Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez pulls out of show as he makes career announcement

Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez has revealed that he won't be competing with a partner on the BBC show this year - and will be missing for a number of weeks from the series. Gorka, 34, has been a Strictly staple since joining the cast back in 2016.

Now, the professional dancer will be taking a step back from the series - but not all hope is lost for fans, with the star set to return towards the final. Announcing the news in an Instagram post, Gorka revealed that he'll be a judge on the Spanish version of the show instead from September.

"I am Happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September," he said on Instagram. It comes after reports of all the celebrities rumoured to be joining BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

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He continued in the post: "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."

Gorka ended the post by thanking his fans for all "the love and support", before saying: "And remember! Keep dancing!!!" Gorka has been a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly since its second series in 2023.

The Mirror understands that Strictly fans will get the chance to see Gorka in the majority of this year's series - as he will appear in weekly group numbers up to and including week seven. He will then return to the show rom week 11 onwards until the live final.

Earlier this week, the Strictly professionals were spotted arriving for rehearsals amid the BBC launching an investigation into the show's cocaine scandal. Two stars from the show are alleged to have taken cocaine while appearing on the primetime series.

The drug use claims were submitted to the BBC in March by Russell's Solicitors on behalf of a celebrity contestant and it's believed that other individuals have also brought forward allegations of drug consumption on the show.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the BBC is ready to offer the two stars a rehabilitation programme following revelations of cocaine use.

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