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Strictly’s Gorka Marquez forced to pull out of TV show through injury

He was due to strip off on the cancer awareness show

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Gorka Marquez has made a shock exit from the line-up of ITV show The All New Monty 2019: Who Bares Wins.

The Strictly Come Dancing professional was in the original cast for the upcoming fundraiser, but has been replaced by Matt Evers.

The stars of The Full Monty
The new line-up for The All New Monty: Who Bares Wins (Credit: Instagram @kelvin_fletcher)

Read more: EastEnders writer responds to criticism of Jean cancer plot

Sadly, Gorka – who is set to become a dad for the first time this year – has been forced to pull out of the much-anticipated show after injuring his back.

A source told The Sun: “He has aggravated a back injury and has had to pull out.

“He’ll still be in the show but won’t be in the final performance.

“Matt Evers has stepped in to be his replacement.”

The cast practice their moves – fully clothed (Credit: Instagram @themattevers)

Read more: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman vow they will leave Strictly at the same time

The 28-year-old Spanish dancer was due to join Love Island’s Jack Fincham, Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher, I’m A Celeb winner Joe Pasquale, Snooker star Willie Thorne, Crimewatch’s Rav Wilding and former footballer Jason Cundy on the show.

Dancing On Ice star Matt Evers, who was partnered with Gemma Collins this year, has jumped in instead, and admitted he’s the most nervous he’s ever been about getting his kit off onstage – even though it is to raise awareness for testicular cancer.

Ashley Banjo will oversee the dance routine alongside Pointless host Alexander Armstrong, who will take care of the singing for the highly-anticipated evening.

Ashley Banjo will choreograph the routine (Credit: Instagram @themattevers)

In a statement released this week, Ashley said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to be a part of this fantastic series.

“This show has been a life-changing experience for me and hopefully for many other men around the country who have been checked or had conversations about cancer that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

“Every year I plan something I hope will be better than the last, but this time Xander and I really have gone full-out to make this the biggest and best yet!”

The two 90-minute specials – one male, one female – aim to demonstrate the importance of shedding body inhibitions and making checks in intimate areas to prevent cancer.

Last year’s line-up of brave ladies (Credit: ITV)

The ladies version includes legendary tennis icon Martina Navratilova, EastEnders star Laurie Brett, Love Island’s Megan Barton-Hanson, So Solid Crew’s Lisa Maffia, TOWIE’s Danielle Armstrong, and Benidorm’s Crissy Rock.

Meanwhile, Gorka took his mind off his bad back by sending a loved-up message to his pregnant fianceé Gemma Atkinson, who he met on Strictly in 2017.

Alongside a photo of them together, he wrote: “Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you.”

He also revealed that the pair enjoyed a romantic brunch date. Awwww.

But if she’s pregnant, and he’s got an injury, whose turn is it to have a back massage?

Will you be tuning in to watch The All New Monty: Who Bares Wins? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Helen Fear
TV Editor