BBC Strictly Come Dancing 'exit sealed' for another pro as Gorka Marquez pulls out

Strictly Come Dancing fans reckon they've sussed out which pro dancer will be next to sit out, hot on the heels of Gorka Marquez's departure announcement.

The sparkling BBC One spectacle is all set for its 23rd series return later this year, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman once again steering the ship. It's safe to say that Strictly will sport a fresh look this time around.

In April, the Beeb unveiled the professional dancer roster for the upcoming series, introducing two new faces to the dance floor.

Julian Caillon, a ballroom sensation from Down Under, and Alexis Warr, the reigning champion of America's So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, are poised to make their Strictly debut.

Yet, in a heartbreaking twist for fans, this week saw fan-favourite Gorka Marquez reveal he won't be paired with a celebrity this season as he's off to judge the Spanish edition of the contest starting in September, reports Edinburgh Live.

Since his arrival in 2016, the 34 year old has been an integral part of Strictly's fabric. Despite stepping back, Gorka is expected to make a comeback for the series finale later in the year.

Now, the rumour mill is churning among fans as they speculate over who else might find themselves sidelined in the forthcoming Strictly series.

On X, a user speculated: "With Gorka being the first confirmed pro to be benched this year. Which other 4 pros do you think will miss out on getting a celebrity this year?".

Fans were quick to voice their opinions, and one professional dancer's name repeatedly cropped up: Neil Jones. One viewer commented: "Both Neil and Aljaz benched for me". Echoing the sentiment, another added: "Neil probably."

Someone else suggested: "Karen, Neil, maybe the two new pros".

Neil made his Strictly debut in 2016, and throughout his time on the show, he has danced with celebrities including Alex Scott and Nina Wadia. In the 2024 series, he was paired with Toyah Wilcox, where they finished in 14th place.