BBC Strictly Come Dancing star confirms bombshell return

The One Show's Alex Jones dropped a 'massive' Strictly Come Dancing bombshell just minutes into Monday's episode of the BBC show. The series made a triumphant return to our screens tonight after being temporarily replaced last week due to Euro 2024 and Wimbledon 2024 coverage.

Alex Jones and Lauren Laverne kicked off the show on a high note, teasing that they had some Strictly Come Dancing news that viewers wouldn't want to miss. Later, the duo revealed in a shock announcement that Aljaz Skorjanec was set to make a comeback to Strictly.

The professional dancer left the show after nine years in 2022, with his final performance airing in 2021. Addressing the audience at home, Alex announced: "We are starting the week with a huge announcement about Strictly."

Her co-host Lauren chimed in: "Ahead of the new series and its 20th birthday we have some exclusive news that you will not want to miss."

She later hinted: "It's not long till we share the big Strictly news and all I can say is that it involves a Strictly legend returning to the ballroom."

As the iconic Strictly theme tune began to play, Alex continued: "That music can only mean one thing, it's time for the Strictly big announcement. We can tell you that there is a Strictly legend and former champion who will be coming back to the ballroom next series and they are with us now."

She excitedly announced: "I can exclusively reveal that it is the one and only Aljaz."

The studio was then graced by the presence of pro dancer Aljaz, who joined Alex and Lauren for a chat, reports Wales Online.

Alex queried: "Are you relieved now that you can finally share the news? " To which Aljaz joyfully responded: "Yes. It has been a little while now since I've known and I couldn't wait to tell everyone that I'm going back."

Lauren probed further: "What are you most excited about? " Aljaz shared his enthusiasm: "I think everything. Strictly gets bigger and bigger every year and especially this year for the anniversary. It's a special show and I think it's part of British culture and it makes everything happy so that is why I do it."

Aljaz also opened up about his recent journey into fatherhood and how it's gearing him up for his comeback on the dance floor. He quipped that his daughter has already given him training in endurance, saying that she's taught him how to stay awake for three days straight, making his return to the show seem like a 'rest'.

In conclusion, he reflected: "I left two years ago because I really wanted to be a dad so I got to look after my pregnant wife then my beautiful little baby for a year. Now going back, the thing I'm most excited about is the moment when I get a video sent from home when the little one is standing in front of the telly pointing at it and looking at daddy. Imagine if she closes your eyes and Criag is giving me a ten, how beautiful will that be."

Strictly's Executive Producer Sarah James expressed her excitement about Aljaz's return, stating: "We are all so thrilled that Aljaz is back in the Strictly Ballroom, bringing his incredible choreography and passion for dance. During his nine series he was a firm favourite 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."