Which Strictly pros are competing this year after Gorka Márquez news devastates fans?

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left devastated after Gorka Márquez’s announcement that he will not be partnered with a celebrity for the upcoming 2025 series.

The popular reality series has been plagued by scandals in recent years after Giovanni Pernice, 34, found himself at the heart of a bullying scandal following a series of allegations made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington.

Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima, 30, also left Strictly after allegations of ‘physical incidents’ during his training with Zara McDermott, 28.

Now, Spanish dancer Márquez has revealed he will be unable to compete despite being previously being part of the official line up back in April.

He said he will be able to take part in the first few weeks of Strictly but will then have to leave in October.

To find out more about this series, Metro has taken a deeper look at Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 pros

Fans can expect to see their favourite professional dancers return for the upcoming series.

But replacing the outgoing Di Prima and Pernice will be Alexis Warr and Julian Caillonwhen the show returns this autumn.

Warr, 25, is best known for winning the US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022.

She also became the first female ballroom and Latin dancer to be crowned America’s Favourite Dancer.

It isn’t her first shimmy with Strictly as the dancer appeared on the US version of the show as a guest professional dancer, and has also appeared on Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent, and World of Dance.

Speaking about joining the show, Warr said she has ‘admired Strictly for years.’

‘Joining this incredible family is such an honour,’ she continued. ‘I can’t wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.’

Caillon appeared on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars and also starred in So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Alongside his dance career, he has also worked as a personal trainer and exercise physiologist.

He said that joining the show was ‘a dream come true.’

‘I’ve watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who’ve been part of it,’ he said in a statement. I can’t wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!’

Why is Gorka Márquez not competing?

Marquez, who has become one of the most loved professionals on the show, will not be able to compete despite being previously announced as part of the official line up back in April.

The dancer revealed he will be totally absent for up to four weeks as the show is set to launch in September because he is appearing as a judge on the Spanish version of the competition, Bailando Con Las Estrellas, in October.

The 34-year-old said he will remain a part of the weekly ensemble routine, performed by all of the professionals, in the first few episodes.

However, he will then be leaving to film in Spain before returning to the weekly dance group in the final stretch.

Taking to X, Marquez wrote: ‘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.’

Discussing Alexis and Callion, Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: ‘We’ve been big fans of Alexis and Julian for some time so it’s with great excitement that we now welcome them both to the Strictly family.

‘They’re two incredible dancers with bright futures ahead of them, and we know viewers are going to love getting to know them both.’

Additionally, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment, said the duo were ‘perfect additions’ to the cast.

‘Alexis and Julian are the perfect additions to Strictly, and we can’t wait for you to see them light up the ballroom this autumn,’ she said.

‘With our fantastic professional dancers plus everything else we love about Strictly, the new series promises to be bigger, better and even more glitter-packed than ever before.’

This original article was published on July 27 2025.

Strictly Come Dancing will be available to watch on BBC from September.

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