show's twentieth series, reaching the final with television presenter Helen Skelton.

In 2023, in the show's twenty-first series, he was partnered with Nikita Kanda and in week three the couple were second to be eliminated.

In 2024, in the show's twenty-second series, he was partnered with Punam Krishan and in week six the couple were fifth to be eliminated.

Highest and lowest scores

Highest and lowest scores per dance

Series 14: with Tameka Empson

Series 15: with Alexandra Burke

Series 16: with Katie Piper

Series 18: with Maisie Smith

Series 19: with Katie McGlynn

Series 20: with Helen Skelton

Series 21: with Nikita Kanda

Series 22: with Dr. Punam Krishan

Dance tours and other professional engagements

In August 2023 Márquez announced he would be teaching & performing with Karen Hauer at Donahey's 2024 Dancing with The Stars Weekends.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

He danced with his partner, Gemma, for the 2019 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. It was announced he would dance with Keisha Buchanan for the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Personal life

Márquez got engaged to the British actress Gemma Atkinson on Valentine's Day 2021. They have two children.

References

1. "Gorka Márquez – BBC Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
2. "BBC Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – 2016 Strictly Professional Dancer line up revealed!". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
3. "Ranking of the WDSF Latin Adult in Riga - Latvia on 15 December 2012". worlddancesport.org. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
4. "2016 Strictly Professional Dancer line up revealed!". BBC. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
5. ^ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Gorka Marquez". BBC. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
6. Pearce, Tilly (19 December 2020). "Where is Gorka Marquez from and is the Strictly dancer married?". Metro. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
7. "Strictly professional Gorka Marquez receives bad news about this year's series". Digital Spy. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
8. "Gorka Marquez - Becca Barr Management". www.beccabarrmanagement.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
9. "Strictly Come Dancing - Series 19: Launch Show". 18 September 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
10. "Amazing 5* Breaks with the stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing". www.donaheys.co.uk.
11. @gorka_marquez (6 July 2019). "Our beautiful baby daughter arrived on Thursday 4th July and myself and Gem couldn't be happier 💗💗💗" – via Instagram.
12. @gorka_marquez (14 February 2021). "I asked and she said YES!!!!!! 💍" – via Instagram.
13. "Gemma Atkinson reveals challenges of raising baby Mia and lockdown life with Gorka Marquez - exclusive". HELLO!. 19 July 2020.

• 1990 births
• Spanish expatriates in England
• Living people
• Spanish male dancers
• Spanish choreographers
• People from Bilbao
• Participants in British reality television series