A NUMBER of talented dancing professionals joined this year's celebrities on their Strictly 2022 journey.
However, only four Strictly professionals made it all the way to tonight's grand final – one of them is Spanish star Gorka Marquez.
Who is Gorka Marquez?
Gorka, 32, was born on September 4, 1990 and is a Spanish dancer and choreographer.
He first joined the Strictly family back in 2016 and was partnered with EastEnders actress, Tameka Empson.
Before joining the glitz and glam of Strictly, Gorka discovered his passion for dancing at the tender age of 12.
After attending dance classes as a pre-teen, it wasn't long before Gorka was one of the top movers in Spain.
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He represented the country in the World Latin Championships in 2010 and reached the semi-finals of the 2012 WDSF World Cup.
In 2014, Gorka took a lead role in the global dance phenomenon Burn The Floor – a job which saw him take his talents global.
When was Gorka Marquez's baby born?
Gorka and actress Gemma Atkinson welcomed their baby girl into the world on July, 4, 2019.
The proud parents posted a snap of their daughter on Instagram two weeks after her birth and revealed their daughter's name is Mia Louise Marquez.
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The cute snap shown 'Mini Marquez' – as she's been affectionately nicknamed – quietly snoozing in her crib while wearing a cosy pink knitted jumper and some white sock on her feet.
The couple revealed they were expecting their first baby on February 1, 2019.
In 2022, Gemma revealed how she was left red-faced after her daughter Mia said: "My mummy's got a baby in her tummy'' in front of everyone at her nursery.
Speaking on her Hits Radio show, the star, 37, insisted she was not pregnant but put on a little weight following a recent trip to Spain.
However, her three-year-old daughter was clearly convinced otherwise.
Who is Gorka Marquez's Strictly 2022 partner?
This series has seen Gorka Marquez paired with Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton.
Taking the competition by storm, the dancing duo have made it all the way to the shows grand finale – and now they're hoping to take home the famous Glitterball Trophy tonight (December, 17, 2022).
The pair are the bookies second favourite to win the dazzling dancing competition.
Are Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson engaged?
Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson announced their engagement after the Strictly pro popped the question in 2021 on the most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day.
The former Emmerdale actress revealed the happy news in a romantic Instagram post with a picture of her and Spanish dancer Gorka.
Posing next to her husband to be, Gemma flashed her diamond engagement ring.
She captioned the snap: “Valentine’s forever… Of course I said yes.”
Gorka also shared the news with his followers, posting the same picture of them.
He wrote: “The best day with my forever Valentine’s.“I asked and she said YES!!!!!!"
The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and have been together ever since.
Fans of the happy couple are still eagerly awaiting news of their wedding.
When was Gorka assaulted?
In 2016, Gorka opened up about an horrific assault he experienced in Blackpool, in what police called a random and unprovoked attack.
The dancing pro was set attacked by a gang of youths just hours after he appeared on the live Blackpool week of Strictly 2016.
He had two teeth smashed out in the assault, which took place as he walked to a nightclub with friends and fellow Strictly professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones.
He had to undergo emergency dental surgery.
Ever the professional, he returned to the show in order to perform in the group routines for the rest of the series.
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