Gorka Márquez has confirmed he will not be competing in Strictly Come Dancing this year as he returns as a judge on the Spanish edition of the dancing programme.
He announced the news on social media, confirming that he would be returning for the second season of Bailando Con Las Estrellas from September, meaning that he wouldn’t be able to dedicate time to having a celebrity partner.
He wrote on Instagram: “Due to the filming dates this means that I won’t be competing with a partner this year in Strictly but I will be a part of lots of the group numbers and will be back for the final weeks of the show to support the rest of my fellow pros and their celebrities in what is going to be an amazing series.”
Márquez has been a mainstay on the programme since he joined in 2016, and has been paired with the likes of Alexandra Burke, Maisie Smith and Helen Skelton, of whom he reached the final with.
Last year, Márquez was paired with Morning Live presenter Dr Punam Krishan, and the pair wowed audiences with their historic Bollywood inspired performance.
The couple performed a Couple’s Choice to Bole Chudiyan from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, one of the highest grossing Indian films ever, as Krishan paid tribute to her late grandfather who passed away during the pandemic.
Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez for Radio Times. Yoshitaka Kono
Márquez’s fellow dancers have shared their support for the pro, with Johannes Radebe writing: “Congrats papi,” and newcomer Julian Caillon adding: “Congrats bro!”
Caillon and Alexis Warr were announced as the latest dancers to be joining the professionals line-up, but details on whether or not they will get a celebrity partner are yet to be revealed.
Rumours are at an all time high for which famous faces could be donning their sparkles this year, with announcements expected to begin soon for what is undoubtedly set to be an exciting season!
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
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