The Strictly Come Dancing fan favourite took to Instagram to make a huge career announcement.
Strictly Come Dancing star, Gorka Marquez, has revealed that he won't be competing with a partner on the BBC show this year. The professional dancer, 34, will also be missing for a number of weeks from the series.
Gorka, who has been a staple on Strictly since he joined the cast back in 2016, will now be taking a step back from the series but fans don't need to get too disappointed as the star is set to return towards the final. Announcing the news in an Instagram post to his 973k followers, Gorka revealed that he'll be taking on a role as a judge on the Spanish version of the show instead from September onwards.
He took to Instagram to announce the news, writing: "I am happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September." Explaining why there will be a change in his role on Strictly this year, he added: "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."
One upset supporter wrote: "Nooooo. Whilst I am happy you are a judge in Spain I am sad you are not in the UK Strictly."
Another agreed: "I so agree Gorka is the reason why I watch it, so sad."
A third echoed: "Ditto", with a crying face emoji.
Gorka has been a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly since its second series in 2023.
The Mirror reports that Strictly viewers will still get the chance to see Gorka in the majority of this year's upcoming series as he will still appear in weekly group numbers up to and including week seven,
He will then return to the show from week 11 onwards until the live final.
The Strictly professionals were spotted arriving for rehearsals earlier this week amid the BBC launching an investigation into the show's cocaine scandal.
Two stars from the BBC show are alleged to have taken cocaine while on the programme.
The drug use allegations were put forward to the BBC in March by Russell's Solicitors on behalf of a celebrity contestant.
It's believed that other individuals have also brought forward allegations of drug consumption on the show.
It was reported earlier this week that the BBC is ready to offer the two stars a rehabilitation programme following revelations of cocaine use.
