Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has been assaulted in Blackpool after taking part in the show’s special. The 26-year-old dancer had two of his teeth knocked out when he was attacked by a group of youths in the street. It is thought he was walking to a nightclub with some fellow dancers at the time.
The BBC confirmed that Gorka was "sadly the victim of an unprovoked incident", but said that he would still appear on the next show. A spokesperson added: "He will be back in training this week and is looking forward to the group routine next weekend."
Strictly's Gorka Marquez was assaulted on the streets of Blackpool after filming the show's special
Gorka made his Strictly debut in this year's series, and was partnered with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson. The pair were eliminated in week two of the competition, but Gorka stepped in to partner Anastacia in week five when her partner Brendan Cole was unable to perform.
He took part in Saturday's live show in Blackpool as part of the group routine. Strictly travels to Blackpool once per series for a special episode broadcast from the Winter Gardens Tower Ballroom, considered the home of ballroom dancing.
A friend told the Sun: "Gorka's an incredibly passive guy, he wouldn't hurt a fly. He's so upbeat that he won't let an unprovoked attack from a yob ruin his first Strictly in Blackpool."
Greg Rutherford became their eighth star to leave the competition on Sunday
The news comes after Greg Rutherford became the eighth celebrity to leave the show. The Olympic long jumper and his partner Natalie Lowe were voted off after going head-to-head in a dance-off with gymnast Claudia Fragapane, 19, and AJ Pritchard. "It's horrible, I mean it's something that completely engulfs your life and every aspect – I mean I am training 10 to 12 hours a day – I have been putting all my heart and soul into it," Greg said.
"I would like to think I was getting better and improving but obviously not. It's a very, very tough year this year, there are some exceptional dancers and I knew I was never as good as those guys but I was going to try as hard as I possibly could to get as close as I could. Sadly for me it's finished now. I'm gutted. I spend all my time with Natalie at the moment, we have such a great partnership and such a great friendship that now I know on Monday morning I won't be doing that now and that's difficult."