Gorka Marquez Speaks Out on Strictly Come Dancing Future
Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez has addressed the "hardest part" of his involvement with the hit BBC show, amidst ongoing speculation that he may have been axed from the lineup. The 35-year-old Spanish dancer, who joined the programme in 2016, missed the most recent series due to commitments on the Spanish version of Strictly, where he serves as a judge.
Speculation Mounts Over Professional Dancer Exits
Gorka's comments come as Strictly has recently bid farewell to several professional dancers, including Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, and Luba Mushtuk. Karen Hauer, the longest-serving professional on the show, confirmed her exit, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the 2026 roster. While the BBC has yet to announce the official lineup for the upcoming series, Gorka remains active in the Strictly community, participating in the Strictly Professionals Live tour.
On the tour, he is joined by fellow professionals such as Julian Caillon, Luba Mushtuk, Vito Coppola, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, Jowita Przystał, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu. This involvement has fueled discussions about his potential return to the main show, though no confirmation has been provided by the broadcaster.
Gorka's Candid Remarks on Tour Rehearsals
During an episode of the Lost in Translation podcast, hosted by his wife Gemma Atkinson, Gorka was asked about the tour's progress. He responded, "Yes, I am enjoying it. Rehearsals are the hardest part. Anyway, it's different people, so yeah, we're just walking around, but it's fun. It's new faces doing the pro tour, it's nice, it's a good bunch." This insight into the demanding nature of rehearsals highlights the rigorous preparation behind the scenes of Strictly-related events.
Previously, Gorka had expressed enthusiasm for the tour, stating, "Speaking on behalf of all my fabulous fellow pros, we're super excited to be heading out on tour next year with this great show! The audiences should be ready to have a fantastic time when they come to watch us across the UK because we are going to give them our best performance. We can't wait to hit the dance floor to entertain everyone."
Broader Changes in Strictly Come Dancing
The speculation around Gorka's future is part of a larger wave of changes affecting Strictly Come Dancing. In addition to the departure of professional dancers, the show has also lost presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the upcoming series. This has led to rumours about potential replacements, with names like Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, Fleur East, Janette Manrara, Hannah Waddingham, and Stacey Dooley being floated as contenders.
Janette Manrara, a former Strictly professional and co-host of the companion show It Takes Two, recently addressed reports that she had been axed. Despite the BBC labelling such claims as "factually incorrect," whispers persist. In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Janette said, "I don't know, we'll have to wait and find out. I think everyone at the moment is on standby, so we'll see what happens... That's showbiz!" This statement underscores the ongoing uncertainty within the Strictly production team as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Gorka Marquez's career on Strictly has seen notable highs, including reaching the final in his debut series with Alexandra Burke and again in 2022 with Helen Skelton. As fans await official announcements, his participation in the live tour and candid comments continue to keep his name in the spotlight, fueling both hope and speculation about his return to the BBC dance floor.
