Gorka Márquez won't quit 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
Gorka Márquez won't quit Strictly Come Dancing
Although their had been speculation that the popular professional dancer would quit the BBC show, it has now been revealed that Gorka, 32, has no plans to leave.
A source told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: "There was no ill feeling between him and the bosses of 'Strictly', he simply felt like he’d been with the show for a long time and had never enjoyed a victory.
"So he’s spent the last four months mulling over his future and, despite the disappointment of defeat last year, is still in love with the show.
“Unlike other stars on the programme, he didn’t feel the need to have a drawn-out wrangle with the BBC over pay, and they offered him a deal which he was happy with.
“Unlike other pros who’ve left 'Strictly' prematurely and not enjoyed the success they’d hoped for, Gorka realises how fortunate he is to be on the biggest show on TV, along with the lucrative spin-off work that comes with it.”
Gorka has been a runner-up three times since joining the show in 2016.
In 2017, he placed second with singer Alexandra Burke, in 2020 he and 'EastEnders' star Maisie Smith narrowly lost out and last year, he and presenter Helen Skelton missed out on first place.
Meanwhile, Gorka's partner Gemma Atkinson revealed in January that the couple are expecting their second child.
They already have daughter Mia, three, together.
They met when the actress competed on 'Strictly' in 2017, and got engaged in February 2021.