BREAKING NEWS: Strictly’s Gorka Marquez speaks out on show ‘return’ days before new series begins
Strictly Come Dancing’s Gorka Marquez insists he may not be gone forever after leaving fans devastated by his exit
Strictly’s Gorka Marquez spoke out about potentially returning to the show (Image: BBC)
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has revealed he may follow in his co-star Aljaz Skorjanec’s footsteps and make a return to the show, after announcing his exit. Aljaz quit the BBC dance competition in 2022 after 10 years of strutting his stuff on the dance floor, but returned two years later.
Gorka announced back in April that he was stepping away from the show after a decade, leaving many of his fans upset.
In a statement, the 36-year-old said he felt the time was right to explore new opportunities, including being a judge on Spain’s version of Dancing with the Stars.
However, this may not be the last we see of the Spanish dancer on Strictly. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Gorka said he would love to to return – but in a different role.
The dancer announced his exit from the show after 10 years in April (Image: PA)
“Who knows, maybe I [will] come back one day as a judge, you know? Maybe it’s time to have a Spanish judge on Strictly,” he shared.
Asked if he would take to the dance floor again, he added: “Who knows? Never say never, but I would love to come back as a judge. That’s what I would love to. Every dancer would love to do that anyway,” he added.
“And I have the Spanish flavour, you know? Like you remember how Bruno [Tonioli] used to be the Italian judge, so I could be the Spanish one now.”
For now, the show’s four judges — Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood — are staying put.
Gorka with his wife-to-be Gemma Atkinson (Image: INSTAGRAM/GORKAMARQUEZ)
Their return comes amid a series of changes to the show, including the introduction of five new professional dancers and three new presenters, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s exit.
Gorka has high hopes that the shake-up will be a success and has vowed to continue being part of the Strictly experience as a viewer.
For now, his schedule remains as packed as ever. This December, he will be getting fans ready for the festive season in the brand new Christmas spectacular, Xmas on the Dancefloor.
The show combines Strictly-style ballroom and Latin dancing with commercial and contemporary routines, live vocals and some of the biggest festive hits of all time.
The dancer spoke to Express.co.uk ahead of his brand new show (Image: PH)
He said of his involvement: “It’s a celebration of Christmas, like dance to the classic songs from Christmas, from Mariah Carey to Michael Bublé to Feliz Navidad. I want to bring some Spanish songs that I grew up listening to in Spain. [too].
“In the previous shows I never like talk or anything, it was just a pure dance show. 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.
“It’s Christmas, so you’re going to make it a little bit more relaxed, but also like kind of put everybody in the spirit of Christmas,” he added.
The ultimate festive dance spectacular for all ages opens at Blackpool Opera House on 5 December before touring 12 venues across the UK. More information can be found here.
