Aljaž Škorjanec is set to make a triumphant return to “Strictly Come Dancing” this autumn after a two-year hiatus. The Slovenian dancer, who has been a beloved figure on the show, will join 14 other professionals to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the popular dance competition.
Expressing his excitement, the 34-year-old dancer shared, “I’m ecstatic to be back. I had an absolute ball during my nine-year stint on Strictly. During my time away, I became a parent, which has been an exciting challenge in itself, and now I’m ready to experience the Strictly magic again. It feels so right to be coming back. I missed the fun, glitter, and the judges of course, and I hope to make my daughter Lyra proud!”
Škorjanec and his wife, Janette Manrara, who also graced the Strictly stage as a professional dancer for eight series, welcomed their first child, Lyra, in July 2023. The couple, married since 2017, has openly shared their journey to parenthood, revealing they were “on the verge of IVF” when “in the middle of the process, she kind of came along.”
Manrara celebrated her husband’s return by sharing a heartwarming photo of Škorjanec with their daughter on Instagram, captioning it, “We started our @bbcstrictly journey together back in 2013, and now for the 20th-year anniversary, we’ll both be back on your screens once again! I am so happy the country gets to enjoy the smiliest man in showbiz once again.” Manrara is also making her return to the Strictly family as one of the hosts of the spin-off show, “It Takes Two.”
Škorjanec is a highly decorated dancer, boasting 19 championships in Ballroom, Latin, and Ten Dance. He made a sensational debut on “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2013, winning the Glitterball trophy with his celebrity partner, Abbey Clancy. In 2017, he achieved runner-up status with Gemma Atkinson. His other notable partners on the show have included model Daisy Lowe, “Call the Midwife” actress Helen George, and “Dragon’s Den” star Sara Davies.
Strictly’s executive producer, Sarah James, expressed her enthusiasm about Škorjanec’s return, stating, “Everyone is so thrilled that Aljaž is returning. During his nine series, he was a firm favorite with viewers across the country. I’m sure everyone is in for a treat as he joins us to entertain the nation for a very special 20th year of the show.”
Janette Manrara left fans in tears as she shared an update in which she told them: “Today I danced”. The Strictly Come Dancing star has been pretty much non-stop since the arrival of her first child with her husband Aljaž Škorjanec last summer. The BBC One dance show’s former pro dancers announced their daughter Lyra Rose Škorjanec’s arrival on July 29 in a social media post featuring a black and white photo showing the family of three for the first time after their bundle of joy arrived via C-section in a London hospital.
They have since been keeping their fans and followers updated on their new lives with their little ones in tow – including playdates with their Strictly pals. But Janette has also been open and honest since she returned to work a couple of months after Lyra’s arrival.
The 40-year-old was back on screens in September as the co-host of Strictly’s BBC Two spin-off It Takes Two and also hit the road towards the end of the year with Aljaž on their ‘Dancing in a Winter Wonderland’ tour. But over the weekend, Janette was once again back dancing, this time at Donahey’s as part of their Dancing with the Stars weekend. Sharing a picture from the event, in which she dazzled in a black sparkling dress that boasted an open split down one side of her body, Janette said: “Today I danced [white heart emoji].”
“Feeling an immense sense of gratitude. It was so wonderful to be back doing what I love most and to receive the most wonderful reception from everyone. Thank you @donaheys for giving us the space to share our passion for dance w/ everyone who attended.”
“To everyone who joined our classes, well done for taking that step and coming through the door to learn to dance. You were all so wonderful! Thank you also to @dsilondon for all of my beautiful dresses! We’ll see you once again in July.”
And the comments quickly came flooding in with Strictly dancer Johannes Radebe kicking things off by posting two simple red love heart emojis. @mrsmandyphillips commented: “It was magical. Not a dry eye in the ballroom.” @phoebe18s wrote: “It was amazing! Our foxtrot lesson was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it! A lot of laughs this weekend! All very special! Your dresses looked gorgeous.” @helenlittleford replied: “Your lesson was fab and your dancing was phenomenal. Your tribute to @robinwindsor was beautiful.” @the_original_mrsp shared: “Thank you for teaching us and your showcase was just amazing and very emotional, we were all right there with you in the moment.” @tracybakes18 added: “Janette what a wonderful showcase and your tribute and emotion towards Robin was something I will never forget. Thank you for reaching a complete beginner to foxtrot.”
As Aljaž Škorjanec prepares to return to the Strictly stage, fans eagerly anticipate the magic he will bring to the dance floor once again. His return, coupled with the joy of new parenthood, promises to make this season of Strictly Come Dancing one to remember.
Source: BBC
