Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez shared an emotional statement following the launch of the 2024 series over the weekend, as he posted a picture of himself in tears during a vulnerable “moment”.

On Saturday’s show (September 14), Strictly fans saw Gorka partnered up with BBC Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan.

But since then, the 34-year-old has opened up to his 953K Instagram followers saying although the return of Strictly for its 20th-anniversary series is “happiness, joy and excitement”, he also feels “sadness and guilt” for leaving his family.

Gorka has been in a relationship with former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson since 2018 and the pair have two young children together, Mia and Thiago.

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'So...here is me, having a moment of those that sometimes we hide or keep for ourselves'

Alongside his tearful photo captioned “just one of those moments” with a red heart emoji, he explained: “Sometimes I feel like in here we all share happy things, or things that can make others go Wow look at him/her...how amazing. Maybe scared to show the other side of us, more vulnerable, but that is still us.

“So...here is me, having a moment of those that sometimes we hide or keep for ourselves, especially being a man.”

Gorka added: "I feel like today should be one of those days where everyone might think is all happiness, joy, excitement, for all what is about to start with Strictly...And YES it is.

“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..."

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He concluded: "I hope you all have a lovely Sunday and thanks for letting me share it with you all."

Gorka’s new Strictly partner Punam was among those who commented with their support.

She replied: “I completely understand how you’re feeling. It feels hard because it is hard to leave the family. I always hate leaving home too so I totally get it but I promise my family and I will look after you as one of our own. The gorgeous people of Glasgow are beyond excited to have you here and we will do everything we can to make you feel at home. Oh and I promise to do my very best with the dancing to make this sacrifice worth it xx”