BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Aljaz Skorjanec admits 'concern' and says 'the sooner you realise'
Aljaz Skorjanec has shared his 'only concern' when it comes to being in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as he makes his much-welcomed comeback.
The Slovenian dancer delighted fans over the summer when he revealed he was returning to the BBC One dance contest as a professional dancer following a two-year hiatus.
Aljaz was part of the show for nine series before leaving before the 2022 series. Fans will remember he lifted the Glitterball in his debut year with Abbey Clancy in 2013 before later being runner-up in 2017 with celebrity partner, and now friend, Gemma Atkinson.
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He said in a statement about his return: "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."
Aljaz, who has welcomed his first child, Lyra Rose, with his Strictly star wife Janette Manrara during his time away, added: "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!"
Now, during a new Q&A, Aljaz was asked to explain the feeling he gets just before he walks out into the iconic Strictly Ballroom to perform. It is then that he admitted: "I try to keep things calm, but there are definitely weeks where not everything has been rehearsed or perfected.
"I never worry about how I feel – my focus is always on how my celebrity partner feels. It’s not about me. If I can’t get myself calm, I have no business standing on that ballroom floor. My only concern is them. The sooner you realise it’s not about you, the easier your job becomes."
Speaking about being involved in Strictly's 20th anniversary year, the dad-of-one said: "It’s been a privilege really. This is my 10th year so I’ve done half of them and the show has changed my life. Changed my life for the better.
"nd it gets better every single year. And I think on the 20th anniversary it’s going to be even more special. I was there when Bruce was presenting. It’s a testament to how good it is that it’s been running for 20 years."
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series at 7.20pm on Saturday, September 14.