Gorka Marquez and Helen Skelton narrowly missed out on winning Strictly this year (Picture: PA)
Gorka Marquez has finally addressed the mounting rumours he’s set to leave Strictly Come Dancing, and it’s good news for fans.
The 32-year-old professional dancer joined the show in 2016 and was partnered up with Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton this year.
However, he was reported to have quit the BBC One programme after missing out on winning the latest series to wildlife filmmaker Hamza Yassin.
One fan was particularly distraught by the claims and commented on an Instagram photo of Gorka with fiancee Gemma Atkinson and their daughter Mia: ‘Can’t believe you’ve left Strictly.’
The Spanish dancer reassured the follower: ‘Don’t belive it 😉 [sic].’
It’s the first time that Gorka has addressed the rumours but former Hollyoaks actress Gemma, 38, recently shut it down on his behalf.
Gorka has been a professional dancer on the show for six years (Picture: PA)
Viewers were convinced Gorka looked fuming as Hamza Yassin was announced as the winner (Picture: BBC)
In her Instagram Stories on Saturday, she shared one of the reports and wrote: ‘Keep being sent this. Wish I hadn’t said to all backstage crew “see you next year” now.
‘Obv this isn’t true at all! Same as it wasn’t true about Gio last year. Merry Christmas!’
Strictly viewers were convinced that Gorka was fuming about not winning the series after he was caught on camera failing to smile as Hamza celebrated his win with Jowita Przystal.
Gemma Atkinson spoke out on behalf of her man amid the rumours (Picture: Rex Features)
A source later claimed that Gorka had got the ‘seven-year itch’ and was keen to pursue other projects.
They told The Sun: ‘He looked so devastated last week because he knew the final might be his last chance of taking home the Glitterball, which had eluded him twice before.
‘Gorka has become an established figure in the contest and a name in his own right, which could allow him to go on to bigger things.
‘There’s no suggestion of any bad feeling between him and the BBC.
‘It remains to be seen if producers will now offer him a deal enticing enough to sign up for next year’s show.’
During his six years on Strictly, Gorka has been partnered up with the likes of EastEnders actress Tameka Empson and presenter and activist Katie Piper. He was most notably teamed up with Gemma in 2017, with the two going on to date outside of the series.
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Fans thought the professional dancer looked fuming he didn’t win this series.
