Strictly legend and former champ to return to BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing professional Aljaž Škorjanec has revealed that he is set to return to the iconic BBC One show for the upcoming series following a two year hiatus. After stepping back from the show in 2022, the professional dancer announced that his hiatus had come to an end and that he would be rejoining for the brand-new series for Strictly’s 20th year.
During an appearance on The One Show on Monday, 8 July, the 34 year old explained that he had “missed everything” about the show. “What haven't I missed. I got to look after my beautiful wife, my beautiful baby for two years. But I missed everything about Strictly,” he said.
Elsewhere, as the doting dad to daughter Lyra, Aljaž added that he was hoping to make his little one proud as he reflect on the “exciting challenge” that being a parent has been.
“I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor,” he said.
“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!”
As a 19-time Slovenian champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten dance, viewers can expect to see more of Aljaž’s incredible footwork and choreography as he takes to the dance floor.
Having appeared on the show for nine series, the dad-of-one lifted the Glitterball back in 2013 alongside Abbey Clancy and finished in second place in 2017 with actress Gemma Atkinson.
With the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing marking two decades on our screens, the show is set to be even more special than usual, and will bring plenty of glitz and glamour when it returns to our screens later on this year.
The exciting new comes after Aljaž, who shares daughter Lyra with wife Janette Manrara, spoke to OK! about being a stay-at-home dad and how life has changed since welcoming his daughter into the world.
"Both of us have always dreamed of being hands-on parents, but I’ve always dreamed of being there fully, so we put the cards on the table and made the decision. I couldn’t put it down to one specific thing – it was just the most natural and obvious thing for us as a family," he said.
"Every parent, every relationship, every dynamic is completely different. But for us, this one was the one that made the most sense, and I feel like both of us really feel that. Whatever decision you make, as long as you do it with love, it’s always going to be the right one."
