Gorka Márquez opens up on the pain of nonstop dancing after Strictly exit
Gorka Márquez opens up on the pain of nonstop dancing after Strictly exit
Gorka Márquez reveals the toll of constant dancing after leaving Strictly Come Dancing, saying it’s time to take a step back.
Gorka Márquez has opened up about the physical toll of non-stop dancing following his exit from Strictly Come Dancing after a decade with the BBC show. On Tuesday, 28 April, Márquez announced he would be leaving Strictly Come Dancing after ten years, telling fans he was grateful for the journey but that it was now time to take a step back. Speaking on his Lost in Translation podcast with partner Gemma Atkinson, whom he first met on the show in 2017, Márquez detailed the wear and tear of a demanding schedule. “Dancing from nine in the morning to 10 in the night. Full out. It’s painful,” he said on Wednesday, 29 April, adding that his feet and back were sore. The admission sheds light on the often unseen physical costs faced by pro dancers during a high-pressure TV run. Márquez’s departure comes amid a broader shake-up on the show, with several professional dancers leaving as the team reconfigures. While he expressed gratitude to Strictly for the experiences and opportunities, he made clear that stepping back is a personal decision driven by the need for rest and balance. Fans have expressed support for the longtime pro as he shifts focus to other projects, underscoring the human side of a career built on demanding rehearsal hours and public performance. This candid reflection from Márquez adds a personal dimension to the ongoing conversations around the realities behind televised dance competition culture.
