Professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing withdraws from the upcoming season, yet fans can rejoice following long-term discussions.
Gorka Marquez, a popular professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, will be absent from the 2025 series due to his commitment as a judge on the Spanish version of the show, Bailando Con Las Estrellas.
Marquez, who has been a Strictly Come Dancing professional since 2016 and has appeared in eight series, will still participate in the group ensemble dances during the first few episodes of Strictly before leaving to fulfill his commitments on the Spanish show. He is expected to return for the group dance in the final weeks of the Strictly 2025 series [1].
Bailando Con Las Estrellas, essentially the Spanish equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing, is a celebrity dance competition show where dance professionals and celebrities compete. In this instance, Marquez is a judge rather than a contestant [1].
Meanwhile, two new professionals, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, have been drafted for Strictly Come Dancing this year. Warr, a familiar face on the global Dancing With The Stars circuit, has been touring with the show for the past three years. She even won America's Favourite Dancer on So You Think You Can Dance in 2022. Warr has performed as a troupe member and guest pro on the American Dancing With The Stars [1].
Strictly Come Dancing bosses were desperate to keep Marquez and made arrangements to accommodate his schedule. The BBC, which airs Strictly Come Dancing, has clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with serious complaints. Recently, allegations of cocaine abuse by two stars behind the scenes have surfaced, and a law firm has been hired by the BBC to probe the damning allegations made by celebrity contestant Wynne Evans [1].
The BBC encourages people to speak to them if they have concerns about Strictly Come Dancing. Others have also reported allegations of drug taking on the show. Nevertheless, Marquez's highest finishes on Strictly Come Dancing have been as runner-up with Maisie Smith, Alexandra Burke, and Helen Skelton.
Marquez will return for the final weeks of Strictly Come Dancing to support the rest of his fellow pros and their celebrities. He will be back for season two of Bailando Con Las Estrellas as a judge from September [1].
[1] Source: BBC Press Office
Despite Gorka Marquez's commitment as a judge on Bailando Con Las Estrellas, the Spanish equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing, he will still participate in the group ensemble dances during the early episodes of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. However, he is expected to leave the show to fulfill his duties on Bailando Con Las Estrellas, returning for the group dance in the final weeks of the series.
