Strictly Come Dancing fans have reacted to the news that long-running professional dancer Gorka Márquez won’t have a celebrity partner when the show returns this year
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing have shared their disappointment over an announcement ahead of the new series. Some have said that the show “won’t be the same” after one of the pros confirmed that they won’t be competing.
The BBC show is just weeks away from returning, with viewers awaiting the line-up of celebrities ahead of the launch. While no contestants have been confirmed yet, earlier this year, the broadcaster announced which pros will be back on the dance floor when the show returns.
It was revealed that they will include Gorka Márquez, 34. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, there will be a host of other returning pros alongside him including Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu and Vito Coppola. It comes after reports of all the celebrities rumoured to be joining BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
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At the time, it was also announced that two new dancers will be making their debut in the series. The newcomers have since been unveiled as So You Think You Can Dance champion Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, who worked on Dancing with the Stars in Australia.
There’s thought to be more pros than contestants and it’s yet to be revealed which of the dancers will be paired with celebrity partners this year. Long-running pro Gorka, 34, has however confirmed that he won’t be one of them this time.
Amid the second week of rehearsals, Gorka announced earlier this week that he will return as a judge to the Spanish version of Strictly, Bailando con las estrellas, for a second series. He first appeared on the judging panel last year.
On Wednesday, he told his followers on Instagram: “I am Happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September.” He added that it means he won’t have a partner on Strictly though.
Gorka said: “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!”
His fiancée Gemma Atkinson responded: “Vamos! Very proud.” A number of his Strictly co-stars also showed their support. Some fans expressed their disappointment that he won’t be competing though, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
One reacted: “Noooooo! Strictly won’t be the same without you! I hope you enjoy every minute of it!” Another commented: “Gutted wanted you to win.” A third wrote: “Gutted, always love to see u with a partner but least we will still see u in the group numbers.”
Someone replied to the announcement: “Congratulations and very well deserved too. It won’t be the same without you on Strictly.” Whilst another fan said: “Super happy for you @gorka_marquez but I will miss you on Strictly.”
Sharing their thoughts, another said: “Strictly won’t be the same without you @gorka_marquez! We needed you to lift that glitter ball as you nearly did so many times.” One fan wrote: “It seems that lots of people feel like I do. Good for you!! And a little sad for us!”
Whilst another viewer reacted to the news: “It won’t be the same without you but so excited for your judging role again! Congratulations!! And I’m looking forward to the group numbers.”
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