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Gorka Marquez

It's Gorka the corker!

Fact title Fact data
Age
33
Partner

First joining the Strictly family back in 2016, Gorka's debut was cut short as he only made it to Week Three with EastEnders star Tameka Empson. But his luck changed in 2017, seeing him soar through to the Final with singer Alexandra Burke.

In 2018 Gorka was paired with TV presenter and charity campaigner Katie Piper, but the duo bowed out in Week Four of the competition. The following year, Gorka took time out of partnering and starred in our fabulous Pro dances instead.

2020 saw his luck change yet again as he went all the way to his second ever Final with actress Maisie Smith! However, he was second out in 2021 with Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, and made it all the way to the final with TV presenter Helen Skelton, but narrowly missing.

He returns for 2023 with BBC Asian Network Radio Host Nikita Kanda.

Background

Starting dance lessons at the age of 12, it didn’t take long for Gorka to become one of the top movers in his native Spain. He represented the country in the World Latin Championships in 2010 and reached the semi-finals of the 2012 WDSF World Cup.

In 2014, Gorka took a lead role in the global dance phenomenon Burn The Floor - a job which saw him tour the globe.