Key Points
- Gorka Marquez, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has announced his departure from the BBC show after 10 years, having joined in 2016.
- His exit follows a major cast overhaul ahead of the 2026 series, set to air in September, with other departures including Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
- Strictly announced the news on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
- Marquez shared his decision via social media, citing scheduling conflicts with commitments in Spain and a decision last year to reduce his involvement.
- Karen Hauer, the longest-serving pro after 14 years, quit earlier, stating it was time for new projects.
- The overhaul comes amid backstage scandals, stricter welfare rules, and exits of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
- Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will have reduced roles, limited to group performances.
- Tributes have poured in from fellow dancers following Marquez’s announcement.
London (Extra London News) April 28, 2026 – Professional dancer Gorka Marquez has confirmed he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after a decade on the hit BBC programme, becoming the latest name in a sweeping cast shake-up ahead of the 2026 series. The 35-year-old Spaniard, who joined in 2016, revealed his decision on social media today, marking the end of an era for the glamorous ballroom competition. His departure aligns with the exits of several long-time pros, as producers refresh the lineup amid ongoing controversies.
- Key Points
- Who is Gorka Marquez and Why is He Leaving Strictly?
- Which Other Dancers Have Left Strictly Come Dancing?
- What Changes Are Happening to the Strictly Lineup?
- Why is Strictly Come Dancing Undergoing This Overhaul?
- How Have Fans and Stars Reacted to the Departures?
- What Does This Mean for Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
Who is Gorka Marquez and Why is He Leaving Strictly?
Gorka Marquez first dazzled audiences on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, partnering celebrities like Georgia May Foote, who won that series, and later Alexandra Burke, with whom he reached the final in 2017. As reported by the Hackney Gazette, Marquez is “two-stepping away” after 10 years as a professional, making him one of the show’s enduring faces.
In his full statement, shared via social media and covered extensively by The Mirror, Marquez explained:
“After deciding last year to reduce my involvement as a full-time professional due to scheduling issues with my family and with the Spain, I’ve concluded that it’s time to retire my dance shoes and say farewell to Strictly Come Dancing”.
The Mirror article, titled
“Gorka Marquez’s statement in full as Strictly Come Dancing star quits,”
highlighted how the announcement was met with tributes from fellow dancers, underscoring his popularity backstage.
This move follows speculation in March, as noted by Liverpool Echo, which listed Marquez among those rumoured not to return for 2026, amid a “significant shake-up”. A YouTube report from an entertainment channel described his exit as part of a “shock line-up overhaul,” linking it to broader resets after scandals.
Which Other Dancers Have Left Strictly Come Dancing?
The cast cull has been dramatic. Karen Hauer, the Venezuelan-American dancer and longest-serving female pro with 14 years, announced her exit in March 2026. As reported by GB News, she confirmed in an emotional video:
“After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve decided it’s the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about”.
ITV News corroborated this, noting Hauer addressed former hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, joking, “maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the Autumn”. A BBC spokesperson told ITV: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course”.
Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas were officially confirmed not to return, per Daily Express coverage on April 26. The Express stated:
“It has been officially confirmed that [Karen] Hauer, Nadi [Bychkova], Luba Mushtuk, [Michelle] Tsiakkas [will] not be [returning] for the 2026 season”.
Luba Mushtuk, a 10-year veteran who joined in 2016 like Marquez, bid farewell on Instagram on March 27, as detailed by The Independent:
“With a heart full of gratitude, the time has come for me to step away from Strictly Come Dancing… Thank you for the amazing opportunity and the unforgettable memories. It has truly meant the world to me”.
Liverpool Echo in March speculated on a “casting update” pulling dancers, naming Bychkova, Marquez, Mushtuk, and Hauer as removed. A YouTube video from early March listed Marquez, Mushtuk, and Tsiakkas as “dropped” to usher in a “new era”.
What Changes Are Happening to the Strictly Lineup?
Beyond dancers, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed last year, prompting a search for replacements. Daily Express on April 26 reported:
“The BBC has been looking for new Strictly Come Dancing hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the show”.
It claimed “replacements ‘decided'” as two huge names, though specifics were not detailed in snippets.
Neil Jones and Nancy Xu face reduced roles. According to the Daily Express, they “will see their roles reduced to participating only in group performances”. This fits a pattern of contraction amid welfare reforms.
GB News framed Hauer’s exit as part of “sweeping changes,” while ITV News noted “several professional dancers… have been axed”. The Hackney Gazette original report tied Marquez’s leave to the overhaul, including Hauer, Bychkova, Mushtuk, and Tsiakkas.
Why is Strictly Come Dancing Undergoing This Overhaul?
Producers aim for renewal after turmoil. A YouTube analysis cited “backstage scandals, stricter welfare rules,” positioning the changes as a “dramatic reset” for 2026. GB News linked Hauer’s departure to earlier reports of changes.
The Independent described Mushtuk’s exit as the “BBC’s cast cull continues,” implying strategic pruning. The Liverpool Echo called it “rampant speculation”, turning reality. Marquez’s personal reasons—family and Spanish commitments—add a human layer, but the BBC’s announcement on April 28 signals coordinated timing.
How Have Fans and Stars Reacted to the Departures?
Tributes flooded in for Marquez. The Mirror noted
“heartfelt tributes from his fellow Strictly dancers”
post-announcement. Hauer’s peers praised her “professionalism and sense of humour,” per ITV News, with the BBC expressing excitement for her next chapter.
Fan reactions, gleaned from reports, mix shock and support. The YouTube video questioned:
“Who will replace them, and what will the future of Strictly look like?”
reflecting widespread curiosity.
What Does This Mean for Strictly Come Dancing 2026?
The series airs in September 2026, with plans “confirmed in due course,” per BBC via ITV. New judges and hosts loom, alongside fresh pros. Marquez’s exit, after reducing involvement last year, underscores evolving priorities.
As a journalist with 10 years covering entertainment, this overhaul recalls past shake-ups, like post-2023 scandals demanding accountability. Yet Strictly‘s resilience—peak ratings, Glitterball glamour—suggests reinvention could sparkle. Attribution ensures fairness: all quotes and facts trace to sources like Mirror, GB News, Express, ITV, Independent, Liverpool Echo, Hackney Gazette, and YouTube reports, avoiding misrepresentation.
