Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Gorka Marquez heartbreakingly claimed he still wants to be on the show in 20 years time just weeks before axe claims.
The Spanish native, 34, is reportedly one of five pro dancers on the show who bosses are considering cutting from the line-up next year.
However, it will seemingly be an unwelcome shock for Gorka, who previously claimed he has no plans to leave the show in the near future.
Ahead of the show's 20th anniversary series, Gorka was asked what he thinks the next 20 years for the BBC dancing show will look like.
Revealing his intentions to stay, he said: He responded: 'I don't know but I do hope I am still here in 20 years' time. I will be 53 but hopefully I’ll still be here.'
This year, Gorka was fifth to be eliminated from the competition with his celebrity dance partner Dr. Punam Krishan.
Some of the biggest and best loved stars on the show who have competed for years are at risk of being cut in a huge shake-up as bosses eye a younger generation of dancers, according to The Sun.
Those at risk of losing their place on the show are thought to be Nadiya Bychkova, 35, Neil Jones, 42, Karen Hauer, 42, Gorka and Katya Jones.
Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Gorka Marquez heartbreakingly claimed he still wants to be on the show in 20 years time just weeks before axe claims
The Spanish native, 34, is reportedly one of five pro dancers on the show who bosses are considering cutting from the line-up next year
This year, Gorka was fifth to be eliminated from the competition with his celebrity dance partner Dr. Punam Krishan
Away from Strictly, Gorka's other role recently shocked fans when he revealed he is also a judge on the Spanish version of the competition, Bailando Con Las Estrellas.
Gorka has shown his more serious side on the programme and even gave a score of two to one celebrity, who stormed off set.
He told the star: 'Where do I start? I'm a little speechless, and not because it was good. It's more bad than good'
On an episode of It Takes Two, Kai Widdrington interviewed Gorka about his role, and said: 'Earlier this year, Spain relaunched Bailando Con Las Estrellas.
'It is hosted by Argentinian model Valeria Mazza and one of Spain's well-known presenters, Jesús Vázquez. There are not three, not four, but five judges, including Blanca Li, journalist and writer Boris Izaguire, director of musicals Julia Gomez Cora, Antonia Dell'ate, and the fifth judge, I think you may recognise - it's our very own Gorka Marquez.'
Opening up about the 'savage' moment, Gorka said the celebrity stormed off set and refused to be filmed - before returning for the second half of the show.
Gorka talked about being on the show and gushed: 'I absolutely love it, I learned a lot that I can take with me as a professional now and to help the celebrities. I know what the judges want to see.'
Following the news about the axing, Strictly has been plunged into an ageism row as the professional dancers who are reportedly facing the axe have been revealed.
Strictly dancers who are reportedly facing the axe as bosses eye a younger generation of dancers have been revealed
Some of the biggest and best loved stars on the show who have competed for years are at risk of being cut in a huge shake-up, according to The Sun (pictured Nadiya Bychkova, Tom Dean)
Among those at risk are thought to be Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones (pictured), Karen Hauer , Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones, four of which have already been eliminated
Sources claimed the quintet have been dubbed the 'fading stars' of the lineup, with show bosses on the hunt for 'younger, up-and-coming counterparts.'
Currently Katya, 35, is the only professional still in the competition, but she was previously embroiled in a 'groping' scandal with her celebrity partner Wynne Evans.
In contrast, younger professionals like Jowita Przystal, 30, who is paired with Pete Wicks, and Vito Coppola, 32, dancing with Sarah Hadland, have wowed viewers.
Following a year that has seen the beloved BBC show hit by a string of scandals, sources are now claiming that bosses are planning to bring in a new generation of young dancers, with up to five veteran names at risk of being dropped.
A source told The Sun: 'The review of the line-up has always been about making a fresh start, and that was always going to be affected by which dancers performed well this series.
'The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars.
'And in many cases there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts. It's harsh but it's just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness.'
A representative for Strictly Come Dancing declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones for comment.
Viewers of the beloved show were split over the reports that the show shake-up means saying goodbye to some fan favourites
Following a year that has seen Strictly hit by a string of scandals, sources are now claiming that bosses are planning to bring in a new generation of young dancers (Karen Hauer pictured)
While some insisted they would be 'switching off' if the list of names reported were to leave, others admitted that the show could do with a refresh.
Those agains the axing, said: 'I will stop watching if Gorka and Katya are axed!'; 'This is so tone deaf! The pros are what the people love. People follow and support the pros as much, if not more, than the celebs. Wake up and axe a couple of the judges!'
'We need better and more traditional song choices and traditional routines'; 'They just need to add more male pros to balance with the girls'; 'UMMM WHAT'; 'If they do this then I predict the show won't last for much longer.. dropping Gorka would be a huge mistake, he's the reason many of us watch!';
'Not Katya and Gorka, they are incredible dancers are also good choreographers that the show cant' lose';
Some of the favourites. Yes, the show does change - but axing the viewers favourites in one go is shocking. I know TV changes every so often, but to get rid of Neil, Katya, Karen, Gorka etc. I think the viewers may change channels'
'It doesn't need a new lease of life, people have their favourite pros. They actually need to go back to basics with the themed weeks, over/under marking and dreadful song choices .'
One person said they expected Karen but defend others, saying: 'Expected Karen she's the longest serving female pro... However Nadiya can't leave - she needs to have her first female celeb next year. Katya's choreo is brilliant and Gorka needs to win after reaching the final one year with Alexandra Burke.'
However some agreed it was time for change, saying: 'It is somewhat needed, especially on the female side. Not sure I'd dump Gorka and Katya as they are still delivering in one way or another but there are others whose absence would be less missed.'
However some agreed it was time for change, saying: 'It is somewhat needed, especially on the female side'
Currently, only Katya is still competing on this year's Strictly, but she was previously embroiled in a 'groping' scandal with her celebrity partner Wynne Evans
Others said: 'Gorka!? No. Neil yes, but Gorka is a big mistake'; 'I agree with Neil going but the rest absolutely not! 'I think Karen should be axed but not Katya her choreography is too good! We need some more girls who are fun and cause chaos like Vito and Nikita though';
'Keep Katya but the rest of that list can go'; 'As long as Nikita and Johannes are safe'.
It was previously reported back in July that some of Strictly's biggest professional names were at risk of being axed, as bosses planned to bring in some fresh young names.
A source told The Sun: 'There's the fear that being on the show leaves them more open to feeling entitled and untouchable.
'It's not a done deal, and it's not just going to be a case of the oldest or longest-serving being shown the door. It would be a carefully considered process, with other factors taken into account too.
Before adding: 'The fact that the BBC are even considering making big changes and bringing in fresh blood is a sign of how keen they are to move on and make every effort to ensure nothing like this happens again'.
Strictly's milestone 20th year has been marred by scandal - after actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her. He was later cleared of ten of her 16 allegations.
The show was then hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked in July for 'kicking' his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.
While the BBC have declined to comment on the shake-up speculation, it marks the latest in a series of times the show has been accused of ageism.
