Breaking records and borders in the world of professional ballroom dance

Countries & Cities · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Gorka Márquez transformed from a competitive Latin dancer into a household name on British television. By mastering the technical precision of ballroom and the spectacle of live touring, he redefined what it means to be a professional dancer in the modern era.

Márquez began his journey at age 12, quickly ascending the competitive ranks. By 2010, he was representing Spain at the World Latin Championships, and by 2012, he reached the semi-finals of the World DanceSport Federation World Cup. This foundation of high-level competition paved the way for his transition into commercial performance. In 2014, he joined the global touring company Burn the Floor as one of their leads, a role that required performing with the company across the world.

His television career is defined by a prolific tenure on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Since the fourteenth series in 2016, Márquez has appeared in numerous seasons, often reaching the finals. One of his most notable achievements occurred in 2017 during the fifteenth series with Alexandra Burke. During this run, he broke the record for the most tens scored in a single series with 32, surpassing the previous record of 28 held by Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse. This record stood until the twenty-second series in 2024, when it was finally surpassed by Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec with 33 tens.

Márquez has also worked as a judge and entertainer for the Spanish iteration, Bailando con las estrellas, outside of the UK. His international commitments were so significant that in 2025, he did not take a celebrity partner in the UK show due to filming priorities in Spain. His versatility is further evidenced by his participation in the Soccer Aid for UNICEF game in 2025, where he served as a substitute for the Rest of the World team, which defeated the England XI 5–4. He also continues to perform and teach on various dance tours, including Donahey's 2026 Dancing with The Stars Weekends.

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