STRICTLY COME DANCING MAKES Gorka: Success is the best revenge

Stress is taking its toll on Moll

GORKA Marquez may be Strictly’s hottest professional dancer of this series, but he revealed how he nearly gave up on his dream after being bullied at school for choosing dancing over football.

He said he was taunted by school pals back in Spain where he grew up.

“I used to play football too, and the time for classes and football training were the same sometimes, so I’d tell my coach that I couldn’t make it and pretend I had other things to do,” he said. IN STEP Alexandra and Gorka “The other boys in my team said, ‘He likes dancing, he must me gay’.”

Gorka, 27, said his success is the best revenge against the bullies, who now tell him: “We’re the stupid ones – you’re dancing around with beautiful girls and we’re nothing.” He is partnering actress Alexandra Burke, 29. He added: “Everyone wants a good partner – someone who wants to work hard and enjoy the show.” TALENT Mollie with partner AJ POP star Mollie King is no stranger to performing in front of massive crowds – but she says she’s terrified of messing up her debut routine on Strictly.

The former Saturdays singer, 30, is tipped by bookies to be one of the finalists. Even the show’s most sharp-tongued judge, Craig Revel Horwood, declared her to be the contestant with the potential to lift the Glitterball Trophy.

But Mollie, who is partnered with AJ Pritchard, 22, is still quaking at the thought of her debut.

“It is totally scary being on one of the biggest shows on TV,” she said. “I would be gutted if I went out in the first few weeks.

“I want to get to the halfway point. I am very competitive.”