The moment that led Aljaž Škorjanec to quit Strictly as he announces return

is returning to Strictly Come Dancing after leaving the BBC juggernaut two years ago, but you may be wondering why he left in the first place.

He was a fan favourite on the reality show, and pretty successful over his nine series, even lifting the Glitterball trophy with model Abbey Clancy – but one moment changed everything for Aljaž.

The 34-year-old felt his time could be up on Strictly after competing in the 2021 series with Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies, after one conversation in particular.

Each professional dancer is responsible for their choreography ideas, music choices, and vision for the entire routine. Having worked on the series for nearly a decade, Aljaž began to find those tasks harder.

‘It took longer to create numbers, it took longer to come up with songs that hadn’t been used, that I hadn’t used,’ he told HELLO!

‘There was even an instance when I got this great idea; I was in the car… I sent the track to [the] producer saying “Oh my goodness this would be an amazing Argentine Tango, could you please find out for me who has done it, when has it been done…”

‘They call me back in literally two minutes and go, “Are you serious? It was you that did it three years ago…”

‘When those sorts of moments started happening, I was like, you know what, it’s time. And I never ever felt like I left anything on the dance floor.’

With his creative juices running a little dry, he broke Strictly fans’ hearts with an announcement in 2022 calling it a ‘tough decision’ to leave.

Now that he’s taken some time off he’s raring to go again, and feels more excited than ever.

‘I’m probably more excited now than I was when I first started,’ he stated while appearing on The One Show.

It’s a great year to make his big return as the show is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and so it’s sure to be even more glitzy when it returns to our screens in the autumn.

Aljaž, who also partnered Alison Hammond and Gemma Atkinson, said of his return: ‘So grateful for this very special opportunity. Can’t wait to be back in that iconic ballroom, and to get the chance for my little one to see me on the best show on TV.’

The Slovenian dancer is of course talking about his daughter Lyra, who he welcomed with It Takes Two host Janette Manrara, after his departure. While away from Strictly, he’s embraced being a stay-at-home father and quite rightly called out those who criticised his family’s choice.

We can’t wait to see Aljaž’s contagious enthusiasm back at Elstree Studios, and no doubt the extended break has led to fresh ideas for his lucky celebrity partner.

He isn’t the only Strictly icon returning – Amy Dowden will be back on the dancefloor. The Welsh dancer, 33, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and had to miss out on being a competitor on Strictly during the latest season.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice, 33, who is currently at the centre of a probe following allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour towards celebrity contestants, stepped down after eight years.