Yahoo News Aljaz Skorjanec’s special reason for Strictly 2024 return and why he left
Aljaz Skorjanec is making a comeback to Strictly after two years away from dancefloor
Aljaž Škorjanec will burst back onto our screens on Strictly 2024.
It is very happy news for Strictly Come Dancing fans as Škorjanec, 34, became one of the favourite professional dancers during his nine years on the BBC show. In his first year on Strictly in 2013, the dancer lifted the Glitterball trophy with model Abbey Clancy. Škorjanec also came runner-up with Gemma Atkinson in 2017.
Strictly's 20th anniversary is already shaping up to be an exciting watch. The choreographer has spent two years away from the Strictly dance floor but now he is back. Also returning this year is Amy Dowden who had to take a break last year during her battle with cancer. It comes amid talk about fan favourite Giovanni Pernice's exit.
We take a look at Škorjanec's return and why he left the BBC dancefloor in 2022...
Aljaz Skorjanec's return to Strictly 2024
The 19-time Slovenian champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten dance has a very special reason for returning to the BBC show. Devoted dad Škorjanec has set his heart on making his daughter Lyra proud of him, who will be watching at home every week.
He said: "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!"
He added: "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."
It Takes Two host Janette Manrara echoed her husband's sentiments saying she couldn't wait to be watching at home with their daughter Lyra every Saturday night. She wrote: "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. But mostly, I cannot wait for Lyra and I to be sat together on Saturday nights watching Ati (Dad in Slovenian) dancing on our telly. We’re so proud of you Bučko, and we love you to the moon and back!"
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Why Aljaz Skorjanec left Strictly
Manrara left Strictly in 2021 and the following year Škorjanec left the BBC show. The couple had enjoyed many years together competing as professional dancers with their own celebrity partners. Since leaving the BBC show, they have had a huge change in their personal lives as they have become parents.
Last year, the professional dancer lifted the lid on why he had decided to leave the show the year after his wife. The choreographer explained he felt he was struggling with his creativity. On his joint podcast with his wife Twist and Shout, he said: "I kind of got to the point where my creative juices were not flowing as easily as they did in 2013 when I first started."
Reflecting, Škorjanec gave an example where he came up with a good idea but it turned out he had already used that idea before. He added: "It took longer to create numbers, it took longer to come up with songs that hadn't been used, that I hadn't used."
In March 2022, Škorjanec revealed he knew Strictly 2021 was going to be his last. He wrote on Instagram: "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. @jasongilkison, @sarahjamesface, @kimwinston, @jack.will.g are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show - I am forever grateful to them!"
