Gorka Marquez, a Strictly Come Dancing star, has announced that he will become a TV ballroom judge.
The 33-year-old dancer has announced his exciting new job, although he will not be on the panel for the UK version of the celebrity competition, instead returning to his native country for the Spanish edition.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘I finally can share the news that I will be one of the Judges in the Spanish version of Strictly “Bailando con las Estrellas” @bailandoest
So excited to back in Spain and doing the show that changed my whole life and excited to be sat on the other side of the floor this time even if I am not sure I will be able to hold my self and not dance 😂 🕺🏻
‘First show is this Saturday and I can’t wait.’
He will be going back and forth to Spain for the position, joining Blanca Li, Julia Gómez Cora, Antonia Dell’Atte, and Boris Izaguirre on the panel.
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Following his declaration, he received a stream of congratulatory comments from fans and other Strictly performers.
‘Ayeeeee go gorks,’ wrote Dianne Buswell, and Carlos Gu commented: ‘Woohooooo, congratulations.’
And Gorka’s fiancée Gemma – who has daughter Mia and son Thiago with the dancer – quipped: ‘Woohoo! So proud and so excited to watch (if I can figure out the Spanish tele).’
She shared the good news with her Instagram Story followers and expressed her pride in her guy.
‘So Gorka is flipping sides for a while and is a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly! Their first show is Saturday,’ she said. ‘So proud of him, I know he’ll be ace. Firm but fair I’ve suggested.’
Despite some fear that this may be the end of his tenure on the UK version of Strictly, there isn’t likely to be a conflict, since the Spanish edition ends in March, months before he’d need to return as a pro on the BBC programme.
However, late last year, the dancer, who has been matched with stars such as Alexandra Burke, Katie Piper, Maisie Smith, and Helen Skelton since his debut in 2016, said his future on the show is uncertain.
During a Q&A session with his followers on Instagram, Gorka was asked whether he’d be returning next year, and responded: ‘I get asked this a lot! I hope so, it’s not my decision but I would love to!
‘It’s the best show in TV and I am grateful to have the chance to be a small part in it.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year to BBC One.
