Gorka Marquez has admitted that he would "love" to join the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel... one day. It comes after the dancer, who made it all the way to the final of the BBC One dance contest in December, had to deny reports that he had quit the much-loved show after six series.
Gorka, 32, was within touching distance of the Glitterball trophy after making it right to the end of the 2022 run with Helen Skelton. The pair impressed week in, week out as Countryfile host Helen blossomed in confidence in front of viewers' eyes with the help of her pro dance partner.
And Strictly viewers flocked to social media after spotting Gorka's 'gutted' reaction to missing out on the Strictly 2022 title after he and Helen went head-to-head with Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał, and Fleur East and Vito Coppola before wildlife cameraman Hamza and Jowita lifted the Glitterball.
Following the final, it was reported that Gorka was going to quit the show after seven years. And while his Hits Radio host fiancee Gemma Atkinson quickly squashed the claims, Gorka took his time and before the new year, on Instagram, Gorka shared a selfie of himself alongside Gemma, 38, and their daughter Mia as they headed off back to his home city in Spain after Christmas.
As one fan said they "couldn’t believe" he had "left Strictly", Gorka responded: "Don’t believe it!" with a winking emoji. It is the first time he has directly addressed claims he was to leave. Later, when asked again about whether he'll be back for the 2023 series, Gorka said: "I HOPE SO!! I LOVE it and [it] is the BEST job a dancer could wish for." He added: "I am grateful to be part of the BEST SHOW ON TV."
But speaking to Hello! magazine, Gorka and his dance partner, and fellow Strictly star, Karen Hauer revealed they would like to follow in the footsteps of Strictly professional-turned-judge Anton Du Beke, with Karen saying: "I would love that 100 percent. Gorka and I with Anton would be perfect."
Gorka, who is set to become a dad again this year after he and Gemma revealed their pregnancy news, added: "I will dance for as long as my body allows it, but I would love to be in the chair like Craig (Revel Horwood) and Anton – and give an opinion."
Having joined Strictly in 2012, Karen is currently the longest-serving dancer on the show, while Gorka joined the professional line-up in 2016. Gorka reflected on the close friendship he and Karen, who are preparing for their next UK tour of Firedance, a passionate dance theatre show, have built since meeting on the show, saying: "We hit it off from day one.
"Karen was one of the first dancers to help and support me. We’re from similar backgrounds, enjoy the same banter and only have to look at each other’s expressions to burst out laughing." While Karen said: "We understand each other’s abilities and strengths. We always try to have fun, too, and the fact that we joke around and don’t take ourselves too seriously means that we work well together."
Gorka, who is engaged to former soap star Gemma, also spoke of his delight at the fact he is expecting his second child, a baby boy, saying: “We’re so blessed. He’ll be a little sibling – and maybe future dance partner – for our daughter Mia. She’s obsessed with dancing, so who knows. That we get the chance to have another baby – we never take that for granted. Life flies, so make the most of every second you have."
The full interview with Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauer is available in Hello! magazine, out now.
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