Gemma Atkinson has firmly rejected suggestions from social media users that she was responsible for her fiancé Gorka Marquez's departure from Strictly Come Dancing.
The 41-year-old actress addressed the accusations directly on the couple's Lost In Translation podcast, recorded during the Strictly: The Professionals tour.
"It wasn't my decision which I'd like to point out for everybody who messaged me on Instagram saying 'you've finally got what you want now'," she stated. "Absolutely not."
The Spanish dancer, 35, announced last week that he would be stepping away from the BBC programme after a decade as a professional.
Gorka Marquez met partner Gemma Atkinson on BBC Strictly in 2017 | INSTAGRAM/GORKA MARQUEZMr Marquez came to his partner's defence, noting: "She was happy when I did Strictly because she has her own space."
The couple revealed that the decision was made jointly as a family, with their six-year-old daughter Mia playing a key role in the final outcome.
Ms Atkinson explained that they had involved their eldest child in the discussions about her father's future commitments.
"We said to Mia 'what would you rather Papa do? Would you rather he work in Spain at weekends or work in England during Strictly?'" she told podcast listeners.
Gorka Marquez with his son Thiago | INSTAGRAM/GORKA MARQUEZTheir daughter's response proved decisive: "She said 'well I do love watching him dance, but I love having him home more.' And we were like 'right, signed, sealed, delivered.'"
Mia even informed her grandmother about the family's conclusion, telling her: "Me, mummy and papa have decided, this year he's not going to be dancing on Strictly."
The scheduling demands of balancing his commitments in Spain with the BBC show ultimately proved unmanageable for the dancer.
Mr Marquez had taken a break from Strictly in 2025 to serve as a judge on the Spanish equivalent, Bailando Con Las Estrellas, which created conflicts with his UK duties.
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Gorka Marquez and partner Gemma Atkinson said his decision to leave BBC Strictly was a family choice
| PAThe couple's two-year-old son Thiago has also found his father's absences particularly challenging.
"He's struggled with you being away on tour more than we thought," Ms Atkinson revealed on the podcast.
She noted that their daughter had not experienced similar difficulties at the same age, adding: "I don't know if it's because lads are different, or because he's a bit more sensitive but he's been crying at nursery for you."
The dancer described his departure from the show as "bittersweet" but expressed deep appreciation for his time on the programme.
Gorka Marquez confirmed he is leaving BBC Strictly | GETTY"I've learned loads, met lots of people learned not just about dancing but about life, I made friends, I met you, we have a family," he said. "I'm very grateful but it's a chapter that is closed and time to move on to a new chapter."
The choreographer confirmed he will continue to be part of the Strictly: The Professionals tour despite leaving the main television series.
He also reassured fans that he would remain a viewer of the programme he spent a decade performing on.
The couple first met during the 2017 series, when Gorka was partnered with Alexandra Burke while Gemma danced with Aljaž Škorjanec, with both pairs reaching the final.