July 25, 2023 • 41 mins
Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez takes us on a tour of Manchester and Bury, his adopted home. We find out where he discovered his passion for dance, hear stories from behind the curtain at Strictly, and learn how his 6am gym sessions helped him fall for his fiancé, Gemma Atkinson.
We had a lot of fun matching Gorka with a beautifully restored 1964 VW Samba Bus for the drive around the Manchester Arena, Hits Radio, Bury Golf Club and Bury Cemetery. Given its vintage, the Samba is a little noisy at times; but what she lacks in sound proofing, she makes up for in style!
To see exclusive video footage of the drive head to Auto Trader’s social channels, and see the gorgeous VW Samba for yourself.
To find your perfect match, go to www.autotrader.co.uk
Show on the Road is a Fresh Air Production for Auto Trader.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Gorka Marquez (00:01):
If I can do this on my own in front
of 13 million people, I can do anything else. I
hear a song on the radio, turn that song off. I
hate that song. Every time that I come to perform
in Manchester, I feel like I'm performing at home, even
if it's in the arena or the theater. There is
nowhere else like in Manchester.
Alex Legouix (00:22):
This is Show on the Road brought to you by
Autotrader. We are driving famous faces on a personalized road
trip, visiting the places that helped shape them and hearing
how the locations turn them into who they are today.
We've matched each celebrity with a car chosen specifically for
them. So join me, Alex Legouix as we get this
(00:43):
show on the road. I'm meeting Strictly pro and Spaniard,
Gorka Marquez, in Manchester, which became home for him in
2018 when he met actress Gemma Atkinson. Today we've had
a bit of fun with the vehicle that we've chosen.
In keeping with the dancing theme, we've matched Gorka with
a VW Samba. I cannot wait to see what he
(01:08):
thinks about this.
Gorka Marquez (01:09):
Oh, wow. Samba. Hey! I love the name of your car.
Alex Legouix (01:18):
What do you think?
Gorka Marquez (01:19):
This is epic.
Alex Legouix (01:21):
Isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (01:22):
It's like a old school, but badass car.
Alex Legouix (01:26):
(inaudible) Samba.
Gorka Marquez (01:30):
Should I jump in?
Alex Legouix (01:31):
Please do.
Gorka Marquez (01:34):
Oh my goodness, I love this. How are you?
Alex Legouix (01:35):
Good, how are you?
Gorka Marquez (01:36):
Good. Nice to see you.
Alex Legouix (01:39):
Nice to see you too.
Gorka Marquez (01:40):
How old is this van?
Alex Legouix (01:40):
It's a 1964 and it's called a 21 Window Samba, but
it's been completely restored. Hydraulics, Porsche Engine.
Gorka Marquez (01:51):
That's why it's so loud.
Alex Legouix (01:52):
Porsche wheels. It's amazing, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (01:55):
It's very cool.
Alex Legouix (02:01):
So does Manchester feel like your adopted home?
Gorka Marquez (02:07):
It feels like home. I love Manchester. I love the
people, I love the city, I love everything around here.
Alex Legouix (02:14):
What were your memories when you first came here?
Gorka Marquez (02:18):
Cold. Always raining. The people is very friendly. Whenever you
go in the city, everyone says, " Hi," or, " you all right?"
And stuff like that. With living in London for the
three years before, sometimes people doesn't even say, " Hello." They
just going on with their days. So I think in
(02:40):
here, everybody's very friendly, very polite.
Alex Legouix (02:46):
So you grew up in Bilbao?
Gorka Marquez (02:47):
Yes.
Alex Legouix (02:47):
What was that like?
Gorka Marquez (02:47):
Oof. Bilbao. Small but big city. Very like Manchester. I think that's why. Sorry, just going back
to when you asked me if I feel like this
is my home, I think it's very similar to Bilbao. It's
(03:08):
like a small big city on a small city. That makes
sense. You can walk everywhere. People is very friendly, lots
of green, gray and rainy, so very similar to Manchester.
My childhood was very, very normal. I grew up living
in a hardworking area. My mom is from Portugal, my
(03:34):
dad is from Spain, have a older brother. We just
lived in a small house, hard work people, with my
friends playing football. And then I got into dancing when
I was 11.
Alex Legouix (03:51):
How?
Gorka Marquez (03:52):
My mom loved dancing, always. She loved dancing. Never danced
professionally or nothing like that, but she always loved to
dance. She was involved in the school, like a parenting
group when they do all activities for kids. My dad
never danced and he went secretly to dance classes in
(04:17):
the afternoon to surprise my mom. And my mom used
to work in the afternoon, so I used to stay
with him and I used to go with him. Then
because I used to go with him, I used to
watch every night. He used to do it twice a week. Then
one day he told my mom and then took her
with him and they both had to go to dance
classes. And again, I used to come along with them
(04:40):
and just slowly got into it. I remember one day
my dad struggled with the step and I was, oh that's very easy.
I was like, "Look." I was doing the cha- cha-cha. Just from watching, I
learned it and the teacher was like, " Wow, does he
like dancing or have been he going to dance class?" Say, "
Oh no, never." So they were like, "Oh, we have a kids group. Would
(05:01):
you like to bring him to the kids group?" So then
I started to go to kids group once a week,
but I also play football. So it was like, you didn't
want to say to your football mates you dance.
Alex Legouix (05:12):
I was going to say they're quite different worlds, particularly in that a few years ago.
Gorka Marquez (05:17):
So kind of slowly I go more into dancing and
then they took me to this ballroom and Latin class
and it was this young girl who, she didn't have
a partner and she had a local competition. So they
asked me if I would like to dance with her
just for three weeks to be able to compete with
(05:37):
her because she was the only one didn't have a
partner. So I say, " Yeah, that's fine, I can do
that." So I did that for three weeks and then
we went to the local competition and we have to dance cha-cha-
cha, samba and jive. It was a mixed ages, so
I was the youngest one of the whole competition. We
danced and we won.
Alex Legouix (05:56):
Wow.
Gorka Marquez (05:57):
So everybody was like, " Oh my goodness, you're so good. Well
done. So talented. I never saw a boy dancing like that."
I like this. And then when I was 16, I
moved away to different city and dance-
Alex Legouix (06:11):
Because of dance?
Gorka Marquez (06:11):
... to dance properly. I was lucky that my mom and
dad were very supportive. They were coming with me everywhere,
drive me to the competitions and everything. So that lead
into everything.
Alex Legouix (06:23):
I love the fact as well that you watched your
dad. That watching him make that effort for your mom,
there's something really romantic in that, isn't there?
Gorka Marquez (06:37):
They loved it. After they go and dance together, they used to go every
weekend. They had these social dance evenings and I used
to come along with them and with their friends and they have
the bunch of group. I think three, four couples, the
group of them, they're very close friends and they're all dancing.
Still now they go sometimes for dancing, but even if
they don't dance much now, on the weekend when my
(07:01):
mom and dad had the beach house, they all went
together to do a barbecue and spend the day together. It's just so
lovely that from something like dance they have this group
of friends which they have something in common and spend
life together going on road trips, down streets. It's just lovely.
Alex Legouix (07:23):
That's so nice. Did you have a standout teacher when
you were growing up?
Gorka Marquez (07:29):
I have a teacher, which he was my dance friend
and he was my first. Because my dad's friend from
high school, he also was a dance teacher and him still friends
with my dad and from the group of friends and
everything. When I go there I see him and stuff
(07:52):
and he used to teach adults. He didn't want to
teach me in the beginning, because he didn't like to
teach kids, but then he end up teaching me when
I was a little older. He always give me an
advice of, " Don't let anybody tell you what you can do,"
(08:13):
because I was in a point in high school my
teachers were like, " You need to focus on your academics. I know you like dancing
but you won't be able to live off dancing." I
remember he was like, " Don't let anybody tell you what
you can do. If you want something, just focus on
it. Work hard, believe in it, because no one is going
to believe more than you. And if you want to
do it, do it." I remember telling my mom and
(08:36):
dad that I wanted to be a dancer. I was like, "
I love to study but I want to be a
dancer and I want to make a living off this."
Alex Legouix (08:46):
That's the value of a good teacher, isn't it? Because they
can completely change your trajectory.
Gorka Marquez (08:52):
Yeah, and not even just sometimes you get good teachers, I
don't know how you say it in English, but we
have... For example, a teacher and a coach. Sometimes we
use a teacher is someone who teaches you something and
then leaves, but a coach is someone who stays with
you and not even teach you just to dance. It
(09:14):
guides you in life and what to do and to
follow, so I think that's very special.
Alex Legouix (09:19):
With everything. So we're starting at the Manchester Arena.
Gorka Marquez (09:26):
Yes.
Alex Legouix (09:27):
So tell me about your world here.
Gorka Marquez (09:29):
Well, Manchester Arena, the first time I came to Manchester ever, I
moved to the UK for my job. So I never
came to Manchester before. The first time that I came
to the arena to Manchester was to perform in the
Manchester Arena. Gemma also was performing at the same time
because we were both in the tour and it was just
an incredible experience to perform. It is the biggest arena
(09:52):
in the UK, I think. Get to perform in front
of 8, 000 people, it was even more. It was
just incredible. Going forward years later, it's like my hometown.
My daughter's from Manchester, Gemma's from Manchester. So I feel
like it's the place, hometown. Every time that I come
(10:13):
to perform in Manchester, I feel like I'm performing at
home. Even if it's in the arena or the theater,
there is nowhere else like in Manchester.
Alex Legouix (10:21):
It must be so different as well performing in front
of thousands compared to the TV studio vibe.
Gorka Marquez (10:28):
Oh, a hundred percent. When you perform in the tele,
it's incredible, but there's only 200, 300 max people. Also, you
performing for the cameras, where in the arena you have 8, 10,
000 people screaming, dancing and you can feel the energy.
Alex Legouix (10:46):
That atmosphere.
Gorka Marquez (10:47):
It's like, for example, watch a football game in the
tele or watch a football game in the stadium. It's
not the same. For us performers, we feed off that
energy. There is nothing like that.
Alex Legouix (10:59):
How did Strictly come about?
Gorka Marquez (11:02):
I was working in a dance company called Burn the
Floor, it's Australian company, they toured around the world. And at
the time I was working in one of the shows
they have on a cruise ship and I was in
Bermuda. I was on the ship and the dance captain
of the company called me in the morning and said to me, "
Oh, have you checked your emails?" I was like, " Not
(11:25):
really," because I am on the ship and internet was
quite difficult. He was like, " Well, the producers from the company
have email us. Strictly Come Dancing is interested in speak
to you and they're going to phone call." I was
like, "I'm just going to about to have breakfast and then
I go to your room." Two hours later I was
still having breakfast and he was like, "What you doing? They're
(11:47):
waiting for you." " Oh, sorry, I'm having breakfast." Because I'm
very chill so I don't like to get excited about things
until they don't become real. So I was like, " I'm coming now." Went
to the interview, they called me, we speak for an
hour. And the internet wasn't great, so it keeps frozen
all the time. So every time it keeps freezing, my face was
(12:08):
like this. And they were like, " Are you excited?" I was like, "Yeah," but
my face was like that.
Alex Legouix (12:13):
I could tell your face.
Gorka Marquez (12:15):
So in fact, we have a joke with the producers
because when they told me that I was joining Strictly, the screen
was froze and I was like this because I was
listening to them. So I was just froze with this
face and they found it hilarious that I was like, " Yay," but
my face was very serious. So that's how it came
(12:35):
up. I had three weeks to sort everything out, leave
the ship and move back to the UK, and I never
been in the UK before.
Alex Legouix (12:44):
Is it something that you really wanted to do or...?
Gorka Marquez (12:47):
Well, obviously every single dancer dream to do. Oh, Strictly
Come Dancing in the UK or Dancing With Stars in
America. I believe if it's meant to be, it's meant
to be. I always put myself in the negative position,
if that makes sense. Because then if doesn't go to plan-
Alex Legouix (13:07):
Expectations.
Gorka Marquez (13:07):
... you don't get disappointed. Same thing on the street.
When I'm in the final, people go like, " Oh, you
want to win it?" In the back of my head,
I want to win it and I will be the most
competitive person, but I will put me, myself, always, oh
we are not going to win it. Because then I
don't get disappointed and upset and sad.
Alex Legouix (13:29):
But I guess you have to marry that with making
sure you are keeping your partner positive?
Gorka Marquez (13:36):
Obviously. Once the celebrity's in the final, for me it's
more of a tell them, " You know what? We are
in the final. Whatever happens, happens. Let's enjoy this and
let's make the best performance we can do. So at
least when you leave, even if you win and you
don't feel like you've done your best, you already won
making it to the final-"
Alex Legouix (13:56):
Absolutely.
Gorka Marquez (13:56):
"... and making all those memories for 12 weeks." Sometimes
the journey is more special than they like destination. Also in
the personal side, some people come and say, like when I dance
with Helen, she was very shy, no self- confident. Day
one when we have to do our first dance and
(14:18):
I said to her she needs to walk down the
stairs. She was like, " Me? By myself? On the stairs?
Impossible." And then on the final she was walking for
four eight on her own with all the sass. Incredible
to see someone grow and get confident and get comfortable
with himself.
Alex Legouix (14:36):
Have you learned a lot about yourself through that journey that
was different to your competing?
Gorka Marquez (14:42):
I learned a lot about myself. Personally, I love to
be more... Because you meet people with different backgrounds and
different cultures. Just within the professionals, we have people from
Spain, America, Poland, Ukraine, South Africa. Everybody has different cultures,
(15:05):
different thoughts, so you have no to be more flexible and
adapt yourself. I learned to be more patient and to
be more respectful, open- minded. I feel like since I've
been on Strictly, I became a better person. You learn
so many things and, again, not everybody's like yourself, so
(15:28):
you have to adapt, respect and just get on with it.
Alex Legouix (15:37):
What was Alexandra Burke like?
Gorka Marquez (15:39):
Oh, she was amazing. She was so talented. Very talented.
She had a rough time when she did it because obviously a lot
of personal reasons and stuff. I reached the final with
her. I think she's one of the most talent persons
I ever met. Sing, dance, just such a all around
(16:02):
performer. The numbers that we did together, the drive, I
think it's one of the best numbers, in my opinion,
on the history of Strictly. Especially because she was like to Proud Mary, you know
Tina Turner, she's passed away recently. It was just a memorable
moment. I don't know. When I hear that song, you just
think of that moment. She was incredible.
Alex Legouix (16:24):
You must have lots of times when you listen on
the radio and a song comes on and you have the
whole dance moves, for a start, the whole routine. Do
you remember all the routines?
Gorka Marquez (16:34):
Some of them, yes. But also happens the opposite. When
I hear that song on the radio and I want to go, "
Turn that song off. I hate that song." You know
when you have a favorite song and you listen so
many times?
Alex Legouix (16:47):
Too much.
Gorka Marquez (16:47):
And then you're like, oh, I cannot listen to that song again. Pretty much
that's what happens with all the songs.
Alex Legouix (16:53):
Of course. How competitive are you, the dancers?
Gorka Marquez (16:59):
I am competitive, but I'm not really the most competitive one.
Alex Legouix (17:03):
Who is?
Gorka Marquez (17:10):
I don't know. I don't know. It is a competitive group, but in a good
way. We really support each other and help each other.
Obviously, like I said, I will lie if I don't
say I want to win it, but if I don't win
it, someone else win it, I will be happy for that person
because we all are a team and whichever is best
for the show is the best. The bigger the show,
(17:33):
the bigger we going to be and the more people
we going to reach and the people we going to
have behind us supporting and watching us. I just want
to show, I love to share my passion and share
my love for dancing with people and maybe inspiring kids,
inspiring adults to, I don't know, do dancing or to be
(17:54):
more confident or to change things in their life and maybe
feel emotions with the dance. If I can tell a
story through that dance routine and make people feel something
for me, that's my job done. Put it that way.
To win Strictly doesn't going to make me make more
money or be more happy. I'm happy just because I
(18:17):
get to dance, if that makes sense.
Alex Legouix (18:19):
Of course.
Gorka Marquez (18:20):
I want to be an example for my daughter, which
I don't want her to think if she doesn't win, it's
not good. To be able to do what she loves
to do should be enough.
Alex Legouix (18:34):
You are doing '23, right?
Gorka Marquez (18:36):
Yes.
Alex Legouix (18:36):
You are.
Gorka Marquez (18:37):
I would like to-
Alex Legouix (18:37):
Because there's a lot of rumors that you might not be.
Gorka Marquez (18:39):
Oh no, they're just rumors.
Alex Legouix (18:40):
It's just media.
Gorka Marquez (18:41):
I think because I didn't won this year and I wanted
to win it and the reaction that I had when
I didn't won it. Because you know what? We thought
we were going to win it in that moment, just
because of the audience in the room when we finish.
I don't know. And one, you make the final and you've
(19:02):
been on the dance off, you think, okay, you don't
get the votes from the audience. It's difficult. But when
you make it all the way to the finals without being
on the dance off, you think, oh, I have the support
of the audience. So I thought we could win it.
Hamza was incredible. Through the whole series, he was so
amazing. His dance abilities, the numbers that he did with
(19:24):
Jowita, it was so incredible and I'm very proud for them,
too. I'm very happy for them they won it, but at the same time I was like, oh, I want to win
it. My reaction was just a reaction of someone who
caress and loves the show and wanted to win for
my celebrity. That's why I was upset and I think I had
the right to be upset. I'd rather get upset than be
(19:47):
like, oh, whatever. Then it shows I don't care, and
I do care, so that's why it was my reaction.
But I will never leave the show. I love the show.
It's like the best show in tele and the best
job I could dream for.
Alex Legouix (19:59):
That's really nice. I'm so sorry about Len Goodman.
Gorka Marquez (20:04):
I know.
Alex Legouix (20:04):
That must have been really tough on the whole family.
Gorka Marquez (20:05):
Especially because Len was such a big part of the
show, even after he wasn't on the show anymore. I was lucky that
I got to work with him for one series and
then he left. But he was just such a gentleman
and such a big part of Strictly. Even now that
he wasn't there, we all keep talking about him or
(20:27):
he was in contact with Anton and some of the
other professionals, that been there for long time. It's just
sad. But I also so sad because no one knew
about it apart from his family. He could have go
and talk about it and everything, but he just keep
a life for himself. Even now that he's still doing
(20:49):
in America and he finished last season and he was
not coming back, he didn't say why. He just said, "
I want to have time with my family." I think
for me, when you think about Strictly, I always had
Len in my head and Bruce Forsyth.
Alex Legouix (21:07):
Of course.
Gorka Marquez (21:08):
For me, Strictly is always Bruce, Len and Anton. Those
three names, when I think of Strictly, that's what I see.
Alex Legouix (21:17):
Really colorful characters in really different ways.
Gorka Marquez (21:21):
And even now with Strictly with Anton as a judge
in the panel, he reminds me so much of Len,
the way that he judge, the comments, the feedback that
he gives to the celebrities, you can tell he was
very close to Len and I think he learn a
lot from Len. All of us learn a lot from
(21:42):
Len. He always had respect for the show, for dance.
I think as a dancer you need to respect where
we come from and appreciate the opportunities and how lucky
we are to have a show like Strictly to showcase
our jobs and what we've been doing for all of
(22:05):
our lives. We have to be grateful about it. We
are lucky.
Alex Legouix (22:15):
We are just at Hits Radio, which is quite a
personal place for you, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (22:23):
It's the best radio in the UK.
Alex Legouix (22:25):
Why is that, Gorka?
Gorka Marquez (22:26):
Because my beautiful fiance works in the radio. When I
met her for the first time, she was working in
His radio and she used to do the breakfast show.
And even before we were together, just when I fancy her
and no one knew about it, I used to listen to
the radio every morning. I used to go to the
(22:47):
gym at six in the morning and put the radio
on and just listen to her. It was a way
to get to know her more. You know when you
want to have a conversation with someone? Because I got
to know her more through the radio-
Alex Legouix (23:01):
You did your research.
Gorka Marquez (23:03):
But I feel I knew her more, about her, you
know what I mean? Because how she's on the radio is
how she's at home. That's why she's so relatable and
what you see about her, it's her. It, I think, allowed
me to get to know her more and we could have
more conversations. I made jokes about things that she speak
on the radio and I think that way I got
(23:25):
to open to herself and she was like, " Oh okay, he
knows this about me or he knows that about me."
It was kind of a nice way to get to
know her even before I know her. I think that's
why we work so well because we become friends before
be partners and being a relationship, and she's my best friend.
Alex Legouix (23:49):
Was it quite a big deal upping sticks and moving here?
Gorka Marquez (23:55):
Actually, it was easy to move here because I didn't
have anybody in London. I was on my own. So to
move here, I know how much she loves Manchester. She's such a
Manchester girl, she loves where she's from and she's very
proud of it. It actually make me fell in love
more with her because she's proud of where she's from
and she doesn't deny she's from Manchester or she's from Berry,
(24:17):
so I like that. She's like, " This is what I
am and if you like it, good. If you don't
like it, you can go away." You know what I mean?
I think when you find the happiness, who you really
are, you will make everybody around you happy. It's really
with every celebrity, sometimes people think it's a dance show, but
(24:40):
it's not only dance. You spend 8, 10 hours a
day with a person that you never met before for
if you make it all the way through, it's three
and a half months of your life. It's quite intense
and you get to know people very quickly and very
intense. It's so personal, and again like I said, it's more
(25:01):
than dancing. You get to know about their lives, their
problems, their no problems. It's just so intense in that way.
Alex Legouix (25:11):
Is that why you have the Strictly cursed?
Gorka Marquez (25:14):
Do you know what? People talk about that a lot,
but I think that's more like the old days of
Strictly. Nowadays I didn't hear that much about that.
Alex Legouix (25:25):
No.
Gorka Marquez (25:25):
But again, it's like in everything. You can have that
in the radio, you can have that in the office.
I guess if people isn't happy with their life, that's
when it comes into play, it's a full stop.
Alex Legouix (25:39):
It's going to happen, isn't it, at the end of the day? This is a Spanish center, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (25:48):
It's Spanish cultural center. So you not Spanish, you go
there. This is a famous Spanish tapas place.
Alex Legouix (25:58):
Ah, yummy. Is it good?
Gorka Marquez (26:00):
It's very good.
Alex Legouix (26:01):
yes.
Gorka Marquez (26:01):
So in Manchester there's quite few Spanish restaurants because there's
a lot of Spanish people in Manchester living. Then also
I think there's a famous football manager, Pep Guardiola, who
he has a thing, his own restaurant near in center.
Apparently it's very good also. There's a lot of Spanish
(26:21):
tapas in Manchester.
Alex Legouix (26:22):
And do you go and think, "Okay, this is good. This is good,
true Spanish, or is it like going to... People are
quite pernickety, like the Italians are very strict-
Gorka Marquez (26:34):
Yes. Italians are the worst with that, but I'm not fussy. I
don't really go to Spanish restaurants in the UK, not
even in Spain. It's just because Gemma's vegetarian and 90%
of the Spanish dishes involves pork-
Alex Legouix (26:51):
Chorizo, gamba.
Gorka Marquez (26:51):
... beef or seafood. So to go by myself or
with her and she's going to be looking at me
eating. So we don't really go. I make Spanish food
at home and that's about it. Me, I love Spanish ham.
She's obsessed with the Spanish ham.
Alex Legouix (27:07):
Are you a good chef?
Gorka Marquez (27:08):
Yeah, I like cooking. I like to spend time and make
a nice dish and then enjoy the food. I love
to make barbecues.
Alex Legouix (27:18):
yeah.
Gorka Marquez (27:17):
A nice summer barbecue.
Alex Legouix (27:18):
Barbecues are one of the main reasons why I couldn't ever
go vegetarian.
Gorka Marquez (27:23):
Like me, is that and ham. I love Avego ham. I
could live with Avego ham. In fact, I went to
a wedding last week, my best friend's wedding, and after
the wedding and they have the cocktail before dinner. It
was the wedding and they did the baby reveal after and between
both they had this cocktail and they had probably Spanish
(27:44):
ham and they were cutting it with a knife. Literally,
I was just there for two hours just eating ham.
So good. Oh, I love it.
Alex Legouix (27:56):
I know that you're very fitness conscious and we'll talk
about that, but how health conscious are you?
Gorka Marquez (28:03):
At this point in my life, health for me, it's
beyond looking good or aesthetic wise. It's more about feeling
good. I want to feel good. I train, exercise, to
be able to dance better for longer. My body is
(28:23):
my tool and if I can dance for another 10
years, it's better for me because that's what I live
off, but also because I want to run with Mia,
play with Mia and I don't want to be not
able to go in the park and run and carry
her and do fun stuff with them or with the
(28:44):
dogs. Also, help for me now is thinking the choices
and decisions that I make now, how they going to
affect me 10, 50 years time in my life. So I
want to get to 50 and feel like I'm 30,
if that makes sense. So I know whichever choice I
(29:06):
do now and whatever foods, things I put in my
body, is going to affect me in the future. That's
what I do it.
Alex Legouix (29:14):
It's a different motivation, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (29:15):
Yeah. Also, I love healthy foods. I love eating healthy,
fresh foods. And cooking them, I enjoy. This is White
Field, where we are right now. We used to live
nearby. Especially during lockdown, I used to come here to
(29:39):
the supermarket to buy a lot of stuff for the barbecues and
everything. Before we moved to where we live now, we
used to live literally 10 minutes from this supermarket.
Alex Legouix (29:50):
So does this feel like home around here?
Gorka Marquez (29:51):
Yeah. This is local. There's a Italian restaurant opposite the Morrisons.
It's very nice. And near Morrisons it's like Roma and
it's like a Italian coffee shop and a shop that you can buy cannolis. It's proper Italian and pastry. Oh, my goodness.
Alex Legouix (30:11):
Oh, yes. Nice.
Gorka Marquez (30:11):
They have a pistachio inside or Nutella. Oh, my goodness.
Alex Legouix (30:14):
Oh, that's dangerous.
Gorka Marquez (30:15):
So good. I'm so hungry right now.
Alex Legouix (30:17):
That's making me hungry. This is nice around here. It feels a bit
more leafy.
Gorka Marquez (30:25):
We are about to pass soon the golf course, Berry
golf course, which we used to live nearby. Literally from
here it's only 15 minutes drive to where we live now.
Alex Legouix (30:37):
Funny, it's like a nice little village- y feel area.
Gorka Marquez (30:41):
The more you drive through Berry, this is this side
of berry near Manchester. We live in the other side
past Berry and it's more countryside and the parks and everything.
Alex Legouix (30:54):
What do you do for downtime?
Gorka Marquez (30:57):
I don't like to stop a lot. One of my favorite things
to do is go to a coffee shop. Breakfast is my
favorite thing. I do have breakfast anytime of the day, even if it's
not breakfast time. And I love to go for coffee
shops. Nearby, we have our local coffee shop where it's a
(31:18):
proper, nice coffee shop. We go there for breakfast with
Mia, me and Gemma and just grab a coffee and a
slice of cake. I love to sit down with nice
coffee and a nice cake. I love to do that.
I'm a sweet tooth guy, so I love cakes.
Alex Legouix (31:36):
I get that sense.
Gorka Marquez (31:37):
I love cakes and brownies, cookies. From our old house,
we used to see the golf course.
Alex Legouix (31:48):
Oh, nice. So that's a good view.
Gorka Marquez (31:48):
You have a path that you could walk into the golf course.
When Mia was little during the lockdown, when Mia was
just months old, like eight, nine months old, Gemma used
to do the radio from home-
Alex Legouix (32:02):
Of course.
Gorka Marquez (32:03):
... during lockdown. So in the afternoon I used to be
with Mia and at her nap time she used to
love fall asleep on the pram. So I used to
put her on the pram and take her around around
the golf course and she used to fall asleep on the golf course.
Alex Legouix (32:17):
Oh, nice. So we're turning into the cemetery. Why are
we here?
Gorka Marquez (32:22):
It's not a sad thing going to the cemetery. So this cemetery
is very local. In fact, Gemma's mom just live across
the road. So during lockdown, during the pandemic we used
to come here and I think me and Gemma find
it very peaceful. At the beginning I found it weird,
but then I really enjoy it, the calm and the peacefulness. You
(32:46):
walk, you hear the birds, big trees, and even we
used to bring Mia in the pram to here. In
fact, I think the first time that Mia walk on
her feet was in here. It brings me a lot
of memories during lockdown. Don't get me wrong, it was
hard and sad, but we found it like a blessing.
(33:09):
We got to spend from February to July, nine months together
as a family. So I think brought us closer together
and allowed us to make those family memories. Because probably
if it wasn't the lockdown, I would've missed Mia's first
time walking because I was on tour. So I'm very
(33:29):
grateful for that time together.
Alex Legouix (33:34):
What do you think becoming a father has taught you?
Gorka Marquez (33:39):
Unconditional love? I think. Now I understand my dad. I
don't know. I refer to Gemma a lot because I
learn a lot from Gemma and I admire Gemma in
so many ways as a human, as a woman, as
(34:00):
a working person, as a talent, as a mom, as
a partner. So many things to admire her, but I
know she, and people know about this, so she lost
her dad when she was very young. I think for
her she was very close to her dad and now
(34:20):
we have Mia and she doesn't have the chance to
her dad to met Mia. And Gemma as a mom
and everything that she accomplished. So. Sometimes when you are
young, you're selfish and you are like, oh, with your
parents and stuff like that. But a lot of times,
(34:41):
even now that I go off, my dad is calling me,
my dad is this blah, blah, blah, annoying me, blah blah, Gemma
goes to me like, " Gorka, remember you have the chance
to be annoyed by your dad. You have the chance
to get the call from your dad and share memories
with your dad." She was like, " I will give anything to have
that chance." So for me shows me to appreciate that
(35:05):
and also to make the most of it with Mia.
Every single moment that I have with Mia, I want to make the
most of it because that's old. I have a healthy
life for a long time, but you never know. You
never know what can happen in life, so I think
live your life to your fullest. Think about the future
(35:28):
and about these things that you have saved for the
future and prepare for the future, but also make the
most of every moment because you never know.
Alex Legouix (35:38):
You're about to have baby number two.
Gorka Marquez (35:42):
Soon, two, three weeks.
Alex Legouix (35:43):
That's amazing.
Gorka Marquez (35:45):
I know. It's scary but exciting because you feel like, okay,
Mia is four, we in control of everything, Mia's a
bit independent now, very helpful. Now it's baby number two,
which everything is going to be double. Two car seats
in the car. When we go for light in the
plane, we cannot be sat together. I'm going to have
(36:06):
to be the left out. Obviously Gemma will sit with the two
kids and I will be on the other side of the aisle. So will be like, okay, I'm the dad left alone.
We said we would never do that, we'll be always
two and two, so split 50-50. Excited, but also a
bit scary because also, I know how to do everything
(36:30):
for a girl, not for a boy, even if I'm
a boy. So we know Mia is going to be very helpful and we
are lucky that we have Gemma's parents live nearby, the
sister loves kids. We have a very big support around us.
Alex Legouix (36:47):
It can't have been easy bringing up Mia away from
your family-
Gorka Marquez (36:52):
That's the hard part. Also, when Mia was born in
2019, then we went to lockdown, my mom and dad
met Mia weeks after she was born and then she
saw them in Christmas, she was six months. And then went to lockdown.
Alex Legouix (37:08):
Wow.
Gorka Marquez (37:09):
So the next time that my mom and my dad
met Mia, Mia was two and a half years. So it was
very heartbroken, that moment. I had the video in my
phone when we were thinking, oh, are they going to
recognize? Mia's going to recognize them? And we got off
the airport and my parents went outside, literally Mia run
to my dad and hooks into his neck and Mia
(37:33):
love him. Honestly, my mom was sobbing. It was just the most
heartwarming moment I ever see.
Alex Legouix (37:44):
Wow.
Gorka Marquez (37:44):
Because you didn't know. Obviously we spoke in FaceTime and
everything, but she was six months the last time my
mom hold her and she run to my dad.
Alex Legouix (37:53):
That's amazing.
Gorka Marquez (37:54):
It was just beautiful.
Alex Legouix (38:00):
So what's the future for Gorka?
Gorka Marquez (38:04):
Become a father. Strictly in the next few months. For
the next few months I'm off dancing, just spending nice
quality time at home with Gemma, Mia and the new baby.
Then Strictly end of July, which that takes me until Christmas. We have
a exciting project coming up, me and Gemma.
Alex Legouix (38:27):
Can you tell us?
Gorka Marquez (38:28):
No.
Alex Legouix (38:29):
Oh, no.
Gorka Marquez (38:29):
But it's going to be fun. Then next year, my on tour
again with Karen, which is probably our third, fourth year
of tour. Busy always.
Alex Legouix (38:42):
But I really get the sense that you are a
really close- knit family and you really support each other?
Gorka Marquez (38:50):
I'm the proudest dad and partner in life. For example, when people ask
me, "Is it hard to be away?" And I was like, " Yeah. It is hard." I
wish I didn't have to be away for so many
weeks and everything, but it's part of my job. But
also they make me feel like support and also that
they are proud of what I do. Anything that I
(39:11):
do, I do it for them, just to provide them
and to make them proud and to give us the
best life that we can have. We are a good team, I think.
Alex Legouix (39:24):
Is there anything that you feel like you want to
say to our listeners that they might not know about you or...?
Gorka Marquez (39:33):
About me?
Alex Legouix (39:33):
Anything? Any words of wisdom you have?
Gorka Marquez (39:36):
The only thing I would say to everybody who listens is
just to be true to themselves and be who they
are and never change for anything and for anyone. If
they want to achieve anything in life, just be true
to themselves and work and fight and believe. If they
(39:59):
really want to achieve something, just go for it. As scary
as it can be, the scarier it is, the better
it is and probably the more it mean to you
and the more you want it. So don't be scared
because it's a good thing. So I will say, trust yourself.
Do it for yourself and believe in yourself and never
(40:22):
change. Doesn't matter how far you go in life, always
remember where you come from because at the end of
the day, we are all humans and we are all persons.
It doesn't matter how much success you have, how much
money you earn, you're still being a human. And you
can earn all the money in the world and be
alone. And what is the point you have a lot
(40:45):
of money if you are on your own? Do you
know? No?
Alex Legouix (40:50):
I a hundred percent agree.
Gorka Marquez (40:52):
I would say that to them. And thank you for
having me. It's been fun.
Alex Legouix (40:56):
Thanks for coming. We should finish by going to get
a coffee, shouldn't we?
Gorka Marquez (40:59):
Yes, please. Coffee and a cake.
Alex Legouix (41:02):
Gorka, thank you so much for joining us.
Gorka Marquez (41:04):
No, thank you for having me.
Alex Legouix (41:05):
It's been amazing.
Gorka Marquez (41:06):
Nice to chat to you in this beautiful, crazy ride.
Alex Legouix (41:16):
Thanks so much to Gorka Marquez for showing me the
Manchester haunts that make him feel so at home. You
can see exclusive footage of the drive by heading to our
Autotrader socials. Look at the episode page for links. You'll
also be able to see Sammy the VW Samba that
we drove around in. And if you are looking for
a new vehicle, you can find your perfect match at autotrader. co.
(41:39):
uk. This is a new show and I'd love you
to follow on your favorite podcast platform. Like what you
hear? Rate and review and make sure you tell your
friends so you don't miss an episode Show On the
Road is a Fresh Air production for Autotrader.
If I can do this on my own in front
of 13 million people, I can do anything else. I
hear a song on the radio, turn that song off. I
hate that song. Every time that I come to perform
in Manchester, I feel like I'm performing at home, even
if it's in the arena or the theater. There is
nowhere else like in Manchester.
Alex Legouix (00:22):
This is Show on the Road brought to you by
Autotrader. We are driving famous faces on a personalized road
trip, visiting the places that helped shape them and hearing
how the locations turn them into who they are today.
We've matched each celebrity with a car chosen specifically for
them. So join me, Alex Legouix as we get this
(00:43):
show on the road. I'm meeting Strictly pro and Spaniard,
Gorka Marquez, in Manchester, which became home for him in
2018 when he met actress Gemma Atkinson. Today we've had
a bit of fun with the vehicle that we've chosen.
In keeping with the dancing theme, we've matched Gorka with
a VW Samba. I cannot wait to see what he
(01:08):
thinks about this.
Gorka Marquez (01:09):
Oh, wow. Samba. Hey! I love the name of your car.
Alex Legouix (01:18):
What do you think?
Gorka Marquez (01:19):
This is epic.
Alex Legouix (01:21):
Isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (01:22):
It's like a old school, but badass car.
Alex Legouix (01:26):
(inaudible) Samba.
Gorka Marquez (01:30):
Should I jump in?
Alex Legouix (01:31):
Please do.
Gorka Marquez (01:34):
Oh my goodness, I love this. How are you?
Alex Legouix (01:35):
Good, how are you?
Gorka Marquez (01:36):
Good. Nice to see you.
Alex Legouix (01:39):
Nice to see you too.
Gorka Marquez (01:40):
How old is this van?
Alex Legouix (01:40):
It's a 1964 and it's called a 21 Window Samba, but
it's been completely restored. Hydraulics, Porsche Engine.
Gorka Marquez (01:51):
That's why it's so loud.
Alex Legouix (01:52):
Porsche wheels. It's amazing, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (01:55):
It's very cool.
Alex Legouix (02:01):
So does Manchester feel like your adopted home?
Gorka Marquez (02:07):
It feels like home. I love Manchester. I love the
people, I love the city, I love everything around here.
Alex Legouix (02:14):
What were your memories when you first came here?
Gorka Marquez (02:18):
Cold. Always raining. The people is very friendly. Whenever you
go in the city, everyone says, " Hi," or, " you all right?"
And stuff like that. With living in London for the
three years before, sometimes people doesn't even say, " Hello." They
just going on with their days. So I think in
(02:40):
here, everybody's very friendly, very polite.
Alex Legouix (02:46):
So you grew up in Bilbao?
Gorka Marquez (02:47):
Yes.
Alex Legouix (02:47):
What was that like?
Gorka Marquez (02:47):
Oof. Bilbao. Small but big city. Very like Manchester. I think that's why. Sorry, just going back
to when you asked me if I feel like this
is my home, I think it's very similar to Bilbao. It's
(03:08):
like a small big city on a small city. That makes
sense. You can walk everywhere. People is very friendly, lots
of green, gray and rainy, so very similar to Manchester.
My childhood was very, very normal. I grew up living
in a hardworking area. My mom is from Portugal, my
(03:34):
dad is from Spain, have a older brother. We just
lived in a small house, hard work people, with my
friends playing football. And then I got into dancing when
I was 11.
Alex Legouix (03:51):
How?
Gorka Marquez (03:52):
My mom loved dancing, always. She loved dancing. Never danced
professionally or nothing like that, but she always loved to
dance. She was involved in the school, like a parenting
group when they do all activities for kids. My dad
never danced and he went secretly to dance classes in
(04:17):
the afternoon to surprise my mom. And my mom used
to work in the afternoon, so I used to stay
with him and I used to go with him. Then
because I used to go with him, I used to
watch every night. He used to do it twice a week. Then
one day he told my mom and then took her
with him and they both had to go to dance
classes. And again, I used to come along with them
(04:40):
and just slowly got into it. I remember one day
my dad struggled with the step and I was, oh that's very easy.
I was like, "Look." I was doing the cha- cha-cha. Just from watching, I
learned it and the teacher was like, " Wow, does he
like dancing or have been he going to dance class?" Say, "
Oh no, never." So they were like, "Oh, we have a kids group. Would
(05:01):
you like to bring him to the kids group?" So then
I started to go to kids group once a week,
but I also play football. So it was like, you didn't
want to say to your football mates you dance.
Alex Legouix (05:12):
I was going to say they're quite different worlds, particularly in that a few years ago.
Gorka Marquez (05:17):
So kind of slowly I go more into dancing and
then they took me to this ballroom and Latin class
and it was this young girl who, she didn't have
a partner and she had a local competition. So they
asked me if I would like to dance with her
just for three weeks to be able to compete with
(05:37):
her because she was the only one didn't have a
partner. So I say, " Yeah, that's fine, I can do
that." So I did that for three weeks and then
we went to the local competition and we have to dance cha-cha-
cha, samba and jive. It was a mixed ages, so
I was the youngest one of the whole competition. We
danced and we won.
Alex Legouix (05:56):
Wow.
Gorka Marquez (05:57):
So everybody was like, " Oh my goodness, you're so good. Well
done. So talented. I never saw a boy dancing like that."
I like this. And then when I was 16, I
moved away to different city and dance-
Alex Legouix (06:11):
Because of dance?
Gorka Marquez (06:11):
... to dance properly. I was lucky that my mom and
dad were very supportive. They were coming with me everywhere,
drive me to the competitions and everything. So that lead
into everything.
Alex Legouix (06:23):
I love the fact as well that you watched your
dad. That watching him make that effort for your mom,
there's something really romantic in that, isn't there?
Gorka Marquez (06:37):
They loved it. After they go and dance together, they used to go every
weekend. They had these social dance evenings and I used
to come along with them and with their friends and they have
the bunch of group. I think three, four couples, the
group of them, they're very close friends and they're all dancing.
Still now they go sometimes for dancing, but even if
they don't dance much now, on the weekend when my
(07:01):
mom and dad had the beach house, they all went
together to do a barbecue and spend the day together. It's just so
lovely that from something like dance they have this group
of friends which they have something in common and spend
life together going on road trips, down streets. It's just lovely.
Alex Legouix (07:23):
That's so nice. Did you have a standout teacher when
you were growing up?
Gorka Marquez (07:29):
I have a teacher, which he was my dance friend
and he was my first. Because my dad's friend from
high school, he also was a dance teacher and him still friends
with my dad and from the group of friends and
everything. When I go there I see him and stuff
(07:52):
and he used to teach adults. He didn't want to
teach me in the beginning, because he didn't like to
teach kids, but then he end up teaching me when
I was a little older. He always give me an
advice of, " Don't let anybody tell you what you can do,"
(08:13):
because I was in a point in high school my
teachers were like, " You need to focus on your academics. I know you like dancing
but you won't be able to live off dancing." I
remember he was like, " Don't let anybody tell you what
you can do. If you want something, just focus on
it. Work hard, believe in it, because no one is going
to believe more than you. And if you want to
do it, do it." I remember telling my mom and
(08:36):
dad that I wanted to be a dancer. I was like, "
I love to study but I want to be a
dancer and I want to make a living off this."
Alex Legouix (08:46):
That's the value of a good teacher, isn't it? Because they
can completely change your trajectory.
Gorka Marquez (08:52):
Yeah, and not even just sometimes you get good teachers, I
don't know how you say it in English, but we
have... For example, a teacher and a coach. Sometimes we
use a teacher is someone who teaches you something and
then leaves, but a coach is someone who stays with
you and not even teach you just to dance. It
(09:14):
guides you in life and what to do and to
follow, so I think that's very special.
Alex Legouix (09:19):
With everything. So we're starting at the Manchester Arena.
Gorka Marquez (09:26):
Yes.
Alex Legouix (09:27):
So tell me about your world here.
Gorka Marquez (09:29):
Well, Manchester Arena, the first time I came to Manchester ever, I
moved to the UK for my job. So I never
came to Manchester before. The first time that I came
to the arena to Manchester was to perform in the
Manchester Arena. Gemma also was performing at the same time
because we were both in the tour and it was just
an incredible experience to perform. It is the biggest arena
(09:52):
in the UK, I think. Get to perform in front
of 8, 000 people, it was even more. It was
just incredible. Going forward years later, it's like my hometown.
My daughter's from Manchester, Gemma's from Manchester. So I feel
like it's the place, hometown. Every time that I come
(10:13):
to perform in Manchester, I feel like I'm performing at
home. Even if it's in the arena or the theater,
there is nowhere else like in Manchester.
Alex Legouix (10:21):
It must be so different as well performing in front
of thousands compared to the TV studio vibe.
Gorka Marquez (10:28):
Oh, a hundred percent. When you perform in the tele,
it's incredible, but there's only 200, 300 max people. Also, you
performing for the cameras, where in the arena you have 8, 10,
000 people screaming, dancing and you can feel the energy.
Alex Legouix (10:46):
That atmosphere.
Gorka Marquez (10:47):
It's like, for example, watch a football game in the
tele or watch a football game in the stadium. It's
not the same. For us performers, we feed off that
energy. There is nothing like that.
Alex Legouix (10:59):
How did Strictly come about?
Gorka Marquez (11:02):
I was working in a dance company called Burn the
Floor, it's Australian company, they toured around the world. And at
the time I was working in one of the shows
they have on a cruise ship and I was in
Bermuda. I was on the ship and the dance captain
of the company called me in the morning and said to me, "
Oh, have you checked your emails?" I was like, " Not
(11:25):
really," because I am on the ship and internet was
quite difficult. He was like, " Well, the producers from the company
have email us. Strictly Come Dancing is interested in speak
to you and they're going to phone call." I was
like, "I'm just going to about to have breakfast and then
I go to your room." Two hours later I was
still having breakfast and he was like, "What you doing? They're
(11:47):
waiting for you." " Oh, sorry, I'm having breakfast." Because I'm
very chill so I don't like to get excited about things
until they don't become real. So I was like, " I'm coming now." Went
to the interview, they called me, we speak for an
hour. And the internet wasn't great, so it keeps frozen
all the time. So every time it keeps freezing, my face was
(12:08):
like this. And they were like, " Are you excited?" I was like, "Yeah," but
my face was like that.
Alex Legouix (12:13):
I could tell your face.
Gorka Marquez (12:15):
So in fact, we have a joke with the producers
because when they told me that I was joining Strictly, the screen
was froze and I was like this because I was
listening to them. So I was just froze with this
face and they found it hilarious that I was like, " Yay," but
my face was very serious. So that's how it came
(12:35):
up. I had three weeks to sort everything out, leave
the ship and move back to the UK, and I never
been in the UK before.
Alex Legouix (12:44):
Is it something that you really wanted to do or...?
Gorka Marquez (12:47):
Well, obviously every single dancer dream to do. Oh, Strictly
Come Dancing in the UK or Dancing With Stars in
America. I believe if it's meant to be, it's meant
to be. I always put myself in the negative position,
if that makes sense. Because then if doesn't go to plan-
Alex Legouix (13:07):
Expectations.
Gorka Marquez (13:07):
... you don't get disappointed. Same thing on the street.
When I'm in the final, people go like, " Oh, you
want to win it?" In the back of my head,
I want to win it and I will be the most
competitive person, but I will put me, myself, always, oh
we are not going to win it. Because then I
don't get disappointed and upset and sad.
Alex Legouix (13:29):
But I guess you have to marry that with making
sure you are keeping your partner positive?
Gorka Marquez (13:36):
Obviously. Once the celebrity's in the final, for me it's
more of a tell them, " You know what? We are
in the final. Whatever happens, happens. Let's enjoy this and
let's make the best performance we can do. So at
least when you leave, even if you win and you
don't feel like you've done your best, you already won
making it to the final-"
Alex Legouix (13:56):
Absolutely.
Gorka Marquez (13:56):
"... and making all those memories for 12 weeks." Sometimes
the journey is more special than they like destination. Also in
the personal side, some people come and say, like when I dance
with Helen, she was very shy, no self- confident. Day
one when we have to do our first dance and
(14:18):
I said to her she needs to walk down the
stairs. She was like, " Me? By myself? On the stairs?
Impossible." And then on the final she was walking for
four eight on her own with all the sass. Incredible
to see someone grow and get confident and get comfortable
with himself.
Alex Legouix (14:36):
Have you learned a lot about yourself through that journey that
was different to your competing?
Gorka Marquez (14:42):
I learned a lot about myself. Personally, I love to
be more... Because you meet people with different backgrounds and
different cultures. Just within the professionals, we have people from
Spain, America, Poland, Ukraine, South Africa. Everybody has different cultures,
(15:05):
different thoughts, so you have no to be more flexible and
adapt yourself. I learned to be more patient and to
be more respectful, open- minded. I feel like since I've
been on Strictly, I became a better person. You learn
so many things and, again, not everybody's like yourself, so
(15:28):
you have to adapt, respect and just get on with it.
Alex Legouix (15:37):
What was Alexandra Burke like?
Gorka Marquez (15:39):
Oh, she was amazing. She was so talented. Very talented.
She had a rough time when she did it because obviously a lot
of personal reasons and stuff. I reached the final with
her. I think she's one of the most talent persons
I ever met. Sing, dance, just such a all around
(16:02):
performer. The numbers that we did together, the drive, I
think it's one of the best numbers, in my opinion,
on the history of Strictly. Especially because she was like to Proud Mary, you know
Tina Turner, she's passed away recently. It was just a memorable
moment. I don't know. When I hear that song, you just
think of that moment. She was incredible.
Alex Legouix (16:24):
You must have lots of times when you listen on
the radio and a song comes on and you have the
whole dance moves, for a start, the whole routine. Do
you remember all the routines?
Gorka Marquez (16:34):
Some of them, yes. But also happens the opposite. When
I hear that song on the radio and I want to go, "
Turn that song off. I hate that song." You know
when you have a favorite song and you listen so
many times?
Alex Legouix (16:47):
Too much.
Gorka Marquez (16:47):
And then you're like, oh, I cannot listen to that song again. Pretty much
that's what happens with all the songs.
Alex Legouix (16:53):
Of course. How competitive are you, the dancers?
Gorka Marquez (16:59):
I am competitive, but I'm not really the most competitive one.
Alex Legouix (17:03):
Who is?
Gorka Marquez (17:10):
I don't know. I don't know. It is a competitive group, but in a good
way. We really support each other and help each other.
Obviously, like I said, I will lie if I don't
say I want to win it, but if I don't win
it, someone else win it, I will be happy for that person
because we all are a team and whichever is best
for the show is the best. The bigger the show,
(17:33):
the bigger we going to be and the more people
we going to reach and the people we going to
have behind us supporting and watching us. I just want
to show, I love to share my passion and share
my love for dancing with people and maybe inspiring kids,
inspiring adults to, I don't know, do dancing or to be
(17:54):
more confident or to change things in their life and maybe
feel emotions with the dance. If I can tell a
story through that dance routine and make people feel something
for me, that's my job done. Put it that way.
To win Strictly doesn't going to make me make more
money or be more happy. I'm happy just because I
(18:17):
get to dance, if that makes sense.
Alex Legouix (18:19):
Of course.
Gorka Marquez (18:20):
I want to be an example for my daughter, which
I don't want her to think if she doesn't win, it's
not good. To be able to do what she loves
to do should be enough.
Alex Legouix (18:34):
You are doing '23, right?
Gorka Marquez (18:36):
Yes.
Alex Legouix (18:36):
You are.
Gorka Marquez (18:37):
I would like to-
Alex Legouix (18:37):
Because there's a lot of rumors that you might not be.
Gorka Marquez (18:39):
Oh no, they're just rumors.
Alex Legouix (18:40):
It's just media.
Gorka Marquez (18:41):
I think because I didn't won this year and I wanted
to win it and the reaction that I had when
I didn't won it. Because you know what? We thought
we were going to win it in that moment, just
because of the audience in the room when we finish.
I don't know. And one, you make the final and you've
(19:02):
been on the dance off, you think, okay, you don't
get the votes from the audience. It's difficult. But when
you make it all the way to the finals without being
on the dance off, you think, oh, I have the support
of the audience. So I thought we could win it.
Hamza was incredible. Through the whole series, he was so
amazing. His dance abilities, the numbers that he did with
(19:24):
Jowita, it was so incredible and I'm very proud for them,
too. I'm very happy for them they won it, but at the same time I was like, oh, I want to win
it. My reaction was just a reaction of someone who
caress and loves the show and wanted to win for
my celebrity. That's why I was upset and I think I had
the right to be upset. I'd rather get upset than be
(19:47):
like, oh, whatever. Then it shows I don't care, and
I do care, so that's why it was my reaction.
But I will never leave the show. I love the show.
It's like the best show in tele and the best
job I could dream for.
Alex Legouix (19:59):
That's really nice. I'm so sorry about Len Goodman.
Gorka Marquez (20:04):
I know.
Alex Legouix (20:04):
That must have been really tough on the whole family.
Gorka Marquez (20:05):
Especially because Len was such a big part of the
show, even after he wasn't on the show anymore. I was lucky that
I got to work with him for one series and
then he left. But he was just such a gentleman
and such a big part of Strictly. Even now that
he wasn't there, we all keep talking about him or
(20:27):
he was in contact with Anton and some of the
other professionals, that been there for long time. It's just
sad. But I also so sad because no one knew
about it apart from his family. He could have go
and talk about it and everything, but he just keep
a life for himself. Even now that he's still doing
(20:49):
in America and he finished last season and he was
not coming back, he didn't say why. He just said, "
I want to have time with my family." I think
for me, when you think about Strictly, I always had
Len in my head and Bruce Forsyth.
Alex Legouix (21:07):
Of course.
Gorka Marquez (21:08):
For me, Strictly is always Bruce, Len and Anton. Those
three names, when I think of Strictly, that's what I see.
Alex Legouix (21:17):
Really colorful characters in really different ways.
Gorka Marquez (21:21):
And even now with Strictly with Anton as a judge
in the panel, he reminds me so much of Len,
the way that he judge, the comments, the feedback that
he gives to the celebrities, you can tell he was
very close to Len and I think he learn a
lot from Len. All of us learn a lot from
(21:42):
Len. He always had respect for the show, for dance.
I think as a dancer you need to respect where
we come from and appreciate the opportunities and how lucky
we are to have a show like Strictly to showcase
our jobs and what we've been doing for all of
(22:05):
our lives. We have to be grateful about it. We
are lucky.
Alex Legouix (22:15):
We are just at Hits Radio, which is quite a
personal place for you, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (22:23):
It's the best radio in the UK.
Alex Legouix (22:25):
Why is that, Gorka?
Gorka Marquez (22:26):
Because my beautiful fiance works in the radio. When I
met her for the first time, she was working in
His radio and she used to do the breakfast show.
And even before we were together, just when I fancy her
and no one knew about it, I used to listen to
the radio every morning. I used to go to the
(22:47):
gym at six in the morning and put the radio
on and just listen to her. It was a way
to get to know her more. You know when you
want to have a conversation with someone? Because I got
to know her more through the radio-
Alex Legouix (23:01):
You did your research.
Gorka Marquez (23:03):
But I feel I knew her more, about her, you
know what I mean? Because how she's on the radio is
how she's at home. That's why she's so relatable and
what you see about her, it's her. It, I think, allowed
me to get to know her more and we could have
more conversations. I made jokes about things that she speak
on the radio and I think that way I got
(23:25):
to open to herself and she was like, " Oh okay, he
knows this about me or he knows that about me."
It was kind of a nice way to get to
know her even before I know her. I think that's
why we work so well because we become friends before
be partners and being a relationship, and she's my best friend.
Alex Legouix (23:49):
Was it quite a big deal upping sticks and moving here?
Gorka Marquez (23:55):
Actually, it was easy to move here because I didn't
have anybody in London. I was on my own. So to
move here, I know how much she loves Manchester. She's such a
Manchester girl, she loves where she's from and she's very
proud of it. It actually make me fell in love
more with her because she's proud of where she's from
and she doesn't deny she's from Manchester or she's from Berry,
(24:17):
so I like that. She's like, " This is what I
am and if you like it, good. If you don't
like it, you can go away." You know what I mean?
I think when you find the happiness, who you really
are, you will make everybody around you happy. It's really
with every celebrity, sometimes people think it's a dance show, but
(24:40):
it's not only dance. You spend 8, 10 hours a
day with a person that you never met before for
if you make it all the way through, it's three
and a half months of your life. It's quite intense
and you get to know people very quickly and very
intense. It's so personal, and again like I said, it's more
(25:01):
than dancing. You get to know about their lives, their
problems, their no problems. It's just so intense in that way.
Alex Legouix (25:11):
Is that why you have the Strictly cursed?
Gorka Marquez (25:14):
Do you know what? People talk about that a lot,
but I think that's more like the old days of
Strictly. Nowadays I didn't hear that much about that.
Alex Legouix (25:25):
No.
Gorka Marquez (25:25):
But again, it's like in everything. You can have that
in the radio, you can have that in the office.
I guess if people isn't happy with their life, that's
when it comes into play, it's a full stop.
Alex Legouix (25:39):
It's going to happen, isn't it, at the end of the day? This is a Spanish center, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (25:48):
It's Spanish cultural center. So you not Spanish, you go
there. This is a famous Spanish tapas place.
Alex Legouix (25:58):
Ah, yummy. Is it good?
Gorka Marquez (26:00):
It's very good.
Alex Legouix (26:01):
yes.
Gorka Marquez (26:01):
So in Manchester there's quite few Spanish restaurants because there's
a lot of Spanish people in Manchester living. Then also
I think there's a famous football manager, Pep Guardiola, who
he has a thing, his own restaurant near in center.
Apparently it's very good also. There's a lot of Spanish
(26:21):
tapas in Manchester.
Alex Legouix (26:22):
And do you go and think, "Okay, this is good. This is good,
true Spanish, or is it like going to... People are
quite pernickety, like the Italians are very strict-
Gorka Marquez (26:34):
Yes. Italians are the worst with that, but I'm not fussy. I
don't really go to Spanish restaurants in the UK, not
even in Spain. It's just because Gemma's vegetarian and 90%
of the Spanish dishes involves pork-
Alex Legouix (26:51):
Chorizo, gamba.
Gorka Marquez (26:51):
... beef or seafood. So to go by myself or
with her and she's going to be looking at me
eating. So we don't really go. I make Spanish food
at home and that's about it. Me, I love Spanish ham.
She's obsessed with the Spanish ham.
Alex Legouix (27:07):
Are you a good chef?
Gorka Marquez (27:08):
Yeah, I like cooking. I like to spend time and make
a nice dish and then enjoy the food. I love
to make barbecues.
Alex Legouix (27:18):
yeah.
Gorka Marquez (27:17):
A nice summer barbecue.
Alex Legouix (27:18):
Barbecues are one of the main reasons why I couldn't ever
go vegetarian.
Gorka Marquez (27:23):
Like me, is that and ham. I love Avego ham. I
could live with Avego ham. In fact, I went to
a wedding last week, my best friend's wedding, and after
the wedding and they have the cocktail before dinner. It
was the wedding and they did the baby reveal after and between
both they had this cocktail and they had probably Spanish
(27:44):
ham and they were cutting it with a knife. Literally,
I was just there for two hours just eating ham.
So good. Oh, I love it.
Alex Legouix (27:56):
I know that you're very fitness conscious and we'll talk
about that, but how health conscious are you?
Gorka Marquez (28:03):
At this point in my life, health for me, it's
beyond looking good or aesthetic wise. It's more about feeling
good. I want to feel good. I train, exercise, to
be able to dance better for longer. My body is
(28:23):
my tool and if I can dance for another 10
years, it's better for me because that's what I live
off, but also because I want to run with Mia,
play with Mia and I don't want to be not
able to go in the park and run and carry
her and do fun stuff with them or with the
(28:44):
dogs. Also, help for me now is thinking the choices
and decisions that I make now, how they going to
affect me 10, 50 years time in my life. So I
want to get to 50 and feel like I'm 30,
if that makes sense. So I know whichever choice I
(29:06):
do now and whatever foods, things I put in my
body, is going to affect me in the future. That's
what I do it.
Alex Legouix (29:14):
It's a different motivation, isn't it?
Gorka Marquez (29:15):
Yeah. Also, I love healthy foods. I love eating healthy,
fresh foods. And cooking them, I enjoy. This is White
Field, where we are right now. We used to live
nearby. Especially during lockdown, I used to come here to
(29:39):
the supermarket to buy a lot of stuff for the barbecues and
everything. Before we moved to where we live now, we
used to live literally 10 minutes from this supermarket.
Alex Legouix (29:50):
So does this feel like home around here?
Gorka Marquez (29:51):
Yeah. This is local. There's a Italian restaurant opposite the Morrisons.
It's very nice. And near Morrisons it's like Roma and
it's like a Italian coffee shop and a shop that you can buy cannolis. It's proper Italian and pastry. Oh, my goodness.
Alex Legouix (30:11):
Oh, yes. Nice.
Gorka Marquez (30:11):
They have a pistachio inside or Nutella. Oh, my goodness.
Alex Legouix (30:14):
Oh, that's dangerous.
Gorka Marquez (30:15):
So good. I'm so hungry right now.
Alex Legouix (30:17):
That's making me hungry. This is nice around here. It feels a bit
more leafy.
Gorka Marquez (30:25):
We are about to pass soon the golf course, Berry
golf course, which we used to live nearby. Literally from
here it's only 15 minutes drive to where we live now.
Alex Legouix (30:37):
Funny, it's like a nice little village- y feel area.
Gorka Marquez (30:41):
The more you drive through Berry, this is this side
of berry near Manchester. We live in the other side
past Berry and it's more countryside and the parks and everything.
Alex Legouix (30:54):
What do you do for downtime?
Gorka Marquez (30:57):
I don't like to stop a lot. One of my favorite things
to do is go to a coffee shop. Breakfast is my
favorite thing. I do have breakfast anytime of the day, even if it's
not breakfast time. And I love to go for coffee
shops. Nearby, we have our local coffee shop where it's a
(31:18):
proper, nice coffee shop. We go there for breakfast with
Mia, me and Gemma and just grab a coffee and a
slice of cake. I love to sit down with nice
coffee and a nice cake. I love to do that.
I'm a sweet tooth guy, so I love cakes.
Alex Legouix (31:36):
I get that sense.
Gorka Marquez (31:37):
I love cakes and brownies, cookies. From our old house,
we used to see the golf course.
Alex Legouix (31:48):
Oh, nice. So that's a good view.
Gorka Marquez (31:48):
You have a path that you could walk into the golf course.
When Mia was little during the lockdown, when Mia was
just months old, like eight, nine months old, Gemma used
to do the radio from home-
Alex Legouix (32:02):
Of course.
Gorka Marquez (32:03):
... during lockdown. So in the afternoon I used to be
with Mia and at her nap time she used to
love fall asleep on the pram. So I used to
put her on the pram and take her around around
the golf course and she used to fall asleep on the golf course.
Alex Legouix (32:17):
Oh, nice. So we're turning into the cemetery. Why are
we here?
Gorka Marquez (32:22):
It's not a sad thing going to the cemetery. So this cemetery
is very local. In fact, Gemma's mom just live across
the road. So during lockdown, during the pandemic we used
to come here and I think me and Gemma find
it very peaceful. At the beginning I found it weird,
but then I really enjoy it, the calm and the peacefulness. You
(32:46):
walk, you hear the birds, big trees, and even we
used to bring Mia in the pram to here. In
fact, I think the first time that Mia walk on
her feet was in here. It brings me a lot
of memories during lockdown. Don't get me wrong, it was
hard and sad, but we found it like a blessing.
(33:09):
We got to spend from February to July, nine months together
as a family. So I think brought us closer together
and allowed us to make those family memories. Because probably
if it wasn't the lockdown, I would've missed Mia's first
time walking because I was on tour. So I'm very
(33:29):
grateful for that time together.
Alex Legouix (33:34):
What do you think becoming a father has taught you?
Gorka Marquez (33:39):
Unconditional love? I think. Now I understand my dad. I
don't know. I refer to Gemma a lot because I
learn a lot from Gemma and I admire Gemma in
so many ways as a human, as a woman, as
(34:00):
a working person, as a talent, as a mom, as
a partner. So many things to admire her, but I
know she, and people know about this, so she lost
her dad when she was very young. I think for
her she was very close to her dad and now
(34:20):
we have Mia and she doesn't have the chance to
her dad to met Mia. And Gemma as a mom
and everything that she accomplished. So. Sometimes when you are
young, you're selfish and you are like, oh, with your
parents and stuff like that. But a lot of times,
(34:41):
even now that I go off, my dad is calling me,
my dad is this blah, blah, blah, annoying me, blah blah, Gemma
goes to me like, " Gorka, remember you have the chance
to be annoyed by your dad. You have the chance
to get the call from your dad and share memories
with your dad." She was like, " I will give anything to have
that chance." So for me shows me to appreciate that
(35:05):
and also to make the most of it with Mia.
Every single moment that I have with Mia, I want to make the
most of it because that's old. I have a healthy
life for a long time, but you never know. You
never know what can happen in life, so I think
live your life to your fullest. Think about the future
(35:28):
and about these things that you have saved for the
future and prepare for the future, but also make the
most of every moment because you never know.
Alex Legouix (35:38):
You're about to have baby number two.
Gorka Marquez (35:42):
Soon, two, three weeks.
Alex Legouix (35:43):
That's amazing.
Gorka Marquez (35:45):
I know. It's scary but exciting because you feel like, okay,
Mia is four, we in control of everything, Mia's a
bit independent now, very helpful. Now it's baby number two,
which everything is going to be double. Two car seats
in the car. When we go for light in the
plane, we cannot be sat together. I'm going to have
(36:06):
to be the left out. Obviously Gemma will sit with the two
kids and I will be on the other side of the aisle. So will be like, okay, I'm the dad left alone.
We said we would never do that, we'll be always
two and two, so split 50-50. Excited, but also a
bit scary because also, I know how to do everything
(36:30):
for a girl, not for a boy, even if I'm
a boy. So we know Mia is going to be very helpful and we
are lucky that we have Gemma's parents live nearby, the
sister loves kids. We have a very big support around us.
Alex Legouix (36:47):
It can't have been easy bringing up Mia away from
your family-
Gorka Marquez (36:52):
That's the hard part. Also, when Mia was born in
2019, then we went to lockdown, my mom and dad
met Mia weeks after she was born and then she
saw them in Christmas, she was six months. And then went to lockdown.
Alex Legouix (37:08):
Wow.
Gorka Marquez (37:09):
So the next time that my mom and my dad
met Mia, Mia was two and a half years. So it was
very heartbroken, that moment. I had the video in my
phone when we were thinking, oh, are they going to
recognize? Mia's going to recognize them? And we got off
the airport and my parents went outside, literally Mia run
to my dad and hooks into his neck and Mia
(37:33):
love him. Honestly, my mom was sobbing. It was just the most
heartwarming moment I ever see.
Alex Legouix (37:44):
Wow.
Gorka Marquez (37:44):
Because you didn't know. Obviously we spoke in FaceTime and
everything, but she was six months the last time my
mom hold her and she run to my dad.
Alex Legouix (37:53):
That's amazing.
Gorka Marquez (37:54):
It was just beautiful.
Alex Legouix (38:00):
So what's the future for Gorka?
Gorka Marquez (38:04):
Become a father. Strictly in the next few months. For
the next few months I'm off dancing, just spending nice
quality time at home with Gemma, Mia and the new baby.
Then Strictly end of July, which that takes me until Christmas. We have
a exciting project coming up, me and Gemma.
Alex Legouix (38:27):
Can you tell us?
Gorka Marquez (38:28):
No.
Alex Legouix (38:29):
Oh, no.
Gorka Marquez (38:29):
But it's going to be fun. Then next year, my on tour
again with Karen, which is probably our third, fourth year
of tour. Busy always.
Alex Legouix (38:42):
But I really get the sense that you are a
really close- knit family and you really support each other?
Gorka Marquez (38:50):
I'm the proudest dad and partner in life. For example, when people ask
me, "Is it hard to be away?" And I was like, " Yeah. It is hard." I
wish I didn't have to be away for so many
weeks and everything, but it's part of my job. But
also they make me feel like support and also that
they are proud of what I do. Anything that I
(39:11):
do, I do it for them, just to provide them
and to make them proud and to give us the
best life that we can have. We are a good team, I think.
Alex Legouix (39:24):
Is there anything that you feel like you want to
say to our listeners that they might not know about you or...?
Gorka Marquez (39:33):
About me?
Alex Legouix (39:33):
Anything? Any words of wisdom you have?
Gorka Marquez (39:36):
The only thing I would say to everybody who listens is
just to be true to themselves and be who they
are and never change for anything and for anyone. If
they want to achieve anything in life, just be true
to themselves and work and fight and believe. If they
(39:59):
really want to achieve something, just go for it. As scary
as it can be, the scarier it is, the better
it is and probably the more it mean to you
and the more you want it. So don't be scared
because it's a good thing. So I will say, trust yourself.
Do it for yourself and believe in yourself and never
(40:22):
change. Doesn't matter how far you go in life, always
remember where you come from because at the end of
the day, we are all humans and we are all persons.
It doesn't matter how much success you have, how much
money you earn, you're still being a human. And you
can earn all the money in the world and be
alone. And what is the point you have a lot
(40:45):
of money if you are on your own? Do you
know? No?
Alex Legouix (40:50):
I a hundred percent agree.
Gorka Marquez (40:52):
I would say that to them. And thank you for
having me. It's been fun.
Alex Legouix (40:56):
Thanks for coming. We should finish by going to get
a coffee, shouldn't we?
Gorka Marquez (40:59):
Yes, please. Coffee and a cake.
Alex Legouix (41:02):
Gorka, thank you so much for joining us.
Gorka Marquez (41:04):
No, thank you for having me.
Alex Legouix (41:05):
It's been amazing.
Gorka Marquez (41:06):
Nice to chat to you in this beautiful, crazy ride.
Alex Legouix (41:16):
Thanks so much to Gorka Marquez for showing me the
Manchester haunts that make him feel so at home. You
can see exclusive footage of the drive by heading to our
Autotrader socials. Look at the episode page for links. You'll
also be able to see Sammy the VW Samba that
we drove around in. And if you are looking for
a new vehicle, you can find your perfect match at autotrader. co.
(41:39):
uk. This is a new show and I'd love you
to follow on your favorite podcast platform. Like what you
hear? Rate and review and make sure you tell your
friends so you don't miss an episode Show On the
Road is a Fresh Air production for Autotrader.
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