WAIT…Strictly’s Gorka Marquez makes MAJOR CAREER ANNOUNCEMENT that leaves fans STUNNED

Gorka Marquez has issued a major career announcement and confirmed that he will not have a Strictly celebrity partner this year. The Spanish dancer first appeared on the BBC dance competition in 2016 and has been a firm favourite ever since. He has reached the final twice, once in 2020 with former EastEnders star Maisie Smith and once again in 2022 with Helen Skelton. However, the 34-year-old has now revealed that he won’t be dancing with a celebrity for the 2025 season, but insisted that he will be in lots of group dance routines and return for the final weeks of the show to support the rest of the team.

He also detailed the main reason why he doesn’t have a partner this year: he is returning as a judge on the Spanish version of the hit dance show Bailando Con Las Estrellas.

Taking to Instagram, he stated: “I am Happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September.

“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 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. As always thank you for all The love and support and remember! Keep dancing!!” [sic]

Gorka Marquez Strictly handout screengrab

Gorka first joined the show back in 2016 and has become a fan favourite since (Image: BBC)

Many of his followers flocked to the comments section to support him. One person typed online: “Noooooo! Strictly won’t be the same without you! I hope you enjoy every minute of it!”

A second also chimed in: “Congratulations, but GUTTED you won’t be getting a partner.” A third also typed: “Congratulations, Gorka, but I won’t lie, I am sad I won’t see you with a partner in strictly.” [sic]

A fourth also echoed: “I’m Proud of you ALWAYS. I can’t wait to watch you on both shows. Gutting, you won’t have a partner, but it means double Gorks for us, which is a bonus!!! It’s true what they say: the sky is the limit! Keep achieving big! Forever and always in your corner.”