Strictly's Gorka Marquez breaks down in tears as he shares candid statement after BBC show's launch

Gorka Márquez broke down in tears as he shared a candid Instagram post on Monday reflecting on his return to Strictly Come Dancing.

The Spanish professional dancer, 34, returned to the BBC show on Saturday and has been paired up with TV doctor Punam Krishan, 41.

But taking part in the competition means Gorka has to spend time away from his family, actress wife Gemma Atkinson and their two children, who live in Manchester.

Gorka and Gemma have been in a relationship since 2018 after they competed on the 2017 season of Strictly. They got engaged in 2021 and share daughter Mia, five, and one-year-old son Thiago.

Sharing a selfie of himself in tears, Gorka explained how he feels conflicted about appearing on the long-running show as it takes up so much of his time.

Gorka Márquez broke down in tears as he shared a candid Instagram post on Monday reflecting on his return to Strictly Come Dancing

The Spanish professional dancer, 34, returned to the BBC show on Saturday and has been paired up with TV doctor Punam Krishan, 41

He penned: ‘Sometimes I feel like in here we all share happy things, or things that can make others go Wow look at him/her…how amazing. Maybe scared to show the other side of us, more vulnerable, but that is still us.

‘So…here is me, having a moment of those that sometimes we hide or keep for our selves, especially being a man.

‘I feel like today should be one of those days where everyone might think is all 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 what ever long it is. A feeling of letting them down for not being there, a sense of failure to them…’

He continued: ‘I hope you all have a lovely Sunday and thanks for letting me share it with you all’

Taking to the comments, Gemma said: ‘I’m just gutted you’ve packed all your decent hoodies! wtf am I supposed to wear?” However, being more sincere, she added: “We Love you and cannot wait to see you do your thing!

‘Mia’s already given me ‘Saturday nights instructions’. You keep that record of the most 10s going with Dr Punam! We’ll be right here at the finish line!’

His Strictly partner Dr. Krishan also took to the comments to say she and her family will try and ‘make him feel at home’.

But taking part in the competition means Gorka has to spend time away from his family, actress wife Gemma Atkinson and their two children, who live in Manchester

Gorka and Gemma have been in a relationship since 2018 after they competed on the 2017 season of Strictly. They got engaged in 2021 and share daughter Mia, five, and one-year-old son Thiago

Sharing a selfie of himself in tears, Gorka explained how he feels conflicted about appearing on the long-running show as it takes up so much of his time

She wrote: ‘I completely understand how you’re feeling. It feels hard because it is hard to leave the family. I always hate leaving home too so I totally get it but I promise my family and I will look after you as one of our own.

‘The gorgeous people of Glasgow are beyond excited to have you here and we will do everything we can to make you feel at home. Oh and I promise to do my very best with the dancing to make this sacrifice worth it xx’

Gorka’s fellow BBC Strictly co-stars including Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell also shared their support with the dancer.

The Saturday night favourite returned to screens this weekend amid a major scandal and a shock NTA win upon its 20th anniversary.

Olympian Tom Dean will be competing with Nadiya Bychkova and pop singer Toyah Willcox will be dancing with Neil Jones, following his return to the series after a three-year absence.

Amy Dowden – who made a triumphant return to the series following her battle with breast cancer – will be dancing with JLS singer JB Gill.

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick will be hitting the dancefloor with Michelle Tsiakkas , whilst Gladiators star Montell Douglas will be competing with Johannes Radebe.

His Strictly partner Dr. Krishan also took to the comments to say she and her family will try and ‘make him feel at home’

Gorka’s fellow BBC Strictly co-stars including Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell also shared their support with the dancer

The Saturday night favourite returned to screens this weekend amid a major scandal and a shock NTA win upon its 20th anniversary

Karen Hauer has been paired up with ex-footballer Paul Merson, and former TOWIE star Pete Wicks will be dancing with Jowitza Przysta..

Luba Mushtuk will be guiding DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles through the process, while hockey champion Sam Quek has been teamed up with Celebrity Big Brother’s Nikita Kuzmin and Chris McCausland with Diane Buswell.

Opera singer Wynne Evans – who is best known to TV audiences for starring in the GoCompare adverts – has been partnered with Katya Jones and completing the lineup is former X Factor winner Shayne Ward and his professional partner Nancy Xu.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday September 21 on BBC1.