Gorka Marquez shares crying selfie after Strictly Come Dancing return as he feels 'sadness and guilt

Gorka Marquez has been left in tears as he faces leaving his family behind for his role on Strictly Come Dancing. The dancer was seen back on screens over the weekend as the BBC One dance contest returned for its 2024 series.

The 22nd series kicked off on Saturday night (September 14) with the pre-recorded launch show in which fans were told the celebrity and professional dancer pairings for the first time.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were back in the iconic ballroom as they welcomed the class of 2024 for the first time, along with the show's knowledgeable judges, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

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The launch show featured five epic performances including a fun, fancy footwork filled routine from the pros - and cameos from the wider Strictly family - encouraging everyone to get aboard the Strictly Bus.

But fans were eagerly awaiting the reveal of the couples for Strictly 20th anniversary year and Gorka, who is now the longest-serving male professional dancer on the programme, was revealed to have been paired with Dr Punam Krishan, a practising GP who is also a broadcaster, being the resident GP on BBC Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland.

Dr Punam is based in Glasgow which means Gorka will be leaving Greater Manchester behind, where he lives with fiancee Gemma Atkinson and their two children - for spending his weekdays in Scotland before heading back down to London for the live shows over the weekend.

And while Gorka is thrilled to be back on Strictly and to be partnered with Dr Punam, the 34-year-old has also shared the reality behind being away from his family for his