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STRICTLY Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez was "broken" after practising this week's quickstep with partner Maisie Smith - TWENTY times in a row.

The 30-year-old Strictly dancer collapsed on the floor following the gruelling rehearsal session with the soap star on Thursday.

Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez lay on the floor during rehearsals with partner Maisie Smith
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Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez lay on the floor during rehearsals with partner Maisie SmithCredit: Instagram

The pressure is on for the dancing duo, who have found themselves in the dreaded dance off twice.

But it appears the pair are working harder than ever as they practised their upcoming routine twenty times in a row.

EastEnders star Maisie, 19, shared a snap of Gorka as he lay on the studio floor.

The Spanish star appeared worn out, with his arms sprawled out at either side.

The professional dancer appeared completely worn out
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The professional dancer appeared completely worn outCredit: Instagram
Gorka filmed the pair during the sweaty rehearsal session
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Gorka filmed the pair during the sweaty rehearsal sessionCredit: Instagram
The dancing duo rehearsed their quickstep twenty times in a row
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The dancing duo rehearsed their quickstep twenty times in a rowCredit: Instagram

Alongside the post, Maisie wrote: "Think I've broken him."

Meanwhile, Gorka posted a shot of the two collapsed on a bench and wrote: "@maisiesmithofficial shall we do it one last time...?

"20 Runs through later..."

Earlier this week, Gorka's girlfriend Gemma Atkinson defended Maisie after trolls abused her for being "too confident".

Maisie and Gorka ended up in the bottom two again
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Maisie and Gorka ended up in the bottom two againCredit: Instagram
Gorka's girlfriend Gemma recently defended the pair
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Gorka's girlfriend Gemma recently defended the pair Credit: Instagram
The pressure is on for Gorka and Maisie this Saturday
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The pressure is on for Gorka and Maisie this Saturday

Despite her sizzling performances, the actress has had to dance for survival twice, leaving her teary and doubting herself.

Fans of Maisie have accused her detractors of disliking "confident women" and now Gemma has told her followers to embrace confidence and ignore jealously online.

On her Instagram story, Gemma said: "To the younger generation watching Strictly.

"Never ever dumb down your talent or ability or enthusiasm just to please a load of jealous people on the Internet. The most important thing a girl wears is her confidence."

Maisie has spoken about her fear of being thought of as arrogant - saying it's simply her nerves showing.

She told : "People have said they can't warm to me on Strictly, but I'm so nervous and that can be interpreted as arrogance.

"I'll either go quiet, or I'll go over the top to put on a confident front. It's hard to not let it affect you. I do have to genuinely remind myself to just trust myself. And be me."

Maisie was saved by judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke, while actress Caroline Quentin was sent home.

Strictly shock as Maisie Smith almost falls during backflipping salsa after landing in the bottom two
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