Aljaž Škorjanec
Born (1990-02-19) 19 February 1990
Occupation(s)Dancer and choreographer
Spouse
(m. 2017)
Children1

Aljaž Škorjanec (born 19 February 1990) is a Slovenian dancer and choreographer who has appeared on the BBC series Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer. In March 2022, he announced, via his Instagram account, that he was leaving the show.[1][2]

Career

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

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 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 on the 16 December, 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.

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

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.[8]

Dance tours and other professional engagements

In August 2023 Škorjanec and Janette Manrara announced appearances at the 2024 "Dancing With The Stars Weekends".[9]

In 2020 Škorjanec and Janette Manrara announced dates for their 2021 UK Tour "Remembering The Oscars".[10]

In October 2020, Škorjanec announced a 2021 West End Show "Here Come The Boys".[11]

In 2017 Škorjanec took part in the national Strictly Come Dancing - The Live Tour in 2017 and, with Janette Manrara, announced dates for their 2018 UK Tour "Remembering Fred".[12]

Personal life

Škorjanec is a fan of FC Barcelona.[13] Škorjanec is married to fellow dancer Janette Manrara.[14] In February 2023, Aljaz and Janette announced that they are expecting their first child in summer 2023 Their daughter, Lyra, was born on July 28 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.[15] Aljaz started to use natural skincare products and document his journey to raise awareness.[16]

References

  1. "Aljaž Škorjanec is leaving Strictly Come Dancing". 28 March 2022 via www.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". www.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. "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Sara Davies". BBC. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  9. "4* Weekend Break with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing". www.donaheys.co.uk. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  10. "Remembering The Oscars Tour 2020". Ents24. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  11. "Here Come The Boys". herecometheboysshow.com. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  12. "Remembering Fred Tour - Relive the Magic of Fred Astaire". Remembering Fred. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  13. "Strictly Come Dancing - Aljaž Skorjanec - BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. Henden, Amalie (27 October 2018). "Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec: When did Strictly professionals get married?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  15. Crothers, Jen (27 October 2020). "Strictly's Aljaz has opened up about his skin condition struggle". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  16. "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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