Professional dancer Gorka Marquez has addressed his future on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing following a tumultuous few months for the dance show.
Following complaints raised by 2023 contestants Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott, Marquez has seen fellow dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima booted from the show.
After Abbington complained of Pernice's alleged "threatening and abusive" behaviour in the rehearsal room, the BBC also launched an investigation into the conduct of its Strictly pros.
This year's series will also see the introduction of new welfare measures, including chaperones, as the BBC show attempts to ensure a saga of this kind won't happen again.
Pernice - who has vehemently denied all claims of abusive behaviour - has since landed a role on the Italian version of the dance competition.
He's also received public displays of support from a handful of Strictly stars amid the saga, including Debbie McGee, Katya Jones and Carlos Gu.
Gorka Marquez joined Giovanni Pernice and Anton du Beke on their BBC travel show earlier this year
BBC
And it appears there's no bad blood between Marquez and Pernice either, with the pair still following one another on Instagram.
Marquez also took time out of his work schedule last year to film scenes with Pernice and Strictly judge Anton du Beke for their BBC travel show.
The Spanish dancer, who is engaged to former contestant Gemma Atkinson, hasn't publicly addressed his pal's exit from the BBC competition but now he's confessed what he "hopes" for his place on the programme.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of Saturday's launch show, Marquez was asked where he wants to be in 20 years given that Strictly is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Gorka Marquez and Nikita Kanda competed on the 2023 series of Strictly
BBC
"I don't know but I do hope I am still here in 20 years' time," Marquez confessed, throwing his support behind the BBC Saturday night staple.
"I will be 53 but hopefully I’ll still be here," he admitted.
He went on to brand being part of Strictly as "a privilege" before explaining: "It’s the dream of any professional dancer to be on the biggest TV show on telly but also to be celebrating 20 years doesn’t happen very often.
"It’s incredible to be celebrating a show that has been running successfully for 20 years with so many memorable moments.
"To be part of something that has touched so many lives is incredible. I'm very excited to celebrate it."
It isn't just Marquez who holds a close bond with Pernice since his axe as fiancée Atkinson has also shown her support for the Italian dancer in recent weeks.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Gorka Maruqez still keeps up to date with Giovanni Pernice on social media
Atkinson regularly likes Pernice's social media activity, including a recent birthday post which also caught the eye of some of the current BBC Strictly pro line-up.
Marquez's other half also urged Pernice to "enjoy" his latest break abroad after the Italian dancer shared a series of sun-soaked snaps on-board a boat.
Despite their bond, it sounds like Marquez has no plans to follow Pernice out the exit door as he targets another two decades as part of the Strictly furniture.
