Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has responded to speculation that he is leaving the BBC show.
The professional, who was partnered with Helen Skelton for this year’s series, joined the show in 2016, but has been hit with rumours of a departure since losing out to Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal in the final.
However, in a comment on Instagram, Gorka denied the gossip, reassuring fans he would be staying. In a post, Gorka shared a photo of himself with partner Gemma Atkinson and daughter Mia as they boarded a flight for a holiday, writing: “We landed 🛬 ❤️ @glouiseatkinson #home”
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A fan replied to the post by writing (via Metro): “Can’t believe you’ve left Strictly,” but Gorka quickly shut down this theory by responding: “Don’t believe it 😉”
The dancer recently addressed the debate about his facial expressions when Hamza and Jowita were announced as champions, with several viewers asserting that he looked “fuming” at the result.
“I wasn't fuming but I wanted Helen to finish the season with the cherry on top,” he said in an interview on BBC Radio 5. “But I was very happy for Hamza and Jowita – they've been amazing.
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“Whoever won, it was amazing because the three couples [himself and Helen, Fleur East and Vito Coppola, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu] have been incredible, but we care and we love our job,” he continued.
Helen echoed the sentiments of her dance partner, adding: “Obviously we're delighted for Hamza because he put in some amazing dances through the season, but you and I, our reaction, you could tell how gutted we were.
“Gorka has had all my stress, all my nerves. Week one, I hid on the fire escape saying I didn't want to do it and now we got two standing ovations – that's our trophy, mate,” she concluded.
Strictly Come Dancing's returns on BBC One next year, while spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two will air on weeknights next year on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.
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