Gorka Marquez has recognised the impact of Strictly Come Dancing as he dodged questioning about the scrutiny those on the show are facing.
The dancer is currently taking part in the BBC One dance contest alongside Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan. They were riding high as they headed into week four of the competition following their incredible Bollywood-themed routine with Gorka Marquez as they made history with their couple’s choice routine.
Then on Saturday night (October 12), Punam once again gave it everything she has got and she and Gorka danced to 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) by Lizzo.
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Unfortunately, the practising GP and her Spanish dance partner didn’t manage to impress the judges as much as last week after mistakes were spotted, leaving them receiving a total of 20 points out of a possible 40 from the judges.
Reflecting on their most recent performance, Dr Punam told Lorraine Kelly on her self-titled ITV show on Wednesday (October 16): “I am a GP, this is a completely different world to what I’m used to. I’ve never done any performing or anything like that before…
“But I have been watching the show for the last 20 years as a superfan. I’ve sat on the sofa on a Saturday night with my snacks, my cosy pyjamas, my wee gin and tonic and thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to do that,’ never in a million years thinking I would be living out this dream. I’m giving it my best shot every week, that’s all I can do.”
“Last week, it wasn’t my best night but I was talking to my 11-year-old boy about it – he’s obsessed, he’s such a fan and a cheerleader, I’m so lucky – but I said, ‘Look, mummy did make a mistake but mummy carried on and that’s what we have to do!”
It was later into the chat that Lorraine asked Gorka if he’s felt the pressure of there being ‘more scrutiny’ on the show, particularly following the investigation into Amanda Abbington’s complaints about ex-pro Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima’s shock exit.
“People are obsessed by this show so everything you do, it makes headlines as we’ve seen,” Lorraine said, seemingly hinting at the latest controversy surrounding Wynne Evans and Katya Jones’ ‘inside joke’ that sparked a tidal wave of comments on social media.
In response, Gorka said: “This year, maybe everybody is looking at you with closer eyes but I feel like every year is the same. The show is the biggest show in telly entertainment wise and everybody loves the show and wants to see what happens on the show.
“I think us as the dancers and the celebrities, we have a huge impact on everyone who watches it but for me, right now, we should focus on dance – the good thing that the show does. It’s 20 years of the show, we should just celebrate all the good things that Strictly does.”
