Now he's back for the 2018 instalment and is partnered with model, campaigner and presenter Katie Piper.
Who is Gorka Marquez, how old is he and what's his background?
Born in the industrial Spanish city on September 4, 1990, Gorka began dancing at the age of 12 and within a few years he was picked to represent Spain in the World Latin Championships in 2010.
Two years later he reached the semi-finals of the World Dance Sport Federation World Cup.
In 2014, Gorka joined the acclaimed Latin and ballroom dance troupe Burn the Floor, an international dancing phenomenon that was formed in 1995.
Strictly Come Dancing is his first major TV appearance.
When did Gorka Marquez join Strictly and who has he danced with?
In 2016, Gorka joined the BBC One celebrity dance show Strictly Come Dancing and was paired with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson.
He and Tameka became the second couple to leave the show after they were eliminated in the third week but two weeks later Gorka was brought back to the show to dance with singer Anastacia after her partner Brendan Cole fell ill.
He and Anastacia were eliminated in week six but Gorka continued to appear in the group dances.
Gorka is currently partnered with Alexandra Burke for the new series.
During the early stages of Strictly Come Dancing, he was linked to Gemma Atkinson and the rumours refused to go away despite Gemma's repeated denials.
But after months and months of speculation, the pair confirmed they were an item when Gemma posted a loved-up snap of them on a Valentine's Day holiday together.
Sharing a snap of her resting her head on his shoulder as they sat on the beach on holiday on Instagram, she wrote: "Here’s to many more kid. Happy Valentines Day ?@gorka_marquez."
When was Gorka assaulted?
Gorka was set upon by a gang of youths just hours after he appeared on the live Blackpool week of Strictly 2016.
He had two teeth smashed out in the assault, which took place as he walked to a nightclub with friends and fellow Strictly professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones, and had to undergo emergency dental surgery.
Ever the professional, he returned to the show in order to perform in the group routines for the rest of the series.
When is Strictly on BBC One?
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