Gorka Marquez has left Strictly Come Dancing after a decade with the BBC series. The 35-year-old professional dancer is the fifth to exit ahead of the next season, announcing his departure on Instagram with a black-and-white photo of himself walking away from the camera, dressed in a suit and dance shoes, toward a studio door.
Why Is Gorka Marquez Leaving?
In his Instagram post, Marquez explained that after stepping down as a full-time professional last year due to scheduling conflicts with Dancing With The Stars Spain, he has now chosen to “hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.” He expressed gratitude to the show, which allowed him to “build a career from my passion, find love, start a family and make lifelong friends.”
What’s Next for Gorka?
Despite leaving the series, Marquez confirmed he will still participate in the Strictly Pro Tour starting next week. He hinted at a step back, saying he will “hopefully hold up a few paddles and put out some tens,” though it remains unclear whether this refers to his role in Spain or a potential judging position on the BBC show.
Gorka’s Journey on Strictly
Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 and has partnered with celebrities including Tameka Empson, Maisie Smith, Helen Skelton, and Alexandra Burke. He was unpaired last year due to his conflicting schedule with Dancing With The Stars in Spain.
He met his partner, actress Gemma Atkinson (known for Hollyoaks, Casualty, and Emmerdale), on the show in 2017 when she was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec. Atkinson commented on his farewell post: “Thank goodness you were on the show in 2017! Exciting times ahead.”
Marquez’s departure adds to a growing list of professionals leaving the series, marking the end of an era for the beloved dance competition.
