Gorka Marquez Leaves Strictly for Family & New Projects

Gorka Marquez, a beloved professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing for ten years, has announced his departure to seek new career paths. The 36-year-old dancer expressed his eagerness to spend more time with his children, Mia, six, and Thiago, three, and his fiancée Gemma Atkinson, citing concerns about missing precious family moments.

Despite leaving the dance floor, Marquez's schedule remains busy. He is slated to appear on the Spanish version of Dancing with the Stars in January and will participate in the 'Here Come The Boys' tour with former Strictly colleagues. Additionally, he is involved in the new festive spectacular, 'Xmas on the Dance Floor'.

Reflecting on his exit, Marquez stated it was 'time' for new experiences after a decade on the show, emphasizing his continued connection to the Strictly family. He expressed a strong desire to return to Strictly in the future, specifically as a judge, drawing a parallel to Bruno Tonioli's former role as the Italian judge and suggesting he could bring a 'Spanish flavour' to the panel.

The upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, premiering on Saturday, September 19, 2026, will feature a new lineup of celebrity contestants, hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, and five new professional dancers.