Gemma Atkinson shares heartbreaking reason for not marrying Gorka Marquez despite years-long engagement
Former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson has disclosed the deeply personal reason behind her prolonged engagement to professional dancer Gorka Marquez.
The couple, who share two children together, have postponed their wedding plans due to the enduring grief Atkinson feels over her father’s death.
In an emotional Father’s Day letter supporting the Sue Ryder charity, the radio presenter explained that the thought of marrying without her father present has become an insurmountable obstacle.
David Atkinson died of a heart attack at 52 when his daughter was just 17 years old.
The 24 years since his passing have not diminished the pain of his absence, particularly when contemplating such a significant milestone as her wedding day.
“I’m getting married, Dad! One day, anyway. I think one of the reasons we’ve not done it yet is because of you,” Atkinson wrote in her letter.
“She revealed that despite coming close to setting a date multiple times, something always prevents her from proceeding.
The actress and presenter expressed particular anguish about the prospect of her wedding ceremony without her father’s presence.
“Not having you walk me down the aisle… maybe I’ll just stay engaged for a bit longer,” she confessed.
Another significant factor in her hesitation involves her family name. As the final member of the Atkinson lineage, she struggles with the idea of relinquishing her surname through marriage.
“I’m now the last Atkinson in the family line and if I give up my name, there’s no more of us. I don’t want to lose that remaining tie to you,” she explained.
In her poignant letter, Atkinson reflected on how her late father would have embraced Marquez and their children, Mia and Thiago.
“I think you’d be really happy with my choice of fiancé,” she wrote. “You’d get such a kick out of Gorka being a professional dancer – you loved to dance – and I know you’d adore your grandchildren. Just like you adored me.”
She expressed regret that her father never had the opportunity to meet Marquez, particularly during challenging moments when the dancer’s work commitments took him away from home.
“I remember when Mia was born, he had to leave for a tour when she was three days old. It broke his heart but I know you’d have helped him,” she recalled.
The family keeps David’s memory alive through photographs and conversations, with the children referring to him as “GanGan David.”
Atkinson revealed that her daughter Mia believes her grandfather “lives on the moon and you can’t get out” and constantly asks how they might rescue him.
When the family’s dogs passed away, the young girl found solace in believing that “GanGan David” was caring for them.
“I often feel sad that he never got to shake your hand. You only ever met my high school boyfriend. That’s hard for me,” Atkinson wrote about Marquez never meeting her father.
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The Spanish dancer addressed their wedding timeline in January, explaining that practical considerations involving their youngest child were influencing their decision.
“We will do it, it’s just not at the moment,” Marquez stated, noting that Thiago’s young age and dependency on his mother made planning a ceremony challenging at present.