Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Márquez has shared he won't be competing with a partner in this year's series, leaving fans disappointed.
Ahead of this year's series of the beloved BBC show, the popular dancer revealed the news and that he would be taking on a different role but still appearing in group dances on the show, leaving fans "gutted".
Márquez, 34, shared a snap of himself smiling and captioned the Instagram post: "I am Happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September.
"Due to the filming dates this means that I won’t be competing with a partner this year in Strictly but I will be a part of lots of the group numbers and will be back for final weeks of the Show to support the rest of my fellow pros and their celebrities in what is going to be an AMAZING SERIES."
Gorka Marquez has revealed he won't be taking part in this year's Strictly
| GettyHe concluded the post: "As always thank you for all The love and support, and remember! Keep dancing!!!"
Bailando con las estrellas is the Spanish version of the BBC show, and his appointment as judge will have come as career boost to the dancer, with former professional Anton Du Beke having become a judge on Strictly in 2021.
While fans were happy for him though, many expressed disappointment that he won't be competing in this year's show.
Taking to the comments, one wrote: "Nooooo. whilst I am happy you are a judge in Spain I am sad you are not in the UK Strictly."
"Noooooo! Strictly won't be the same without you! I hope you enjoy every minute of it!" a second shared.
"Congratulations, but GUTTED you won’t be getting a partner," a third penned.
Meanwhile, other Strictly pros and former stars rushed to congratulate Márquez. Nancy Xu wrote: "Congratulations! Siiiiiiiiiii. let's gooooo Georgeeeeee."
Nikita Kuzmin simply shared three heart emojis, while Márquez's wife Gemma Atkinson commented: " Vamos! Very proud."
The latest blow to the show comes as the BBC's long-running competition series faces yet further scandal.
After two years of controversy surrounding misconduct of some dancers, it was claimed by Wynne Evans this week that it is "well-known on the show that two stars took cocaine".
Now, the corporation has brought in external lawyers to investigate. Claims had been submitted to the BBC in March through law firm Russells on behalf of Evans, who was axed from his BBC Radio show over allegations made against him during the Strictly tour in January.
The accusations by Evans also suggest drug use amongst cast members was common knowledge within the programme.
Gorka Márquez is a fan favourite of the series
|Getty
Sources have now told The Sun that the BBC has received multiple reports regarding drug-taking on the hit dance show.
A BBC spokesperson told GB News: "We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us.
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Gorka Márquez will now be judging on the Spanish version of the show
|BBC
"We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further."