Strictly Come Dancing’s Gorka Marquez took to social media to share an update about his role on the upcoming series. Although it feels like we have just said goodbye to last year’s contestants, a whole host of new celebrities will be getting glitzed and glammed ready to take to the ballroom next month.
Gorka Marquez joined the hit BBC dancing programme in 2016 and has become a key member of the cast. He is engaged to Gemma Atkinson and the couple met on Strictly in 2017 and got engaged in 2021. They share two children, Mia, six and Thiago, two.
The Spanish professional dancer was partnered with EastEnders star Tameka Empson in his first series, followed by singer Alexandra Burke in his second stint on the show.
The partnership proved to be a success as they reached the final, finishing runner-up behind Joe McFadden and his professional partner Katya Jones. In the latest series of the show, Gorka was eliminated in week six with his partner Punam Krishan.
Gorka is part of the 2025 line-up of professionals but he recently took to social media to share the news that he won’t be getting a celebrity partner due to other work commitments.
The 34-year-old shared a post on Instagram as he said: “I am happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September.
“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!!!”
Gorka’s co-stars rushed to show their support. Karen Hauer said: “Congratulations little man!! Hit it hard.” Johannes Radebe said: “Congrats Papi.”
Tasha Ghouri, who made it to the final of last year’s competition, said: “Congratulations Gorka!!!” Jowita Pryztal added: “Congratulations.” Gorka’s fiance Gemma said: “Vamos! Very proud.”
One fan wrote: “Congratulations Gorka have the best time. However it’s disappointing that you are not competing on SCD. Gorka you are long overdue winning the competition. Enjoy your judging role.”
A second follower said: “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.”
Gorka will be a judge on the second series of “Bailando con las estrellas” which is the Spanish version of Strictly Come Dancing. Despite not having a celebrity to dance with each week on the English version, he will still appear on our screens as a part of the show-stopping group routines.
Claudia Winkleman will return as co-host for the 2025 series alongside Tess Daly. Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse will be dusting off their numbers as part of the iconic judging panel.
It has recently been confirmed that two new professional dancers have joined the line-up for the new series. Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon will be paired up with two celebrities as the show gets underway later this year.
American-born Alexis is best known for winning US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and was crowned as ‘America’s Favourite Dancer’, becoming the first female Ballroom and Latin dancer to claim the title.
She has performed as a guest Professional Dancer and in the dance troupe on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, and has been part of the series’ accompanying US tour for the past three years.
Australian-born Julian has been dancing since the age of 10, specialising in Ballroom and Latin American, and going on to represent Australia on the international stage. He appeared as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars.
Below are all of the dancers who are confirmed to be taking part in the 2025 series:
Professional dancers taking part in this year’s Strictly:
- Dianne Buswell
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Amy Dowden
- Karen Hauer
- Katya Jones
- Neil Jones
- Nikita Kuzmin
- Gorka Marquez
- Luba Mushtuk
- Jowita Przystal
- Johannes Radebe
- Aljaž Škorjanec
- Kai Widdrington
- Nancy Xu
- Carlos Gu
- Lauren Oakley
- Michelle Tsiakkas
- Vito Coppola
- Alexis Warr
- Julian Caillon