Wikipedia

Aljaž Škorjanec

Aljaž Škorjanec (born 19 February 1990) is a Slovenian dancer and choreographer, who is known for appearing on the BBC series Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer from 2013 to 2021, and from 2024 onwards.[1][2]

Aljaž Škorjanec
Born (1990-02-19) 19 February 1990 (age 34)
Ptuj, SR Slovenia, Yugoslavia
Occupation(s)Dancer and choreographer
Spouse
​
(m. 2017)​
Children1

Career

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Aljaž Škorjanec was born in Ptuj, SR Slovenia. He is a 19-time Slovenian champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten Dance.[3] Between 2000 and 2008, his professional partner was Valerija Rahle Mbanwi.[4]

Strictly Come Dancing

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing

In September 2013, Škorjanec became a professional dancer on the eleventh series of the British television show, Strictly Come Dancing. He was partnered with model Abbey Clancy. On 30 November, they received the series' first perfect 40 for their Saturday Night Fever-themed Salsa. On 21 December, they won the series. He was the fourth professional to win in his first series of the show. The following year, he returned for the show's twelfth series, where he was partnered with This Morning presenter, Alison Hammond. They were the sixth couple to be eliminated from the competition. For the show's thirteenth series, he was partnered with Call the Midwife actress, Helen George. They were eliminated on week 11 of the competition, leaving in sixth place. For the show's fourteenth series, he was partnered with model Daisy Lowe. They were the seventh couple to be eliminated from the competition, leaving in eighth place. For the show's fifteenth series, he was partnered with actress and former model, Gemma Atkinson.[5] The couple reached the finals, but they finished as joint runners-up, behind winners Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner, Katya Jones.[6] For the show's sixteenth series, he was partnered with BBC newsreader and journalist Kate Silverton. The couple were eliminated on week 9 in Blackpool, leaving in eighth place. For the seventeenth series, he was partnered with socialite and chef, Emma Weymouth. They were eliminated on week 7, leaving in ninth place.[7] For the eighteenth series, he was partnered with BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter, Clara Amfo. For the nineteenth series, he was partnered with Dragons' Den entrepreneur and TV personality, Sara Davies. In March 2022, Škorjanec announced he would be leaving the show after nine years.[8] In July 2024, it was announced that Škorjanec would be returning as a professional for the twenty-second series.[9] On 7 September 2024 amid speculation suggesting Škorjanec left Strictly due to an altercation with a female colleague in 2022, he said he took a break from Strictly to become a father.[10] He was partnered with Love Island finalist Tasha Ghouri. She was the 2nd deaf contestant to compete after series 19 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Series Partner Place Average
Score
11 Abbey Clancy 1st 35.6
12 Alison Hammond 10th 24.6
13 Helen George 6th 33.0
14 Daisy Lowe 8th 31.8
15 Gemma Atkinson 2nd 31.0
16 Kate Silverton 8th 25.0
17 Emma Weymouth 9th 27.0
18 Clara Amfo 7th
19 Sara Davies 8th 28.5
22 Tasha Ghouri

Highest and lowest scoring performances per dance

Abbey Clancy

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On the eleventh series, Škorjanec was partnered with model Abbey Clancy.

Alison Hammond

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On the twelfth series, Škorjanec was partnered with television personality Alison Hammond.

Helen George

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On the thirteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with actress Helen George.

Daisy Lowe

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On the fourteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with model Daisy Lowe.

Gemma Atkinson

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On the fifteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with actress and model Gemma Atkinson.

Kate Silverton

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On the sixteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with journalist and newsreader Kate Silverton.

Emma Weymouth

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On the seventeenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with model and socialite Emma Weymouth.

Clara Amfo

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On the eighteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with radio presenter Clara Amfo.

Sara Davies

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On the nineteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with businesswoman and Dragons' Den star, Sara Davies.[11]

Tasha Ghouri

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On the twenty-second series, Škorjanec was partnered with model and television personality, Tasha Ghouri.

Dance tours and other professional engagements

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In August 2024, Škorjanec and Janette Manrara announced appearances at the 2025 "Dancing With The Stars Weekends".[12]

In 2020, Škorjanec and Manrara announced dates for their 2021 UK Tour "Remembering The Oscars".[13]

In October 2020, Škorjanec announced a 2021 West End Show "Here Come The Boys".[14]

In 2017, Škorjanec took part in the national Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour in 2017[citation needed] and, with Manrara, announced dates for their 2018 UK Tour "Remembering Fred".[15]

Personal life

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Škorjanec is a fan of FC Barcelona.[16][failed verification] Škorjanec is married to fellow dancer Janette Manrara.[17] In February 2023, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child in summer 2023.[18] Their daughter, Lyra, was born in July 2023.[19]

In 2020, Škorjanec explained his developing psoriasis at age 18, saying: "It affects my confidence and self esteem massively" and adding that it makes him self-conscious.[20] Aljaz started to use natural skincare products and document his journey to raise awareness.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Aljaž Škorjanec is leaving Strictly Come Dancing". 28 March 2022 – via bbc.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Aljaž Škorjanec leaves Strictly Come Dancing". the Guardian. 28 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Aljaž Skorjanec". BBC. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Details of Aljaz Skorjanec - Valerija Rahle Mbanwi | World DanceSport Federation at worlddancesport.org". worlddancesport.org.
  5. ^ "Who is Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant Gemma Atkinson?". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing's Joe McFadden says 'never in a million years' did he think he would win show". mirror.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  7. ^ "Pride & Prejudice: Emma Weymouth on sleeping with Longleat's lions and beating the blue-blooded bigots". Standard.
  8. ^ "Aljaž Škorjanec is leaving Strictly Come Dancing". BBC News. 28 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Aljaž Škorjanec returns to the Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom as a Professional Dancer". bbc.co.uk. BBC Media Centre. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Strictly dancer Aljaž Škorjanec says he took break 'to become a dad'". BBC News. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  11. ^ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Sara Davies". BBC. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  12. ^ "4* Weekend Break with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing". donaheys.co.uk. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Remembering The Oscars Tour 2020". Ents24. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Here Come The Boys". herecometheboysshow.com. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Remembering Fred Tour - Relive the Magic of Fred Astaire". Remembering Fred. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing - Aljaž Skorjanec - BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  17. ^ Henden, Amalie (27 October 2018). "Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec: When did Strictly professionals get married?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  18. ^ Schaverien, Tracy (19 February 2023). "Strictly's Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec announce first baby exclusively with HELLO!". hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  19. ^ Tatham, Phoebe (9 April 2024). "Janette Manrara's baby daughter Lyra is Aljaz's mini-me in adorable new photo". hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  20. ^ Crothers, Jen (27 October 2020). "Strictly's Aljaz has opened up about his skin condition struggle". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Celebrities with psoriasis and their skin photos: Giovanni Pernice, Aljaz Skorjanec, Saira Khan, Kim Kardashian, more". HELLO!. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
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