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Aljaž Škorjanec
Born (1990-02-19) 19 February 1990 (age 34)
Ptuj, SR Slovenia, Yugoslavia
Occupation Dancer and choreographer
Spouse(s)
Janette Manrara
(m. 2017)
Children 1

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.

Career

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

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. The couple reached the finals, but they finished as joint runners-up, behind winners Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner, Katya Jones. 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. 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. In July 2024, it was announced that Škorjanec would be returning as a professional for the twenty-second series. On 7 September 2024 amid speculation suggesting Škorjanec left Strictly due to an altercation with a female colleauge in 2022, he said he took a break from Strictly to become a father. He was partnered with Love Island finalist Tasha Ghouri. She is 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

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

Alison Hammond

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

Helen George

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

Daisy Lowe

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

Gemma Atkinson

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

Kate Silverton

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

Emma Weymouth

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

Clara Amfo

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

Sara Davies

On the nineteenth series, Škorjanec was partnered with British businesswoman, Sara Davies.

Tasha Ghouri

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

Dance tours and other professional engagements

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

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

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

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

Personal life

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

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. Aljaz started to use natural skincare products and document his journey to raise awareness.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Aljaž Škorjanec para niños

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