The One Show Alex Jones made a ‘huge’ Strictly Come Dancing announcement just minutes into Monday’s instalment of the BBC programme. The series made a return to our screens tonight after it was taken off air last week to make way for Euro 2024 and Wimbledon 2024 coverage.
And Alex Jones and Lauren Laverne got off to a strong start as they revealed they had a Strictly Come Dancing news viewers would not want to miss. Later the pair revealed that Aljaz Skorjanec was going to make a return to Strictly in a bombshell announcement.
The professional dancer quit the show after nine years back in 2022, with his last appearance airing in 2021. Speaking to viewers at home, Alex said: “We are starting the week with a huge announcement about Strictly.”
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Co-star Lauren jumped in: “Ahead of the new series and its 20th birthday we have some exclusive news that you will not want to miss.”
She later teased: “It’s not long till we share the big Strictly news and all I can say is that it involves a Strictly legend coming back to the ballroom.”
The Strictly theme tune started to play as Alex went on to say: “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 continued: “I can exclusively reveal that it is the one and only Aljaz.” Pro dancer Aljaz danced into the studio and joined Alex and Lauren.
Alex asked: “Are you relieved now that you can finally share the news?” Aljaz replied: “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.”
“What are you most excited about?” Lauren asked. Aljaz revealed: “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 went on to speak about his new life as a first time dad and how it has helped him prepare for his return to the dance floor. He joked that his daughter has taught him how to stay up for three days and being back on the show will feel like a ‘rest’.
Rounding off the interview, he added: “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.”
Speaking about Aljaz return, Strictly's Executive Producer Sarah James said: “We are all so thrilled that Aljaž 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.”
