Gorka Márquez

Gorka Márquez (; 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.

In 2018, he 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.

In 2020, he 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, he 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.

In 2025, in the show's twenty-third series, he wasn't partnered with a celebrity, because of his filming commitments with the Spanish version of the show.

In April 2026, Márquez announced that he was leaving the show.

Highest and lowest scores

Highest and lowest scores per dance DancePartnerHighestPartnerLowest American Smooth Alexandra Burke 40 Katie McGlynn 24 Argentine Tango 38 Helen Skelton 37 Cha-Cha-Cha 39 Dr. Punam Krishan 19 Charleston Nikita Kanda 18 Couple's Choice Maisie SmithHelen Skelton 40 Dr. Punam Krishan33Dance-a-thonAlexandra Burke7 Foxtrot Helen Skelton 32Dr. Punam Krishan 18 Jive Alexandra Burke 40 Katie Piper Paso Doble 36 13 Quickstep Alexandra BurkeHelen SkeltonMaisie Smith 39 Rumba Alexandra Burke 32 Salsa 40 Helen Skelton 32 Samba Maisie Smith 39 29 Showdance 40 37 TangoAlexandra Burke 35 Katie McGlynn 22 Viennese WaltzAlexandra BurkeMaisie Smith 39 Dr. Punam Krishan 21 Waltz Helen Skelton 35 Katie Piper 17 Tameka Empson is the only celebrity not to appear on this list.

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

Bailando con las Estrellas Marquez features on the Spanish version of Strictly Come Dancing which is called "Bailando con las Estrellas".

Since Season 2, he has been a judge on the show. Due to this, in 2025, he did not get a celebrity partner in the UK Strictly Come Dancing, due to priority of filming commitments in Spain.

Dance tours and other professional engagements In October 2025 Márquez announced he would be teaching & performing with Karen Hauer at Donahey's 2026 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.

He danced with Vogue Williams in the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special after her original partner Carlos Gu got injured.

Personal life Márquez got engaged to the British actress Gemma Atkinson on Valentine's Day 2021. Atkinson gave birth to a baby girl, Mia on 4 July 2019. On 19 July 2023, Atkinson announced she had given birth to their second child, a boy, Thiago Thomas.

In 2025 Márquez was a substitute, in the Rest of the World team, in the Soccer Aid for UNICEF game, who were victorious defeating England XI 5–4.

He is a supporter of Manchester United F. C.