Gorka Márquez, the 35‑year‑old dancer, confirmed he would not return to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing after ten seasons, citing family commitments. The announcement came during a live episode of the couple’s podcast Lost In Translation,where the pair debated whether to adopt anoter dog and how to balance Gorka’s Spanish work with the show.

Gorka’s Exit Follows a 2025 Spanish TV Stint

According to the report, Gorka had previously taken a short break from Strictly in 2025 to judge the Spanish version, Bailando Con Las Estrellas. He returned to the BBC show for the first seven weeks before travelling to Spain for a month,then re‑joined for the eleventh week. The scheduling clash, as noted in the source, made juggling the two commitments unsustainable.

Family‑Centred Decision After a Conversation With Daughter Mia

The source says Gorka and Atkinson decided to end his dancing career after a discussion with their six‑year‑old daughter Mia. "She said she loves watching him dance but loves having him home more," the article reports. The couple framed the move as a joint choice, with Atkinson emphasizing that it was not solely Gorka’s decision.

Podcast Tension Over “Using Kids” and Dog Adoption

During the podcast, Atkinson expressed a desire to adopt another dog, prompting Gorka to warn her not to "use the kids to get another dog," according to the source. The exchange escalated when Atkinson accused Gorka of pushing a narrative that she was never nice. Gorka laughed it off , calling it a prank, while Atkinson insisted she was the kindest person to him.

Unanswered Questions About the Podcast’s Dynamics

While the report details the couple’s public debate , it leaves open who exatcly is steering their family decisions and how the Spanish work schedule influenced the final outcome. The source also does not clarify whether the dog adoption plan was ultimately abandoned or postponed.