Gorka Marquez ‘steps back’ from Strictly Come Dancing after 10 years
By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Gorka Marquez has announced he will “step back” from Strictly Come Dancing after 10 years on the show.
The 35-year-old made the announcement on Instagram, saying he will “forever be thankful” for his time on the BBC dancing competition, but it is time to “hang up my dance shoes”.
It comes after the Spanish star stepped down as a full-time professional dancer on Strictly last year, which he explained was due to scheduling conflicts with his role as a judge on Dancing With The Stars in Spain.
Marquez posted a black-and-white photo of himself as he shared the news with his almost one million followers, and wrote: “After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing with the Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
“I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything.
“Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity – over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful.”
He confirmed he will remain as part of the line-up for the upcoming Strictly: The Professionals tour, which kicks off next month, and said: “Although I’m stepping away from the dance floor, I can’t wait to dance on the Strictly Pro Tour starting this week and continue being part of this incredible family.”
Marquez went on to say it is time to “take a step back”, but that he hopes to “hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way” as he watches from the sidelines.
Wrapping up the post, he wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey. Keep dancing.”
Marquez has two young children with Hits Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson, whom he met when she was a contestant on Strictly in 2017, although they were not being paired together.
They got engaged in 2021 and have a podcast together called Lost In Translation.
His dance partners on Strictly included singer Alexandra Burke, EastEnders star Maisie Smith and presenter Helen Skelton.
Marquez’s departure comes after fellow professional dancers Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk announced they were leaving Strictly.
The dancer’s post was flooded with tributes from fans and stars alike, with Hauer, Mushtuk and Bychkova among his former co-stars offering their well-wishes, each commenting with heart emojis.
Marquez was also praised in a post on the BBC Strictly Instagram page for his “exceptional contribution” to the show, and hailed for his “warmth, commitment and character”.
The broadcaster wrote: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Gorka for his exceptional contribution to Strictly Come Dancing over the years.
“Since joining the show in 2016, Gorka has been a hugely popular member of the professional dancer line-up, known for his passion, charisma and exceptional choreography.
“As well as being part of our Strictly family, it’s been heartwarming to see him start his own family during his time with us and that journey reflects the same warmth, commitment and character he has always brought to the show.
“We are incredibly grateful for his dedication to the series over the years and are so proud to see him shining in his judging role on Bailando con las Estrellas in Spain.
“We wish him continued success and happiness in everything that’s to come.”
