Gorka Marquez says he's 'in pain' from dancing eight hours a day and says 'my back is in bits' after confirming he has quit Strictly after 10 years

Gorka Marquez has revealed he is 'in pain' from dance rehearsals after announcing his decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing after 10 years on the BBC show.

The professional dancer, 35, revealed he is finding dancing eight hours a day tough and compared it to an ultra marathon as he embarks on the Strictly Pro Tour.

Gorka, who is engaged to his former Strictly partner Gemma Atkinson, discussed his struggles on the new episode of their podcast, Lost In Translation.

The Spanish star admitted his 'back is in bits' following the gruelling rehearsals for the tour, which begins in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, on Wednesday. 

He explained to Gemma: 'It's not hard to dance, it's fine to dance - but it's hard to do eight hours a day dancing. There's a difference.

'Running is not bad for you, running ultra marathons is horrible for you. Running 5K for you is not bad.

'Dancing for fun, it's amazing for everybody. For your brain, for your body.

'Dancing from nine in the morning until 10 at night, full out, it's painful. I love it. It's bl**dy painful, my back is in bits. But I love it, I love to tour.'

Gorka's admission about his painful training regime comes soon after he confirmed his permanent departure from Strictly Come Dancing – putting an end to ongoing uncertainty regarding his future on the show.

Gorka is the latest high profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year's bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year. 

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, he wrote: 'After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.

'I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything. 

'Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends.

'For that, I will forever be thankful. 

'Although I’m stepping away from the dance floor, I can’t wait to dance on the Strictly Pro Tour starting this week and continue being part of this incredible family.

'Now it’s time to take a step back, enjoy the sidelines… and hopefully hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way

'Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey. Keep dancing.'  

Gorka's departure from Strictly follows the news that fellow professionals Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Michelle Tsiakkas will no longer be part of the show either.

Their replacements have yet to be announced, and Strictly bosses have still not announced who will be the new hosts of the programme following the departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after the 2025 Christmas Special.

The dancer previously took a short break from the show after signing up for a three week stint as a judge on the show's Spanish version, Bailando Con Las Estrellas, in 2025. 

A schedule clash with Strictly Come Dancing resulted in Gorka appearing as part of the ensemble for the first seven weeks before travelling to Spain for a month, returning to the BBC show for its eleventh week.

Gorka met his British fiancé Gemma Atkinson on the show in 2017 and has been in three finals during his decade on Strictly. The couple have a successful podcast together – and two young children.   

Producers are said to want a 'fresh start' for the BBC One show, with new presenters to be announced soon after long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman decided it was time for them to go. 

It's understood that those with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience. 

One example appears to be axed Nadiya Bychkova, 36, who boasts 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, also 36, with 966,000 followers has kept her place in the line-up.

Karen Hauer, who was Strictly's longest-serving female dancer, is a similar story with her 9,000 followers while safe newcomer Alexis Warr, 25, has a whopping 190,000.

A source said: 'Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers.

'Social media is a massive part of broadening that appeal, and TikTok is the perfect medium for a show where music and dance is at the forefront.

'They won't simply lose someone from the line up because they aren't big on TikTok, but it might just be the thing that saves them from exiting the line-up.'

Meanwhile Fleur East and Janette Manrara have also reportedly been axed from Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off It Takes Two. 

Insiders say bosses are plotting a major revamp of the BBC Two weeknight show in the wake of a string of scandals that have rocked the franchise.

Former Strictly pro Janette, 42, took over hosting duties in 2021 after eight years on the main show, while pop star Fleur, 38, joined the line-up in 2023 after reaching the final the year before.

But now both stars are said to be in the firing line as executives push for a bold new direction.

'Fans will be stunned that this bloodbath is continuing, but bosses are determined to overhaul the show completely,' an industry source told The Sun.

'Nobody feels safe right now and there's a real drive behind the scenes to usher in a fresh era after all the recent drama.

'But the priority is a clean slate by September and putting distance between the show and the controversies of recent years.

Strictly has been hit by a string of scandals including claims of drug taking and abusive behaviour towards contestants by pro dancers. 

Pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima both left the show, with Graziano going after allegations that he had stamped on his partner Zara McDermott. Pernice was investigated by the BBC over bullying allegations made by his partner Amanda Abbington, some of which were upheld.

There is no suggestion that any of the pros going as part of the Strictly refresh in the wake of the departure of Winkleman and Daly have been involved in any wrongdoing.

The BBC said: 'Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.'