In a revelation that has stunned the ballroom community, Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have confirmed they have no intention of ever marrying, despite their five-year engagement.
The couple, who met on the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing and became one of the show’s most beloved success stories, shared the candid update during a high-stakes episode of their podcast, Lost In Translation.
The bombshell comes just days after Marquez, 35, officially announced his departure from Strictly Come Dancing amid a sweeping “bloodbath” of professional cast changes ahead of the 2026 series.
“No Chance” of a Trip Down the Aisle
Responding to a listener’s inquiry about their long-anticipated wedding plans, the 41-year-old Hollyoaks actress was characteristically blunt.
“I ain’t getting married to him. No chance,” Atkinson stated, citing a cynical view of the institution after seeing numerous relationships around her end in divorce.
Marquez appeared to be in total agreement, describing marriage as a “legal formality” rather than a necessity for their commitment.
“We are fine like this, we have two children,” the Spanish professional explained, adding that he has seen couples stay together for decades only to divorce shortly after signing a marriage document.
The couple, who are parents to daughter Mia (6) and son Thiago (2), admitted the only reason they had seriously considered the move was for the sake of their children’s inheritance and wills, which Atkinson’s mother warned would be more complicated without the legal status of marriage.
Tensions at Home Following Strictly Exit
The refusal to wed follows a period of “difficult times” in their relationship, which Atkinson recently brought to light.
She recalled a particularly tense moment where her frustration with Marquez’s “obsessive” habits at home led her to swear at him under her breath.
In a resurfaced clip from their podcast, Atkinson detailed a scenario where Marquez, returning from a stint in New York, walked through their home “like an inspector doing a check on a tenant”.
The friction reportedly escalated when Marquez complained about the children, Mia and Thiago, moving items on his shelf while playing—a moment that prompted Atkinson to stomp upstairs in a silent rage.
The End of an Era: Gorka Marquez Leaves Strictly
While their domestic life faces its hurdles, Marquez’s professional life is undergoing its biggest transition yet.
Last week, the dancer confirmed he is hanging up his Strictly shoes for good after ten years with the BBC production.
His exit follows a series of high-profile departures, including fellow professionals Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, and Luba Mushtuk.
The 2026 series is set to look vastly different, as it will also be the first without long-term presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who officially stepped down after the 2025 Christmas Special.
Marquez noted that scheduling conflicts with his judging role on Dancing With The Stars Spain (Bailando con las Estrellas) influenced his decision to step away from the full-time UK roster.
“It’s time to take a step back, enjoy the sidelines… and hopefully hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way,” he wrote in an emotional farewell to fans on Instagram.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Despite the lack of a wedding date, the pair remain committed to their joint projects. They will continue their work on the Lost In Translation podcast and Marquez remains part of the Strictly: The Professionals Tour 2026, which is currently running through May 30.
Reports suggest Atkinson is “secretly relieved” by Gorka’s exit from the show, with sources claiming the absence of the “Strictly curse” environment provides a sense of relief for their family unit moving forward.