Strictlys Gorka Marquez brushes off final defeat as he leaves hotel with Gemma Atkinson
Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez brushed off his defeat in the final as he left his hotel in London with fiancée Gemma Atkinson after Saturday's tense episode.
The professional dancer and his Strictly partner Helen Skelton narrowly missed out on the Glitterball trophy on Saturday night (17 December) after performing three dances which proved a hit with both the judges and viewers at home.
The trophy was awarded to Hamza Yassin and pro dance partner Jowita Przystal, who beat Helen, Molly Rainford, Fleur East and their respective dance partners to the winning title.
Seemingly taking the loss in his stride, Gorka, 32, looked in good spirits as he departed his hotel with former Hollyoaks star Gemma, 38, who he met on the BBC dance show back in 2017.
The couple welcomed their daughter Mia in 2019 and got engaged in 2021, with Gemma recently opening up on how the couple were thinking of a “low stress registry office” wedding when they finally tie the knot.
Dressing up warm in puffer jackets and jumpers, the couple both clutched tote bags as they departed the hotel together, looking happy despite Gorka’s Strictly loss.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted how Gorka had originally seemed disappointed with his loss as it was announced on Saturday.
Gorka clapped his fellow competitor Hamza after he was declared the winner, but appeared to do so without as much as a smile, something which many viewers noted on social media.
Gorka and Gemma have been together for over five years and got engaged with a romantic proposal on Valentine's Day last year.
"There have been a few times now where we’ve driven past a registry office and said, ‘Shall we just go in and do it? Yeah, let’s do it!’" Gemma told OK! back in October.
"We’ve not planned anything other than we know we want it really small and really intimate.
"We’ve agreed on just close family, a handful of friends, and a big party a week or so after.
"It’s just finding the time really. We’ve had lots of people saying, ‘You clearly don’t want to get married if you haven’t done it yet!'.
"But I think it’s because we’re so happy with how it is."
Despite Gorka and his dance partner Helen not winning Strictly, both have emotionally opened up on how much appearing in this year's show meant to them.
Captioning a collection of images of himself and Helen, Gorka wrote on social media: "Oh… Where to start, It’s has been a incredible journey. I feel so grateful I got not only to dance with you @helenskelton but also to be by your side in your own personal journey and see your transformation from day one.
"Thank you for all the memories, laughs, coffees, toast, parent chats, car journeys.
"Like I said yesterday In the show you’re a special person who light up a room when walks in and I am so proud you got to smile and shine again.
"I’ve loved every single moment dancing with you and I am so proud of us until the last dance! You’re a Star."
During Saturday's final, the couple were shown in rehearsals together where they reflected on their Strictly journey, with Helen becoming teary as she explained what the experience has meant to her.
"The end of the rehearsal has arrived," Gorka could be seen telling Helen. "I am very proud of you because I think you've grown a lot and you're going to leave this show being a happier person."
With tears streaming down her face, Helen replies: "I can outwardly see how different I am and you have made me remember who I am and that is the biggest and kindest and best thing anyone can ever do for somebody.
"You put faith in me that I didn't have."
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