Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec avoided the “Strictly curse” and the show was actually a “blessing” for their relationship (Image: LORNA ROACH)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeStrictly Come Dancing pro dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec are happier than ever after welcoming their daughter Lyra into the world last year. As they geared up for their first Christmas as a family of three in 2023, Janette, 40, opened up on how the dance competition, which is often thought of as having a “curse” on couples, actually “saved” their relationship. The brunette beauty and mum-of-one dismissed the notion in an interview, as she reflected on her “soul-mate” relationship with Slovenian star Aljaž, 34. The couple met and got together three years before joining the programme, and at the time, they were wondering how they would cope with a long-distance relationship. Janette was living in Miami, Florida, where she’s from, and Aljaž was living in his home town in Slovenia.
Janette says Strictly saved her relationship with Aljaž
(Image: LORNA ROACH)
“We always say that with Strictly Come Dancing, there’s no curse for us, it’s a Strictly blessing because it really saved our relationship,” Janette explained to Best magazine. She went on to say: “Strictly came along and offered us a spot as professional dancers and that was the biggest blessing of our whole relationship. The show was a massive part of us staying together and getting married. “I’d like to presume we would have got married no matter what because we’re soulmates, but I think Strictly made it so much easier for our romance to really flourish,” Janette added. Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Janette and Aljaz welcomed their first child together, daughter Lyra, in 2023
(Image: INSTAGRAM/JANETTE MANRARA)
Aljaž made a triumphant return to the series last month after a two year hiatus, with the BBC saying he “graced the nation with his fancy footwork on Strictly for nine iconic series.” Ajjaz said of his comeback before taking part: “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.” The dancer added that he had missed being on the show for the last two years. “I got to look after my beautiful wife, my beautiful baby for two years. But I missed everything about Strictly,” he said. “I had an absolute ball on 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. 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.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnJanette ManraraAljaz SkorjanecStrictly Come DancingNigel HarmanBobby BrazierDianne BuswellKatya Jones
