Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Gorka Marquez has said his time on the BBC One show is ‘just a job’.
The 31-year-old a TV star made the revelation as he dismissed the dreaded Strictly curse – adding it’s not ‘real life’ and is just a show.
Gorka insisted that behind-the-scenes, life for the Strictly professionals just goes on as normal, and they are partnered-up with their respective celebrity as a part of their job.
Addressing the Strictly curse on Steph’s Packed Lunch alongside his fiancée, Gemma Atkinson, Gorka shrugged off the rumours.
“For me, I know there are a lot of rumours about the Strictly curse, but I can guarantee you that for all of us it is a job," Gorka insisted.
"We know we have to get into character.
“It is just a job and we love our job,” he added.
Gorka was partnered-up with Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn this year, and rumours have been rife about the pair not getting along.
But as they continue to shrug off the speculation, Gemma has explained how she deals with her husband-to-be dancing so intimately with Katie.
After a member of the Packed Lunch studio audience then asked the couple: "Has Gemma ever disliked any partner that you have had that you’ve danced with?"
“Apparently, the press has said I’ve disliked all of them," Gemma began her reply to the audience.
"In fact, I read an article saying I was to blame for Saturday because they [Gorka and Katie] lacked chemistry because they were fearful of me. I said to you, Katie is from up North, she lives near us, take her for coffee and dinners…"
Elsewhere in the interview, Gemma reflected on her time on the show and how it helped her feel comfortable about her partner dancing with other women.
“I know how daunting it is as when I danced with Aljaz, I met Janette and I knew he was a married man," she explained.
"The Rhumba was difficult as you’ve got to be so sensual. Janette took me aside and said ‘You’re dancing. It’s an acting job for the night, please go for it and don’t hold back because of me’ so, I never want Gorka’s partners to feel they have to hold back because of me."
“In the same respect that if I did an acting job and had to kiss someone, I wouldn’t want him piping up. I’m always encouraging. You’ve been lucky, you’ve had ace partners.”
The pair first met in 2017 when 36-year-old Gemma was a contestant competing for the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Although the pair didn't actually take to the dance floor together, they fell in love behind the scenes.
Soon after, the lovebirds become parents their daughter Mia, who is now two-years-old.
