Strictly fans all say same thing as they cry this year's series 'won't be the same'
Viewers looking forward to Strictly Come Dancing's September return have been disappointed to hear one bit of news ahead of the 2025 season
The Strictly judges
(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing superfans have been reacting to the news that Spanish pro dancer, Gorka Marquez, will not be dancing with a partner when the 2025 series returns. With just weeks to go before the show returns with a new raft of celebrities, Gorka has confirmed he won't be dancing competitively this year due to commitments in his home country.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (August 6), during the second week of rehearsals ahead of the pre-recording of the group numbers set to feature throughout the upcoming series, Gorka revealed he was returning as a judge to the Spanish version of Strictly, Bailando con las estrellas, for a second series, reports the MEN. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
Sharing the news on Instagram on Wednesday (August 6), the 34-year-old 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!!!" His fiancée Gemma Atkinson was quick to respond, saying: "Vamos! Very proud."
Viewers will miss Gorka
(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
His Strictly co-stars were also quick to show their support while fans shared how gutted they were that he won't be competing this year.
@allthingskps_ said: "Noooooo! Strictly won't be the same without you! I hope you enjoy every minute of it!" @wendysmith3076 commented: "Gutted wanted you to win."
@staceyhorton_ wrote: "Gutted , always love to see u with a partner but least we will still see u in the group numbers." @sjhnce replied: "Congratulations and very well deserved too. It won't be the same without you on Strictly."
Currently, there are no celebrities confirmed for the BBC One dance contest's 2025 series. It was earlier this year that the broadcaster confirmed which professional dancers would be back on the dance floor this year.
For the upcoming series, professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk will take to the floor once more.
They'll also be joined by Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
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And when the pro line-up was confirmed, it was also revealed that two brand new professional dancers will be making their debut, and the newcomers have since been revealed as So You Think You Can Dance champion Alexis Warr and Australia's Dancing With The Stars' Julian Caillon.
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