Gorka Marquez says 'I make choices' as he speaks out on family decision to tour with Strictly Come Dancing co-star 'like a sister'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Gorka Marquez has explained the 'choices' he makes between his family and his career as she returned to what he does best alongside one of his Strictly Come Dancing co-stars.

The Spanish dancer has recently been seen soaking up the family time at home in Greater Manchester with his fiancee Gemma Atkinson and their two children - Mia, five, and Thiago, one - before he hits the road on his own tour with friend and fellow Strictly pro Karen Hauer.

The duo dance partners away from the BBC One dance contest's ballroom and are often asked if they'll be returning to the stage together following a break from their Firedance shows last year after two years of touring together in a row.

It was then April last year that they confirmed they'll be back on the road this spring with their Speakeasy tour. But Gorka says striking the right balance between work and family time is a major reason why he missed this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Live tour, which finished last weekend. "When people ask why didn’t you do the arena tour, that’s one of the reasons," he shared. "I have to find balance – I think life is about balance, not just work, work, work or just family.