Gorka Marquez says he and Dr Punam Krishan are 'doing their best' amid Gemma Atkinson reunion

Gorka Marquez has said he and Dr Punam Krishan are 'doing their best' in Strictly Come Dancing after fans jumped to their defence over the weekend.

The couple had another tricky time in the ballroom on Saturday night (October 19) as they were awarded 21 points out of a possible 40 for their emotional and romantic Viennese waltz routine to She’s Always A Woman To Me by US singer Billy Joel.

After the performance, Shirley Ballas appeared to compliment Punam and Gorka's VT, which featured the former's young son as she commented: "We met backstage and we had the chance to have a chat about our boys. When I watched your VT and I think of how I am as a mother, you lit up that whole room and were telling me how much he meant to you..."

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The head judge did go on to add: "You are surprising yourself, and us, with the lovely delightful dancing you are doing. Just need to turn it up a little bit. Beautiful VT and I just think you are a doll."

Anton Du Beke told Punam to "share" her "beautiful dancing", adding that she needs to "go strong" with her performance. On the other hand, Motsi Mabuse said she "loved the wedding vibe, it was romantic and vulnerable". However, Craig Revel Horwood said the routine "lacked musicality, it lacked energy in the body".

Strictly fans quickly defended the couple's routine, claiming it was undermarked, and the support translated into votes as Punam and Gorka were later seen making it through to week six of the BBC One dance contest during Sunday night's (October 19) results show.

Sharing a post from Strictly's Instagram page showing the moment their place in the show's Halloween special was confirmed, Gorka wrote in view of his fans and followers: "Thank you so much!!!" alongside a face holding back tears and the praying hand emojis."

The 34-year-old Spanish dancer added: "So grateful for your votes guys! One more week to keep working and doing our best to keep improving."

Both Gorka and Punam have since been given a boost with Gemma Atkinson's arrival. Gorka hasn't seen his fiancee, who he met on Strcitly in 2017, for a number of weeks as he usually trains in Glasgow, where Punam is based, before they spend the weekends in London for the live show.

But this week, they are all heading to the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday night (October 21) meaning Gemma was in the capital and Gorka and Punam extended their stay before heading back to practice their next routine in Glasgow.

Sharing a snap of herself and Gemma to her Instagram Story, Punam wrote: "We have a visitor. So lush getting tops from the lovely @glouiseatkinson." Gemma, who made it to the final of the 2017 series with Aljaz Skorjanec, then reshared the post to her Instagram Story with a string of red heart emojis.