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Gemma Atkinson's heartbreakingly honest reason for not marrying Gorka Marquez

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson has shared a heartbreaking reason as to why she is yet to marry her fiance Gorka Marquez after more than five years together

[Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson in a selfie on holiday.]

Gemma and Gorka have been engaged for five years(Image: instagram.com/gorka_marquez)

Gemma Atkinson has revealed why she hasn't yet tied the knot with her Spanish fiance, Strictly professional dancer Gorka Marquez, with whom she shares children, Mia and Thiago.

In a heartfelt open letter to her late father David, who tragically passed away from a heart attack at just 52 when Gemma was only 17, she shared her feelings.

Marking her 24th Father's Day without him, Gemma, in support of the palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder, confessed that the thought of getting married without him there is almost unbearable - and his painful absence is one of the reasons she hasn't wed yet.

She expressed: "I'm getting married, Dad! One day, anyway. I think one of the reasons we've not done it yet is because of you. We've come close many times, but something stops me.

[Gemma]

Gemma opened up about her delayed date(Image: Instagram)

"I'm now the last Atkinson in the family line and if I give up my name, there's no more of us. I don't want to lose that remaining tie to you. Not having you walk me down the aisle... maybe I'll just stay engaged for a bit longer.

Speaking about her future husband, Gemma poignantly expressed that she believes her late father would have been a huge fan of him and their two beautiful children, whom he will sadly never meet. "I think you'd be really happy with my choice of fiance. You'd get such a kick out of Gorka being a professional dancer you loved to dance and I know you'd adore your grandchildren. Just like you adored me.

She continued emotionally: "I wish you'd got to meet him. There have been many times where he would have benefitted from your advice. You travelled so much for work and Gorka needs to be away a lot too. I remember when Mia was born, he had to leave for a tour when she was three days old. It broke his heart but I know you'd have helped him. I can hear your voice, saying, "I get it pal, I had to do the same. You'll get through it, reports the Mirror.

[Gemma]

Gemma lost her dad at 17(Image: SUPPLIED)

"I often feel sad that he never got to shake your hand. You only ever met my high school boyfriend. That's hard for me."

The former Strictly sensation and radio presenter has confessed that she keeps her father's memory alive within her family. "I talk to Thiago and Mia about you all the time. They call you GanGan David. We've got a picture of you in the house and Mia thinks GanGan David lives on the moon and you can't get out. She always asks us how we can rescue you. When our dogs died it was devastating, but Mia took comfort in the fact you were looking after them somewhere. I really believe you are."

In January, Gorka gave an update on their wedding plans, assuring fans that he and Gemma will tie the knot when their son Thiago is more self-sufficient. "We will do it, it's just not at the moment. We are very good like this, especially with having the kids. Thiago is not independent yet so we don't want to go into the wedding and be carrying him or halfway through the wedding he starts screaming that he only wants mummy, you know?!"

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