BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans spot 'issue' as show legend returns after Giovanni's exit
A Strictly Come Dancing legend will return to the BBC programme after taking a two-year hiatus just weeks after it was announced Giovanni Pernice had been dropped from the 2024 line-up.
Aljaz Skorjanec will return to Strictly Come Dancing after he stepped away from the dancefloor. The BBC favourite couldn't contain his excitement as the professional dancer shared his delight over the news and neither could the fans, but others spotted an issue.
After a two-year hiatus, fan favourite Aljaž is waltzing back onto our screens for the 20th year of the nation’s favourite dance show. The news was revealed this evening (Monday 8 July) on The One Show.
The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this Autumn. Addressing his return, the pro-dancer exclaimed: “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.
"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!”
Fans spotted a slight issue with a show favourite, who some claimed has been "benched" despite being a longstanding member of the Strictly cast.
One person penned: "The lengths they'll go to to keep Neil on the bench #scd #strictly," before adding: "Sorry Neil, we slipped and accidentally rehired someone that left 3 years ago."
Despite being a part of Strictly for more than seven years professional dancer Neil Jones has rarely been paired with a celebrity partner.
The 41-year-old has been part of the BBC One competition since 2016, although viewers have rarely seen him compete in the series.
Although he danced with two stars on the Christmas specials, it wasn’t until he was partnered with Alex Scott in 2019 that he competed in the main show for the first time as fans fear he will be snubbed again in this series.
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Meanwhile, fans rushed to comment on the big announcement, as one gushed: "@AljazSkorjanec is just pure positivity & sunshine on #Strictly. His support, belief & enthusiasm for his celeb partners is inspiring - and celeb would be lucky to be paired either way him! Bring it on!"
Another penned: "Well. That was unexpected. Welcome back my former favourite professional Dancer #Strictly."
A third wrote: "Yaaaaasssss ! Alijaz is baaaaack baby! #strictly." A fourth remarked: "Well this is just the best news ever!!"(sic)
A fifth added: "Pernice out, Aljaz returning?? Interesting #Strictly."
Fan favourite Giovanni Pernice has been dropped from the show after alleged claims of misconduct about his "militant" style of training with his celebrity partners.
Aljaz last appeared on Strictly when he was partnered with Dragon's Den star Sara Davies in 2021.
In a statement shared at the time, he said: "A little while ago I made the tough decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last. The show has given me an opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend for the last 9 years.
"The love and support I got from the team of producers was second to none. Louise Rainbow, Sarah James, Kim Winston, Jack Gledhill are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show – I am forever grateful to them!"