UNBELIEVABLE! Strictly’s Gorka Marquez speaks out on show ‘return’ days before new series begins
Gorka Marquez Teases Strictly Come Dancing Return After Exit as He Reveals Dream New Role
Gorka Marquez has offered fresh hope to Strictly Come Dancing fans by revealing that his departure from the BBC show may not necessarily be permanent.
The Spanish dancer announced in April that he was stepping away from Strictly after a decade on the programme, explaining that he felt ready to pursue new opportunities.
But the 36-year-old has now admitted he would happily return one day, potentially following the example of fellow professional Aljaz Skorjanec.
Aljaz originally left Strictly in 2022 after 10 years before making a comeback two years later.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Gorka said he would be particularly interested in returning to the show in a very different capacity.
“Who knows, maybe I [will] come back one day as a judge, you know?” he said.
“Maybe it’s time to have a Spanish judge on Strictly.”
‘Never Say Never’ to Dancefloor Return
Asked whether he could also imagine competing as a professional dancer again, Gorka refused to completely close the door.
“Who knows? Never say never,” he said.
However, judging appears to be the role that excites him most.
“I would love to come back as a judge. That’s what I would love to,” Gorka explained. “Every dancer would love to do that anyway.”
He even joked that his Spanish background could give him a distinctive place on the panel.
“And I have the Spanish flavour, you know?” he said. “Like you remember how Bruno [Tonioli] used to be the Italian judge, so I could be the Spanish one now.”
For now, there are no vacancies on the judging panel.
Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood are all remaining with the show.
Strictly Faces Major Shake-Up
Gorka’s comments come during a period of significant change for Strictly Come Dancing.
Five new professional dancers have joined the programme, while the presenting line-up has also been transformed following the departure of longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are taking on presenting duties as the BBC series enters its latest chapter.
Despite no longer being part of the professional cast, Gorka said he remains positive about the changes and intends to continue watching the programme.
His exit was not a move away from dance altogether.
When he announced his departure earlier this year, Gorka said he wanted to explore other opportunities, including working as a judge on Spain’s version of Dancing with the Stars.
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His schedule has remained busy since leaving Strictly, and he is now preparing for another major project ahead of Christmas.
New Christmas Show Keeps Gorka Dancing
This December, Gorka will appear in the new festive production Xmas on the Dancefloor.
The show will combine ballroom and Latin routines with commercial and contemporary dance, live vocals and a selection of well-known Christmas songs.
Gorka said audiences can expect music ranging from Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé to “Feliz Navidad,” while he also hopes to include Spanish festive music he grew up listening to.
“It’s a celebration of Christmas,” he said, explaining that the production will allow him to interact with audiences more than he has in previous dance shows.
“In the previous shows I never like talk or anything, it was just a pure dance show,” Gorka explained.
“For this one, I get to be more relaxed, have maybe some interaction with the audience, talk to the audience, have a bit of everything.”
He added that the aim is to create a relaxed atmosphere while getting audiences into the festive spirit.
The production opens at Blackpool Opera House on December 5 before touring 12 venues around the UK.
For now, Gorka’s attention is firmly on his new projects.
But after a decade on Strictly, he is clearly not ruling out another chapter with the show.
Whether that means returning to the dancefloor or eventually taking a seat behind the judges’ desk, his message to fans is simple: never say never.
