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Leeds Live
Entertainment
Alex Evans

Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez split up for Strictly live tour as Kai Widdrington forced to step in

Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez have split up for the Strictly Come Dancing live tour in a devastating blow for fans hoping to see the pair perform together.

Gorka Marquez won't be making an appearance on the live tour when it kicks off on January 20.

Unfortunately, her pro partner has not been announced as part of the lineup and instead, Helen Skelton has been re-coupled with another pro partner.

Read More: Strictly fans make cruel observation about Nicola Roberts' face after Giovanni Pernice remark

It's fair to say Gorka Marquez was absolutely devastated during the Strictly final as he and Helen Skelton narrowly lost out to series winners Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.

It was Gorka's third time in the final and the third time he has walked away empty handed.

Helen Skelton will instead be coupled up with Kai Widdrington for the live arena shows. Kai, who is currently dating blonde bombshell Nadiya Bychkova, had been dancing with Kaye Adams on the 2022 series.

Helen and Gorka lost out in the final (BBC)

Announcing the news, Helen Skelton said: "Strictly has been the adventure of a lifetime and I'm so happy that it will continue next year on the live tour

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the fans across the country and performing my favourite dances from the series.

"I can't wait!"

Fleur East and Hamza Yassin will join pros Vito Coppola and Jowita for their normal pairings, while Molly Rainford is with Carlos Gu, and Will Mellor will team up with Nancy Xu too.

Kai Widdrington will step in to partner Helen Skelton (BBC)

Tyler West and Dianne Buswell will also appear alongside Ellie and Nikita as well as It Takes Two spinoff host Janette Manrara.

Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, making his debut on the leg of gigs, will also be present.

Leeds' First Direct Arena as well as the AO in Manchester and Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, and Nottingham are all on the tour dates.

Meanwhile, the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will be broadcast on Christmas Day on BBC1.

Read next:

  • Helen Skelton sends message to her ex with final dance
  • Hamza Yassin cries and apologises after error strewn final
  • Strictly judges scores complaints as fans demand change after Tess Daly announcement
  • I've watched every single Strictly episode and 3 things need changing
  • Strictly final winner complaints as 'worst couple' Hamza and Jowita win
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