BBC Strictly Come Dancing confirms first benched professional for 2025 series
Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez has revealed he won't be competing on the BBC show this year
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed its first benched professional for the 2025 series.
Veteran star Gorka Marquez has confirmed that he won't have a celebrity partner this year.
The 34-year-old dancer has been a cornerstone of Strictly since joining the professional line-up in 2016.
Now, Gorka will be taking a step back from the series - but not all hope is lost for fans, with the star set to return towards the final.
Announcing the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday (August 6), Gorka revealed that he is set to be a judge on the Spanish version of the show from September.
"I am Happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September," he wrote, reports the Mirror.
Gorka Marquez won't have a celebrity partner this year
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
"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."
Gorka concluded his message by expressing gratitude to his fans for all "the love and support", before adding: "And remember! Keep dancing!!!"
Fans quickly took to the comments section to share their well wishes, with one person writing: "So proud of you Gorka, huge congratulations."
Another added: "Congratulations! You'll be missed on this series," while a third said: "Nooooo! Strictly won't be the same without you! I hope you enjoy every minute of it!"
Gorka has served as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly since its second series launched in 2023.
The dancer made a huge career announcement on Wednesday
(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
It's understood by The Mirror that Strictly fans will get the chance to see Gorka in the majority of this year's series, as he will 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.
Earlier this week, the Strictly professionals were seen arriving for rehearsals ahead of this year's line-up being announced.
With the launch fast approaching, the BBC is keeping the 2025 cast firmly under wraps.
Cast rumours currently include Love Island star Dani Dyer, Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah, Corrie's Helen Flanagan and I'm a Celeb winner Vicky Pattison.
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Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn
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