Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has been showered with support from his colleagues and loved ones after he was left in tears.
The pro dancer, 34, returned to the BBC One competition alongside the likes of Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell on Saturday night, where it was revealed he was partnered with Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
The pair are set to perform their first live dance next week, however, Gorka has shared a tearful image revealing the harder side of training, as he’s left his family in Manchester.
Gorka met partner Gemma Atkinson when she appeared on Strictly in 2017, and they share two beautiful children together.
As well as giving fans insight into their lives as a family of four on social media, the couple have also starred in reality programme Gemma and Gorka: Behind The Lens together.
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Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Gorka shared a downcast selfie with tears running from his eyes, saying: ‘Just one of those moments.’
He also wrote: ‘Sometimes I feel like in here all we share are happy things, or things that can make others go like Wow look at him/her… how amazing Maybe of scared to show other side of us, more vulnerable, but that still is part of us.
‘So… here is me, having a moment of those that sometimes we hide or keep for our selfs, especially being a Man.
‘I feel like today should be one of those days where everyone might think all is happiness, joy, excitement, for all what is about to start with Strictly… And YES It is.’
He went on: ‘But at the same time, I get a feeling of sadness, guilt, for going away for what ever long it is.
‘A feeling of letting them down for not being there, a sense of failure to them….
‘But at the same time I know I do it for them and I know how much joy it brings to them and how excited and proud they are when they watch me.
‘And Yes it makes it all worth it. But I still feeling like this at times…’
He added to his followers: ‘I hope you all have a lovely Sunday and thanks for letting me share it with you all…’
Former Hollyoaks star Gemma, 39, shared her support in the comments, writing: ‘I’m just gutted you’ve packed all your decent hoodies! wtf am I supposed to wear? 😂
‘We Love you and cannot wait to see you do your thing! Mia’s already given me “Saturday nights instructions”
‘You keep that record of the most 10s going with Dr Punam! We’ll be right here at the finish line!’
Gorka’s Strictly stars also shared their love with Amy writing: ‘Oh Gorka, they are so proud of you and love you endlessly! You are teaching your darling children so much. They look up to their daddy! Remember that xxxx.’
Dianne added: ‘gorks sending you love and I can’t imagine how hard leaving your babies must be ! But they love there daddy so much and your doing them proud every day.’
‘They are and will always be proud of you just the way we are proud of you Chamo,’ Karen Hauer said.
Gorka’s celebrity partner from Strictly last year, Nikita Kanda, also commented: ‘You are amazing my friend keep making your family proud.’
Gemma previously spoke about how Gorka made the effort to spend time with their two children when he could, despite the gruelling training regime and dance tours during the rest of the year.
She told Metro.co.uk: ‘Gorka always comes home, even when he’s absolutely exhausted and even if it’s just for a few hours, he’ll do the drive or get the train home, just to spend time with us.’
He added: ‘It is hard being away due to my job and missing the family but a lot of people work away, including my dad when I was growing up.’
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Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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