Gorka Márquez was convinced he’d broken his jaw after he heard an "almighty crack" when he was randomly attacked by a group of yobs in Blackpool over the weekend.
The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional feared he’d snapped the structure of his mouth after he was punched in the face repeatedly by a gang while out in the seaside resort with his co-stars Aljaz Skorjanec and Neil Jones after the show wrapped up.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "He thought it was his jaw breaking. The sound was horrific. Thankfully it was just two of his teeth – which can be fixed.
"He took some painkillers and went back to the hotel and to bed. It never crossed his mind to make a formal complaint. He is surprised the level of attention it has got."
The 26-year-old hunk was making his way to Flamingo nightclub in the town on Saturday (19.11.16) when he was pounced on and had two gnashers knocked out.
Gorka has since taken to his Twitter account to give fans an update on his condition and thank them for the support they’ve showered him with since the news broke.
He wrote: "Thanks for all your kind messages about Blackpool. It was a bad experience but I’m feeling better and just want to look forward to the show on Saturday!"
The handsome dancer and his partner Tameka Empson were eliminated from the competition just three weeks in, but he has continued to make appearances every week in the group performance and even trained and danced with Anastacia a few weeks ago when her partner Brendan Cole was struck down with a chest infection.
Gorka joined the remaining contestants in the seaside resort over the weekend for the show’s Blackpool Tower special and partnered fellow professional Janette Manrara in a routine to Rick Astley’s seminal 1987 hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.
Despite being battered by a group of yobs over the weekend, Gorka is expected to rejoin the group this week for training ahead of the show in London this weekend.
A representative said: "Gorka was sadly the victim of an unprovoked incident in Blackpool on Saturday night but he will be back in training this week and is looking forward to the group routine next weekend."
It’s also believed he will partner Frankie Bridge – who came runner-up in 2014 – for the forthcoming ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Christmas special.
Gorka Márquez thought jaw was broken
