Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has said it is “just sad for everybody” when someone leaves the line-up, in the wake of Giovanni Pernice’s exit. The Italian dancer, 33, has been part of the BBC One celebrity dancing show since 2015, when he reached the grand final with Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote. But the BBC did not announce him in its line-up of professional dancers for 2024, after claims of abusive or threatening behaviour, which he has strongly rejected.
Marquez, who is now the longest serving male professional dancer in the line-up, compared his departure with that of other veterans, including Aljaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse. He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I think it’s like when Aljaz left or Oti left, or when Anton (Du Beke) decided to go to the judge role. “Everybody’s missed, everybody’s a big part of the show, so when someone decides to leave or change careers, it’s just sad for everybody.
” Asked if he is still in touch with Pernice, Marquez said: “Sometimes we speak. He’s so busy, I’m busy, he’s on tour at the moment with Anton.” The show will mark its 20th year on air this year, and professional dancer Karen Hauer, who is the longest-serving female professional, said: “Without the public, we wouldn’t be here.
The fans absolutely love the show, it’s an institution. “I always say it’s like a warm blanket, you always feel at home and you always feel safe.” She added: “It’s definitely given u.