Veteran professional dancer Gorka Márquez will not participate in the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing series, leaving fans devastated by his unexpected absence from the competition lineup. The BBC has not provided an official explanation for his exclusion, which marks a significant departure given his established reputation and previous high-profile partnerships with celebrities including Alexandra Burke and Maisie Smith. The 2025 professional roster will instead feature newcomers Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon alongside returning dancers, while widespread speculation continues regarding the circumstances surrounding this disappointing development.
Gorka Márquez, a veteran professional dancer who has captivated audiences since joining Strictly Come Dancing, will not participate in the 2025 series competitive line-up, marking a significant absence that has generated widespread disappointment among devoted fans and colleagues.
Beloved Strictly professional Gorka Márquez will miss the 2025 competitive series, leaving fans devastated by his unexpected absence.
The much-loved professional, who has been characterized as a staple of previous series, finds himself without a celebrity pairing for the upcoming season despite the show’s continuation with both returning favorites and new additions to the professional roster.
The 2025 professional line-up introduces two newcomers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, while retaining established dancers including Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, and Karen Hauer. This roster adjustment significantly highlights Márquez’s exclusion, as no official reason has been provided for his absence from competitive pairings, nor has any indication emerged regarding potential group dance or special non-competitive roles for the seasoned performer.
Media coverage has emphasized Márquez’s positive presence and significant impact during previous seasons, with headlines describing his absence as heartbreaking for audiences who have developed strong affinity for his engaging teaching style and creative choreography.
Social media platforms and fan forums reflect widespread disappointment, with supporters speculating about the circumstances surrounding his non-participation while discussions intensify regarding the criteria for professional pairing and rotation decisions.
Throughout his tenure, Márquez has distinguished himself through high-profile celebrity partnerships, advancing numerous contestants far into the competition while consistently ranking as a fan favorite in audience polls and social media commentary. His most notable achievements include reaching the finals with Alexandra Burke and Maisie Smith, demonstrating his exceptional ability to guide celebrities to the show’s most prestigious stage.
His contributions to memorable series performances, group numbers, and special features have solidified his reputation within the Strictly Come Dancing framework.
The absence occurs without connection to public controversy or misconduct, following precedent from past seasons where professional dancers have taken breaks for personal or professional reasons, contract negotiations, or creative decisions.
While the 2025 series features seven couples for the Live UK Tour, the rotational system and cast size considerations impact certain professionals’ opportunities each year, though Márquez’s exclusion represents a particularly significant gap in the show’s professional cast rapport and established routines. The 30 performances will be hosted by Janette Manrara across major UK cities from January to February 2025.
