We chat romance rumours with Strictly Come Dancing hunks Gorka Marquez, Brendan Cole and AJ Pritchard — and the infamous Strictly Curse
PHEW, it’s getting hot in here! Spanish hunk Gorka Marquez, 27, reveals he'd love to have a girlfriend who isn't a dancer.
He joins Brendan Cole, 41, and AJ Pritchard, 23, to chat about the latest hit series of the show — and who wears the most fake tan.
Gorka Marquez, 27
Who are your mates on the show?
We’re all very close and hang out together, but I think because of age, Giovanni, Alja‑ and Kevin.
Do you hang out socially with your celeb partner Alexandra Burke?
I would love to, but there isn’t time! We practise for 10 hours some days and then have events, It Takes Two or VTs, so by the time we finish we’re exhausted. We’ve been saying for weeks: “We’ll go for dinner after rehearsal,” and then we just want to go home and sleep.
Can you see yourself becoming a Strictly veteran like Brendan?
Of course! Last year I was a newbie, but this year I feel more confident with everything around me. It’s the best show in the world dancing-wise.
We have to ask – what’s happening with you and Gemma Atkinson?
We’re friends, like I’m friends with everyone. Sometimes we hit the gym together. We get on well, but I get on well with the other pros and celebs, too. We’re nothing more than friends.
Have you been on any dates together?
No dates, no romance, nothing intimate. We’re just friends, I promise.
Why do you think so many couples do get together on Strictly?
Because they spend so much time together. But you can be working in a gym and meet a person there. The only difference is Strictly is watched by 12million people and in the gym it’s no one.
Is it important to you that a girlfriend can dance?
I’d like to have a girlfriend who isn’t a dancer. I spend so many hours dancing, and I had a partner for four years where we were both dancers.
I’d rather go home and talk about something else, so if she’s from another occupation, I think it’s more interesting.
I love fitness, so for example, a personal trainer or model.
Brendan Cole, 41
You’ve been on Strictly for 13 years. Are you coming back next year?
Let’s see if the BBC want me back and I’ll see what I’m doing at the time.
When Charlotte [Hawkins, Brendan’s celeb partner] and I got kicked out, I said something that people took as a leaving speech.
But every single year is a new contract, so I’ll see if they want me.
Is the Strictly Curse a thing?
It’s definitely a thing. You can’t deny it after all these years of seeing different people falling in love. It’s a great curse. I love the curse. It’s the nature of the beast that if you work closely with somebody, love is going to blossom, and hopefully the people involved are single. Every year you’re guaranteed some smoke somewhere.
You didn’t get on with all your previous partners. Is there anything you regret saying to them?
I’ve regretted a few things I said in the early days, but I was a bit more “peacock” then, trying to make my mark on the show. Nowadays, I tend not to make stupid comments where it’s going to come back and bite me.
Are you referring to anything in particular?
I wouldn’t want to bring it up, but I said a couple of horrible things back in the day, and I went too far.
Of your previous partners, who would you ignore, go for dinner with and go on holiday with?
I’d ignore half of them, go for dinner with a quarter of them and go on holiday with a quarter of them. Charlotte would go at the top – she’s one of my favourite partners. Likewise with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Lisa Snowdon, Kelly Brook, Victoria Pendleton and Kirsty Gallacher.
Would it have been a disaster if Anton du Beke had become the new judge?
No, it would have been great. I would have been disappointed not to have got it instead of him, but I think we’re both disappointed. Shirley Ballas is making her mark. She’s a bit Marmite – some people love her and some people really hate her.
Do you think she’s doing a good job?
[Smiles cheekily] I think the BBC are happy with what she’s doing.
You’re going to be a dad for the second time next year. Are you excited?
Yes! The baby is due mid-March.
Does Strictly mean long spells away from your wife Zoe and daughter Aurelia, four?
Yeah, I’m not home a lot. It’s a little easier when the tour’s on. My daughter’s amazing. My wife is amazing and hopefully they think I’m amazing.
Which has been your favourite series?
Sophie [in 2013] was great. We went right to the final, so it was particularly good for me. And series one.
Where you won with Natasha Kaplinsky…
But it was marred with turmoil [Brendan and Natasha were said to be in a relationship, which caused the end of his engagement to dancer Camilla Dallerup].
It was a funny one. It was new, and no one knew what to expect, and life was a bit upside-down back then. I’m glad it was, because otherwise I wouldn’t be where I am today.
What will you do when the show ends?
I’ve been doing my own theatre tour for eight years, and I’ll continue doing that as long as I can. But I’m hoping that after 15 years in the business there is some sort
of television career ahead.
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AJ Pritchard, 23
You’re the youngest Strictly pro. Do you feel like the baby?
It puts me under a little bit more pressure because I feel like everyone’s thinking: “Can he do it?” But I love pressure, so I’m having a great time!
Were you nervous when you first joined the show last year?
Not one bit. I used to do extreme sports – quad biking, snowboarding, anything fast – and the adrenalin buzz you get from dancing in front of a live audience tops it by far. I’m an adrenalin junkie.
Who’s your favourite judge?
I do love Shirley Ballas. Technically, she knows exactly what she wants to see, and if she doesn’t see it she’ll be telling you.
How do you wind down after the show?
You can’t just go to bed. Usually we go to the bar and have a couple of drinks to relax. I love a double Disaronno and Coke – that’s my favourite. And a cheeky shot of tequila to start the night. But no, not before the show!
Where’s the weirdest place you’ve been recognised?
In the gents’ toilets. A guy said: “I recognise you… Can we do a quick video message?”
I suggested we went out of the toilets first. Bit awkward. Apart from anything, the lighting’s never good for a selfie!
Who wears the most fake tan?
Kevin Clifton loves a spray tan. He even has his legs done. I wouldn’t say I was super-vain, but I do like to see myself in a reflection, whether that’s a mirror or just a car window. Mollie [King, AJ’s celeb partner] knows a lot about that.
Can you name any of The Saturdays’ songs?
I can name lots of Mollie’s songs, like Hair Down and Back To You. But Saturdays songs… I saw the videos, but the music wasn’t my guilty pleasure.
Are you in a relationship?
So who would you like to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?
Good question. Someone gorgeous. There’s lots of gorgeous people on the show this year, that’s for sure.
Watch Strictly Come Dancing, tonight, 7.15pm and Saturday, 6.30pm, BBC1
- Grooming: Charlie Duffy at Carol Hayes Management using Mac
- Styling: Fiona Downie at Frank Agency
- Stylist’s assistant: Hannah Prue
- Gorka wears: jacket, Gorka’s own; jeans, River Island; belt, New Look
- Brendan wears: jacket, New Look; vest, Marks & Spencer; jeans, River Island
- AJ wears: jacket, Topman; jeans, River Island