Strictly’s Alexandra Burke accuses professional dance partner Gorka Marquez of spending too much time flirting with rival Gemma Atkinson
STRICTLY star Gorka Marquez is in hot water with partner Alexandra Burke — after she accused him of spending too much time flirting.
Alex, 29, is said to be furious that Gorka has struck up a romance with rival Gemma Atkinson, 32.
And sources told how Alex has been heard sniping to staff backstage that she hopes the Emmerdale actress and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec are voted off soon.
One said: “Gorka is a professional and he is not giving up any of his rehearsal time with Alex to see Gemma.
“Their romance doesn’t seem to distract him at all. But it is a sore point for Alex, who wishes she — and their dancing — was his sole focus. It really irritates her to see him flirting with Gemma.
“Alex is at heart a nice girl but has an unshakeable competitive streak.”
The Sun revealed the pair were seeing each other at the start of October as sources revealed Gemma clicked with Gorka the moment they met in group rehearsals.
The pair have been featuring on each other's Snapchat posts while they have also been pictured together at cosy dinners in recent weeks.
The budding romance is the first time in the BBC show’s history that a contestant has hooked up with a dancer who is not their own partner.
A Strictly insider previously revealed: “Gorka and Gemma are together. It’s the talk of the make-up room.
“Not surprisingly, Alexandra is furious about how it might impact her chances of winning. She’s very ambitious and is nervous about it all.”
The famous “Strictly curse” has ended several relationships over the years.
But Gemma previously said: “I’ve been single ages so there wouldn’t be any curse for me. It would be a blessing.”
Gorka split with his fiancée last year on the same night he suffered an alleged assault in Blackpool which left him with two broken teeth.
However Gorka’s celebrity partner Alexandra, 29, insisted there was no chance of her having a fling on the show.
The former X Factor winner started dating boyfriend Josh Ginnelly last year during her run in the Sister Act musical.