Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez may have only left the show earlier this year, but he is already hoping to make a comeback14:13, 07 Sep 2026Updated 14:16, 07 Sep 2026Gorka Marquez turned his back on Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year after 10 years on the dance floor — but this may not be the last we see of him on the show. The 36-year-old has revealed that he would love to return to the BBC series at some point, but in a more relaxed role.‌Asked if he could follow in the footsteps of his former co-star Aljaz Skorjanec, who quit the show in 2022 before returning two years later, Gorka said: “Who knows, maybe I come back one day as a judge. Maybe it’s time to have a Spanish judge on Strictly.‌“I have the Spanish flavour. You remember how Bruno [Tonioli] used to be the Italian judge, so I could be the Spanish one now," he added.‌Gorka announced in April that he would be leaving the show after a decade on the series. In an emotional statement, shared on his Instagram, he told fans he felt the timing was right to focus on new projects — including a role as a panellist on Spain’s version of Dancing with the Stars.He will also be returning to the stage in a new Christmas-themed live show, Xmas on the Dancefloor, which launches at Blackpool Opera House on 5 December before touring 12 venues, reports Express.‌The production promises a mix of ballroom and Latin dancing alongside commercial and contemporary routines, backed by live vocals and famous festive tracks.“It’s a celebration of Christmas,” he said. “From Mariah Carey to Michael Bublé to Feliz Navidad. I want to bring some Spanish songs that I grew up listening to in Spain too.”Gorka added that the new show will be more interactive than his previous tours, with more audience chat alongside the dancing — all aimed at getting families into the Christmas spirit.‌While his schedule remains packed, he insisted he will make time to watch the new series of Strictly — in what will be the show's biggest shake-up since it began in 2004.Following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, three new presenters will front the show: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.‌The cast has also welcomed five new professional dancers following the departure of several previous stars.What has stayed the same, however, are the four judges this year's celebrities will be hoping to impress — Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.The celebrities taking part this year are Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Dame Sarah Storey, Will Best, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Laurence Robb, Tabby Stoecker and John Nellis.Article continues belowThe new series of Strictly Come Dancing kicks off on September 19th at 7.25pm on BBC One. More information about Gorka's dance show can be found here.