Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has broken his silence after not being included on the lineup for next year's Strictly tour. The 32-year-old professional dancer was a finalist with Helen Skelton during this year's series, but she will now partner up with Kai Widdrington on the tour.
Whilst Gorka and Helen wowed viewers and the judges at the final, it wasn't enough to win the coveted Strictly Glitterball - That accolade went to Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal. The evening proved to be a night of high emotions for Gorka, who was spotted having a 'bust up' with fellow pro dancer Giovanni Pernice. You can read more about that here.
Fans shouldn't worry though, as following the final Gorka wrote: "The biggest THANK YOU, because without you we wouldn’t be here and your lovely messages of support means the world. Strictly 23 lets go!!! In the mean time Keep dancing!!" - implying that he'll be back for next year's series of the hit BBC dancing show.
Read more: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez shares update after 'fuming face' over final
Anton Du Beke will join fellow TV judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood on the tour dates. Opening at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on 20 January, the toir then heads to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, Leeds’ First Direct Arena, the AO Arena Manchester, Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, London’s O2 Arena, SSE Arena Belfast, culminating at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on February 12. Sadly, the tour is not coming to Wales.
Speaking about the upcoming tour, Du Beke said: "I'm so excited to join my fellow TV judges on the Strictly 2023 tour and have the chance to enjoy all the fun of the live experience with audiences around the UK." Ballas said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the judging panel, and it will be lovely to have Anton with us. It’s always so much fun! The audiences at the arena shows are phenomenal and it’s so nice to get to see everyone and perform for you all – I can’t wait for January when we get the show on the road!”
Revel Horwood said: “I'm thrilled to be back directing and judging the 2023 tour. This tour is going to be bigger and better than ever before – my imagination is running wild! With Anton joining the judging panel, one word, three syllables: FAB-U-LOUS!” You can get more TV news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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