Strictly Come Dancing star Alexandra Burke fuming with Gorka Marquez over his 'romance with Gemma Atkinson'

The pair are said to be 'at war' during rehearsals 
'At war': Dance partners Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez
BBC/Guy Levy
Emma Powell2 November 2017

Alexandra Burke is reportedly fuming with her Strictly Come Dancing partner Gorka Marquez over his alleged relationship with fellow contestant Gemma Atkinson.

Burke and Marquez are said to be ‘at war’ in rehearsals as Burke is concerned he is not fully focusing on dancing with her.

Marquez – who branded Atkinson a “beautiful girl” – admitted Burke often infuriates him during training.

He told The Sun: “She shouts more to me than I shout at her. She brings the beast out of me.”

Frontrunner: Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez in the ballroom
Guy Levy/PA

Burke said: “He’s scared of me. There was one time that he stopped mid-dance and I shouted and I screamed at him saying, ‘You are meant to be a pro, don’t ever stop’.

“He was like, ‘Woah, OK girl. I will never stop again’.”

Professional: Gemma Atkinson with Aljaž Škorjanec
BBC/Guy Levy

A source close to the show said: "This is just complete nonsense, Alex and Gorka are getting on really well - they're definitely pushing each other in the rehearsal room to be the best they can be and create amazing routines. And as for the rumoured 'war' with Gemma that is laughable, they hang out together backstage every Friday and Saturday.”

Burke is one of the frontrunners having bagged herself the first 10 of the series for her jive to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.

The former X Factor winner broke down on receiving 39 points out of a possible 40, telling host Claudia Winkleman that she wishes her mother Melissa Bell, who died just days before the filming began, could have witnessed the performance.

Burke recently revealed she feels guilty about enjoying her time on the BBC ballroom show so soon after her mother's death.

Standard Online has contacted representatives for Marquez and Burke for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - In pictures

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Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:50pm

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