Gorka Marquez won’t be joining Helen Skelton on the Strictly Come Dancing Live! shows (Picture: Guy Leavy/BBC/PA)
Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez has clarified his decision not to take part in this year’s live tour amid speculation about his future.
The 32-year-old dancer won’t be joining celebrity partner Helen Skelton for the live shows after they reached the final of the latest series before losing out to Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.
Responding to questions from fans on Instagram on Thursday night, he explained: ‘After the Strictly series I always like to take some down time to spend quality time with Gem and Mia.
‘I am grateful for the work but I also think spending time with family is important.
‘Time flys and we won’t get these memories back.’
Gorka has three-year-old daughter Mia with his partner Gemma Atkinson, and he wants to make the most of his time when his loved ones.
In another post on Instagram Live, he shared a selfie with Helen and urged everyone to support her as she dancing with Kai Widdrington on the tour.
Gorka has explained his decision (Picture: Instagram/@gorka_marquez)
He encouraged people to still vote for Helen on the tour (Picture: Instagram/@gorka_marquez)
He wrote: ‘Please go and watch Strictly Come Dancing Live, [it’s] going to be amazing!! And make sure you VOTE for Helen and Kai.’
In another post, Gorka hinted he will be back on the BBC’s Latin and ballroom show later this year.
Asked if he was doing the show again, he replied: ‘I HOPE SO!! I LOVE it and it is the BEST job a dancer could wish for. I am grateful to be part of the BEST SHOW ON TV (sic)’
His posts come after Gemma dismissed speculation he was leaving the show after coming so close to winning the Glitter Ball trophy.
Over Christmas, she shared a screenshot of a story about a potential exit and said: ‘Keep being sent this. Wish I hadn’t said to all backstage crew “see you next year” now.
‘Obvs this isn’t true at all! Same as it wasn’t true about Gio last year. Merry Christmas!’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.
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