Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez has revealed that he and fiancée Gemma Atkinson will tie the knot when their two children are old enough to participate in the ceremony.
The 34-year-old dancer told Heat magazine that the wedding will happen “once Thiago is old enough, both the kids can walk down the aisle and be a part of the day.”
The couple, who met on the BBC One dance show in 2017, share daughter Mia, five, and son Thiago, two.
They became engaged in February 2019 but have yet to walk down the aisle.
Speaking to HELLO!, Marquez explained their desire to wait until their youngest child is more independent, saying: “Imagine being on your wedding and he’s crying and just wants mummy.”
The couple have faced multiple delays to their wedding plans since their 2021 engagement.
Marquez revealed to Heat magazine that they initially wanted to marry but “then we had Mia and then COVID happened.”
Following the pandemic, further postponements occurred when Atkinson became pregnant with their second child.
“After that, we got pregnant with Thiago, and Gemma didn’t want to get married pregnant,” he explained.
The 40-year-old actress, who appeared on Strictly in 2017 alongside professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, was also keen to regain her fitness following the birth.
“Then after the pregnancy, she wanted to get in shape,” Marquez continued.
Despite the delays, the Spanish dancer insisted: “We’re going to get married but we’re happy how we are. We have two children, so it doesn’t matter if we sign a document or not.”
Atkinson recently suggested the wedding could take place in 2026. During an Instagram Q&A session, she told followers: “Possibly next year… We’ve been back and forth about registry offices/going to Spain.”
The former Emmerdale actress emphasised that neither wants an elaborate celebration.
“None of us want a big fuss or lots of guests so we may just go and do it with just family and come back and have a huge party!” she wrote.
She added: “I’ve never wanted a big white wedding. More than happy with a lovely small one. We feel married anyway.”
Marquez echoed this sentiment on social media, stating: “In our heads, we’re married already. Marriage these days doesn’t have as much value, it’s not like the old days. I think the value is in the compromise with one another.”
The couple have revealed they are searching for a property in Malaga to strengthen their children’s connection to their Spanish heritage.
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Atkinson shared on Instagram: “We’ve actually just sent final details to an estate agent in Malaga about a property there.”
She clarified it would not be a permanent move but “somewhere we can go at the drop of a hat, even for weekends, and Gorka’s parents can meet us there. I really want both Mia and Thiago to know their Spanish roots and be able to travel to and from frequently.”